Dangerous dogs

We promote responsible dog ownership, alongside the police, the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust, Hackney Homes and others.

If you need any more information about dangerous dogs you should contact the police by calling the non-emergency telephone number 101.

How to report a dangerous dog

• If you encounter a dog you believe to be dangerous and it is an emergency call 999 immediately
• If it is not an emergency, call the police non-emergency number, 101
• If you believe you own one of the banned types of dog (see list below) or know of the whereabouts of one of these types of dogs, contact us

Dangerous Dogs Act

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence to allow a dog of any breed to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

If you have concerns regarding a dangerous dog, please contact the police non-emergency number 101 and tell them:

• where and when the dog was last seen
• what the behaviour of the dog was
• a description of the dog (i.e. breed, size, colour, distinguishing features)
• any known information regarding the owner

Banned types

Four types of dog were also banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991:

• the Pit Bull Terrier
• the Japanese tosa
• the Dogo Argentino
• the Fila Brasileiro

Keeping dangerous dogs legally

If you are a responsible owner of a dangerous dog, an application can be made to the courts to legally keep your dog. The courts may agree, providing you agreed to abide by some strict rules. If you are successfully accepted onto the register, but are later found not abiding by one or all the restrictions, your dog could be seized.

Dealing with a dog attack

If you or another person have been injured by a dog, it is a criminal matter. Contact the police.