Dealing with Dangerous Dogs

Two types of dangerous dog

When dealing with a dangerous dog in your area, it helps to understand that the law treats two separate issues. The first involves specific breeds that are banned outright in the UK. The second covers any dog, regardless of breed or size, that behaves dangerously or is out of control. Both situations fall under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, but they work differently in practice.

If a neighbour's dog is causing ongoing problems through aggressive behaviour, escaping repeatedly, or threatening people and other animals, you have several options available. Understanding which legal provisions apply can help you determine the appropriate actions to take.

Noise Complaint Letter Builder

Generate a formal noise complaint letter ready to send. Takes 2 minutes.

Try our Noise Complaint Letter Builder free, here on this site →

Banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it illegal to own, breed, sell, give away or abandon certain types of dog in the UK. This applies whether the dog is pedigree or a cross-breed with characteristics of a banned type. The banned types are:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro

The government announced in late 2023 that the XL Bully would be added to this list, with restrictions introduced in phases. Owners of registered XL Bullies may keep them under strict conditions, including obtaining a Certificate of Exemption, but breeding, selling and allowing them in public without a muzzle and lead are prohibited. Check GOV.UK for the current status of these restrictions.

If someone owns a banned dog without proper exemption, they can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to six months. The court may also order the dog to be destroyed. For current penalties and exemption requirements, check the GOV.UK website, as rules and thresholds can change.

If you believe someone in your neighbourhood owns a banned breed illegally, you can report this to the police. Where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, police have powers to seize dogs suspected of being a banned type, though this process may involve court orders. The dog will usually be assessed by experts to determine whether it meets the physical characteristics of a prohibited breed. This assessment focuses on physical features rather than DNA or documented ancestry.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Dogs that are dangerously out of control

A separate part of the Dangerous Dogs Act covers any dog that behaves dangerously, regardless of breed. A dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or if there are reasonable grounds for a person to feel they might be injured.

This applies in public places and, since 2014, on private property as well. So if a neighbour's dog attacks someone in their own garden, or even inside their home, the law still applies. The only exception is if the dog attacks a trespasser in the owner's home.

Owners can face serious consequences if their dog injures someone. Penalties depend on the severity of the incident and can include prison sentences of up to five years for causing injury. Fatal attacks can result in sentences of up to 14 years. The court may order the dog to be destroyed or impose a control order requiring the owner to keep the dog muzzled, on a lead, or in a secure enclosure.

If you have been threatened or attacked by a dog, or witnessed an attack on someone else, report this to the police. They can investigate and take action against the owner. Collecting evidence such as photographs of injuries, witness contact details and notes on when and where the incident happened is crucial for any potential legal action.

What you can do about a problem dog

Not every problem with a neighbour's dog rises to the level of a police matter. Some situations involve dogs that bark constantly, escape regularly, or intimidate people without actually attacking. These cases can still be addressed, but through different routes.

Your local council has powers to deal with dogs that cause nuisance or anti-social behaviour. Many councils have dog control orders or Public Spaces Protection Orders that set rules for dog behaviour in certain areas. Contact your council's environmental health or anti-social behaviour team to report ongoing issues. They may issue warnings, fixed penalty notices or take court action against persistent offenders.

If the dog's behaviour forms part of a wider pattern of anti-social behaviour from your neighbour, this can strengthen your case. Keep a diary of incidents with dates, times and descriptions. This record will be useful if you need to make a formal complaint.

Speaking directly to your neighbour may resolve the problem, though this depends on your relationship with them and whether you feel safe doing so. Some owners do not realise their dog is causing problems, though others may be defensive or dismissive when approached.

For situations involving injury or serious threat, always contact the police first. For ongoing nuisance behaviour, your council is usually the right starting point. If your complaints to the council or police do not produce results, you can escalate the matter by requesting a formal review of the decision or contacting your local councillor or MP.

You can also seek advice from Citizens Advice if you are unsure how to proceed or feel your complaints are not being taken seriously. For more complex disputes or where you have suffered injury, consulting a solicitor may be necessary to understand your options for civil action.

The law gives authorities real powers to deal with dangerous and nuisance dogs. Using the right channel for your specific situation will give you the best chance of getting the problem resolved.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Noise Complaint Letter Builder lets you generate a formal noise complaint letter ready to send. Takes 2 minutes. Try it now →