Dog owners across the UK are being warned of a new law coming into force on November 1. The law, which will impact over 50,000 people, is "about putting safety of children first".
The government has confirmed that it will become a criminal offence to leave a child under the age of 12 unsupervised in close contact with banned dog breeds in a private setting. These include five prohibited breeds in the UK - XL Bullies, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros. The new law will target domestic environments, such as inside a home, garden, or other private properties.
Penalties and enforcement
Any dog owners who fail to provide appropriate adult supervision face penalties, including a six-month prison sentence or fines of up to £5,000. They also face the potential seizure or destruction of their dog.
As reported by Birmingham Live, Dr Samantha Gaines, an RSPCA dog welfare expert and lead on dog control, said: "Our advice to all parents with dogs is to never leave kids and dogs alone, unsupervised."
Expert concerns and context
She added: "The bond between dogs and children can be absolutely wonderful, but it’s important to remember that pets and young kids communicate very differently and, no matter how well we think we know our dogs, there are sometimes instances when they bite.
"Children are more likely to get bitten than adults – so we agree with the basis of this requirement, which can also kickstart a public debate around how we keep young children safe around all dogs.
"However, we’re really disappointed that restricting this requirement solely to section 1 dogs further compounds the idea that some dogs are dangerous and others aren’t purely because of how they look.
"Any dog – whether a banned type or not – has the potential to bite and we want to remind all dog owners that they should never leave dogs and children unsupervised."
Background and recent incidents
The XL Bully has become synonymous with dog attacks in the UK. Ownership is restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and since 1 February 2024 it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.
However, statistics show that overall dog attacks causing injury have increased from 29,400 to 32,000 cases annually since the ban was implemented.
Earlier this month, 24-year-old Kelcie Read, from Bristol, was given a suspended prison sentence after her XL bully dog attacked and killed her cousin. Morgan Dorsett, 19, died from neck injuries after being attacked by the dog in Reed's flat in February 2025.
The Labour Party said: "While this legal requirement applies to banned breed dogs and children under 12, many of the principles in this guidance may also be relevant to other dogs, children of different ages, and vulnerable adults.
"All dog owners should consider how they supervise interactions between dogs and children and take steps to reduce the risk of harm where appropriate."
The animal welfare minister, Sue Hayman, added: "No child should ever be left alone with a dangerous dog. These rules are about putting safety of children first."
