Dangerous dogs UK

[staffweiler_mastiff]

In the UK pit bulls, american staffs, tosas, filas and dogos are all banned breeds. I was just wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to have any of these breeds in the UK with some sort of license etc? I think it is ridiculous that responsible knowledgeable dog enthusiasts are unable to have a dog which, if well bred, socialised and trained can be an excellent pet!

 

[gracelund]

I've never heard they were banned you can still buy them from breeders, they are on the dangerous dog list and are suppose to be on leads when out but I have met pleant of friendly staffs of lead in the park where I walk my goldens, in fact their are two in my training class

 

[staffweiler_mastiff]

Yeah Staffordshire bull terriers are not banned, its the American stafforshire terrier that is. They are all banned though. Ill try to find some info.

 

[staffweiler_mastiff]

Dangerous dogs

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, as amended in 1997 bans the ownership, breeding, sale and exchange of certain types of fighting dogs – the ban currently covers pure breeds and cross breeds with the same physical and behavioural characteristics as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. The maximum fine for having a banned dog is £5000 and/or 6 months in prison and the dog may be destroyed. Before the act became law, owners could claim an exemption certificate by entering the dogs’ details into an Index of Exempted Dogs. Exemptions were only granted if the dogs were neutered, tattooed and microchipped. They must also be on a lead and muzzled in a public place and the owners must have insurance against their dog injuring someone. Any new dog brought into the country can only be given an exemption by the Courts which means that it is impossible to bring a dog into the country without breaking the law.

 

[staffweiler_mastiff]

Maybe the American Staff isnt then. Im not sure. Im just sure I read it was because they were considered the same as Pit bulls.

 

[gracelund]

Thank you for clearing that up for me, having a blonde moment it's sad that the goverment just rush in and ban anything they dont understand. I have Goldens which I show do obedience and also field trials and they are breathing down our necks because we use our dogs to retrieve game birds. any dog if pushed far enough can really hurt someone. I train dogs occasionally and I have never been bitten by a large or medium size dog but have lost count of small dog bites they just don’t have the power behind the bite that a large dog has, but if I were a child they could really hurt me

 

[Renee750il]

One proof of their ignorance is classifying Filas as fighting dogs Filas are - as a breed - remarkably affable with other dogs . . .

 

[staffweiler_mastiff]

Exactly! and the dogo is usually used as a hunting dog.

 

[Dizzy]

No - I don't think you can import them at all..

All remaining dogs had to be licensed and spayed/neutered as far as I am aware. Any dogs bred after then ban had to be pts.

That isn't to say there aren't some unknown lurkers somewhere.

 

[staffweiler_mastiff]

So therefore if some one has a particular interest in one of these breeds and wants one, they have to become a criminal just to own one!! Its ridiculous!