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New Law: Keep Kids From Dangerous Dogs!
9 Jun
Summary
- Children under 12 cannot be left alone with dangerous dogs.
- Owners face fines or pet seizure for violations.
- New law targets XL bullies and similar breeds.
New legislation in England and Wales now makes it illegal to leave children under the age of 12 unsupervised with certain dangerous dog breeds, including the XL bully. This crackdown follows numerous attacks by these breeds on children, including tragic incidents last year.
Those who violate these new rules face potential fines and the seizure of their pets. The legislation, which came into effect on November 1, is an extension of existing restrictions for owning exempt dogs of banned breeds.
Animal welfare experts emphasize that no child should ever be left alone with any dog, as children are more susceptible to bites than adults. While the RSPCA has expressed disappointment that the ban focuses on appearance rather than broader dog control measures, they agree on the principle of supervised interactions.
Dog attacks in England and Wales have seen an increase, with 31,920 recorded attacks on people in the year leading up to 2024. The laws also prohibit selling, abandoning, breeding, or allowing XL bullies to stray.
