are pitbulls legal in england?

Question

i have recently noticed 2 different pit bulls near to where i live but thought they were still banned. any info or comments ?

Answer 1

Yes they are legal but subject to certain restrictions brought in under The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

They must be neutered.
They must be insured.
They must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public.
They must be microchipped.
They must be registered.

The Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in the early 1990s so logically, as breeding Pit Bulls is not possible due to the requirement to neuter, the breed should die out in the UK in a generation.

The Act was rushed through due to a spate of horrific and in some cases fatal attacks on people by dogs of various breeds. The Pit Bull, unfortunately, bore the brunt of blame mainly due to the half-wits who deliberately bred really aggressive Pit Bulls for illegal dog fighting.

These revolting people then set about attempting to ruin other Bull breeds such as the Staffordshire and the English Bull Terrier by selecting and breeding only from aggressive parents and 'discarding' those with what normal people would regard as good temperaments.

You will still see dogs which resemble Pit Bulls - these are often illegally bred Pit Bull crossbreeds whose Neanderthal breeders are trying to get round the law by claiming that their dogs are not true Pit Bulls.

Most of the Bull breeds, which were originally bred for fighting and bull-baiting, had over many years had the aggression selectively bred OUT and made lovely pets. This includes the much maligned Pit Bull.

P.S. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act if a dog of any breed 'intimidates' someone in can be siezed and destroyed. 'Intimidation' has a very open meaning. A friendly dog who runs up to a stranger who is scared of dogs would seem intimidating to that person and, under the law, could be deemed to be dangerous..

Answer 2

Contact you local authorities. Many breeds (like Boxers) can look similar to pit bulls. I don't believe any breed should be banned, but I do believe that people should be held responsible for their dog's actions. There are vicious dogs in every breed - I've known Scottish Terriers and Poodles that I've been far more afraid of than my friend's pit bulls.

Answer 3

I found this on Answers.com

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is a piece of UK legislation that was introduced in response to various incidents of serious injury or death resulting from attacks by aggressive and uncontrolled dogs, particularly on children. These incidents received heavy tabloid attention, causing widespread public concern over the keeping of "dangerous" dogs and a resulting legislative backlash.

Four breeds in particular were targeted by the Act:

Pit Bull Terriers - note that 'pit bull' refers to several different breeds, and is not a breed in and of itself
Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro

It was made illegal to own any of these dogs without specific exemption from a court. The dogs have to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public and they must be registered and insured, and receive microchip implants. Although the Act was also supposed to ban the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs, it is questionable how effective it has been.

There have been several test cases of the Act, most famously Dempsey (a pit bull terrier) who in 1995 was finally reprieved from a death sentence, to widespread media attention. The definition of the word "type" in the legislation was of particular controversy, as did the lack of discretion the Act gives magistrates.

In November 2002, The Princess Royal was fined £500 under the Act after one of her Bull Terriers attacked two children. Another of her terriers later fatally injured one of the Queen's corgis, and in a separate incident bit one of the Royal staff.

Answer 4

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/Wxmdm

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 5

yes they are. The dogs you may have seen are probably bred to look that way for fighting. There are still instances of this in this country. If your worried i'd phone the dog warden. If they are this breed then they should have a dangewrous dogs licence and wear a muzzle at all times in public.

Answer 6

I might print this out and send it to the lad down the road...he's got 2 american pitt bull dogs, never muzzles them, and he lets them walk without a lead, they chased my mates lad last year down the road, he lets them loose on the green at the bottom of the street, he says they are girl dogs and they're ok, but i never take my dog out when i know he's out with his.Everyone round here says he should have them muzzled, but i think if you approach him he'll tell you were to go!!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

As far as I know, Pitbulls are not illegal in England. Don't be scared of them - they are just dogs. I met some great ones in Florida. Some dogs get a reputation but it is not always founded. It would be good for the dogs AND you if you took the time to meet them.

Answer 9

They are illegal unless you have a licence and as pointed out they need to be neutered, muzzled, insured etc.

Many of you insist you have seen people with them but they will most likely be american bulldogs which are perfectly legal unlike pitbulls who were bred to fight each other (not bulls) and have questionable temperaments - hence the ban.

Answer 10

Only bull baiting is banned not the dog.