Our campaign to end breed specific legislation (BSL)

We know that the current law is ineffective at protecting public safety and fails dogs like Duncan and Lola and we’re campaigning to change it. And according to NHS data, the number of hospital admissions for injuries caused by dogs continues to rise year on year.

Breed is not a reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour and legislating purely on the appearance of a dog does not deal with the root cause of the problem. We therefore need a new approach that focuses on solutions that will protect the public, as well as safeguard dog welfare.

What does the current law say?

Section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act now bans five types of breed based on their physical appearance, rather than whether the dog has behaved dangerously. 

The word ‘type’ is important because it means that it isn’t just pure breeds that are illegal to own, sell, breed, give away or abandon, but crossbreeds of these or any dog which fits the physical description of these breeds as well. So, a dog can be seized and killed based on their head and body measurements alone.

What dog breed types are banned?

It’s illegal to own, sell, breed, give away or abandon: 

• pitbull terriers
• Japanese tosas
• dogo Argentinos
• fila Brasilerios
• American XL bullies (added in 2023)  
• crossbreeds of these breeds
• any dog which fits the physical description of these breeds

Why the law needs to change

The law unfairly punishes well-behaved dogs and focuses too much on what a dog looks like. It has torn much-loved pets away from their families and has failed to protect the public from irresponsible dog owners. 

Public safety

This legislation has not been effective at preventing dog attacks. In fact, data from English and Welsh police forces shows recorded out-of-control dog causing injury offences increased from 19,767 in 2018 to 31,920 in 2024.

Stray dogs

As a pet charity with animal hospitals and rehoming centres around the country, we often take in stray dogs. When no owner comes forward, we find stray dogs loving new families – but dogs who look like a banned breed are denied this happy ever after. The law bans us from rehoming stray banned types of dog, even if they have the temperament and behaviour to become sociable pets and pose no danger to society.  

The impact on animal welfare professionals

There’s no evidence to suggest that banned breeds pose any additional threat to the public than legal types of dog but the law asks vets to euthanise healthy dogs that have never caused anyone any harm.

Asking vets, vet nurses, behaviourists and others to go against their professional judgement to enforce a law which kills healthy animals is heartbreaking.

Owned dogs

Owners of well-behaved family dogs who look like a banned breed must prove they are not a danger to the public. But the process is often stressful for these pets, who must often stay in kennels for considerable periods while an assessment is done. 
If they prove they pose no threat, they must still follow harsh restrictions such as not being allowed off lead and wearing a muzzle in public places or while travelling in a car. These restrictions are in place for the rest of the dog’s life.

Lola’s life affected forever

Lola was taken by officers and kept for two nights because they deemed the affectionate American bulldog cross staffie a risk after her measurements categorised her to be a pit bull terrier.

Her owner, Anita, was left desperately trying to find out where Lola was and what was happening to her. She was then forced to plead guilty in court to owning a banned dog. 

Despite the court ruling Lola was no risk to the public, the law still meant she received a sentence of lifelong restrictions, including wearing a muzzle at all times in public, even if she’s travelling inside a car.

Lola was so traumatised by her two days in kennels that she had stopped eating and began urinating around the house once she was returned home – something she had never done before. 

Read her full story

Duncan the gentle giant

Duncan was brought to us as an injured stray. Unfortunately, the Status Dogs Unit (SDU) confirmed he was of illegal type and would have to be euthanised if no owner came forward to claim him within seven days.

Our team who looked after Duncan described him as a gentle giant who was very well behaved. He knew basic commands and, if he had been another type of dog, would had made a great companion to someone. The law meant Duncan was denied that chance.