New rule bans leaving children alone with banned dogs in England and Wales
From today, 1 November 2026, owners in England and Wales must not leave a child under the age of 12 alone in close contact with a banned-breed dog in a home or garden without adult supervision. The rule is a new condition of the Certificate of Exemption, the document that allows owners to legally keep a banned breed.
The five banned types are the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully. The XL Bully was added to the banned list on 1 February 2024, while the other four have been banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Owning one of these dogs is otherwise illegal, and exempted dogs must already be neutered, microchipped, muzzled and kept on a lead in public.
Breaking the new condition can lead to the dog being seized and the owner being prosecuted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The government said it made the change because evidence shows children face a greater risk of serious injury from dog attacks at home. Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said: “The safety of children must always come first.” Northern Ireland has brought in a matching rule from the same date.
Why it matters
The rule targets the home, where children are most likely to spend time around a familiar dog without an adult nearby. Tens of thousands of exempted banned-breed dogs live in homes across the UK, so the change affects a large number of families. It draws a clear line: keeping one of these dogs is allowed only if a child is never left unsupervised with it.
What happens next
Owners of exempted dogs will need to make sure an adult is always present when a child under 12 is near the dog at home or in the garden. The government said further guidance would be published ahead of the rule taking effect, and it keeps dog-control rules under review.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-15/9662 (UK Parliament, 22 June 2026)
- https://www.govwire.co.uk/news/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs/new-safety-measures-introduced-to-protect-children-around-banned-dog-breeds-g1882698 (GovWire / Defra announcement, 9 June 2026)
- https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/new-law-affecting-60000-dogs-34827759 (Edinburgh Live, 30 October 2026)
- https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/Keeping%20Children%20Safe%20Around%20Banned%20Breed%20Dogs%20in%20the%20Home.pdf (DAERA Northern Ireland guidance, September 2026)
