The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is a piece of UK legislation that was introduced in response to various incidents of serious injury or death resulting from attacks by aggressive and uncontrolled dogs, particularly on children. These incidents received heavy tabloid attention, causing widespread public concern over the keeping of dangerous dogs and a resulting legislative response.

Under the 1991 Act (and as amended in 1997) it is illegal to own any Specially Controlled Dogs without specific exemption from a court. The dogs have to be muzzled and kept on a leash in public, they must be registered and insured, neutered, tattooed and receive microchip implants. The Act also bans the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs, even if they are on the Index of Exempted Dogs.[1]

Four types in particular were identified by the Act:

* Pit Bull Terrier (a description which has led to some confusion, as the “Pit bull” is not a breed in and of itself but encompasses a range of breeds)
* Japanese Tosa
* Dogo Argentino
* Fila Brasileiro

The Act also cover cross breeds of the above four types of dog. Dangerous dogs are classified by ‘type’, not by breed label. This means that whether a dog is prohibited under the Act will depend on a judgement about its physical characteristics, and whether they match the description of a prohibited ‘type’. This assessment of the physical characteristics is made by a court.

The Index of Exempted Dogs is maintained by the Animal Welfare section of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which administers the registration of specially-controlled dogs in England and Wales.

In 1991 and 1992 details of all Specially Controlled Dogs and their owners and keepers had to be added to the Index of Exempted Dogs. From early 1992 to 1997 no dogs were allowed to be added to the Index. In 1997 The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997 was passed which made some changes.[2] From 1997 any Court was able to order that a specific dog be added to the Index by the issue of a Court Order.

Under the 1991 Act as amended it remains illegal to own any of these dogs without specific exemption from a court. The dogs have to be muzzled and kept on a leash in public, they must be registered and insured, neutered, tattooed and receive microchip implants.

There have been several test cases of the Act, most famously Dempsey (a pit bull terrier) who in 1995 was finally reprieved from a destruction order, to widespread media attention. The definition of the word “type” in the legislation was of particular controversy, as was the lack of discretion that the Act gives magistrates.

The Act has been described as a piece of rushed legislation which was an overreaction to a transient public mood.[4][5] The Act is sometimes cited as an unfavourable example of such legislation, and in January 2007 was included in public responses to a BBC Radio 4 poll of unpopular UK legislation.

Article Source

1. ^ DEFRA leaflet
2. ^ 1997 The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997
3. ^ DEFRA leaflet
4. ^ BBC NEWS | UK | Dog control laws and pit bulls
5. ^ The Lords is the more democratic house - Telegraph
6. ^ fabians.org.uk
7. ^ Whatever happened to dangerous dogs?
8. ^ BBC NEWS | UK | Hunting ban tops ‘unpopular’ poll
9. ^ Restricted Dog Breeds in Rockingham, Western Australia

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