Dangerous dogs

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to own/sell/breed/give away/exchange dogs of the following type:

• Pit bull terrier type.
• XL Bully type.
• Japanese Tosa type.
• Dogo Argentino type.
• Fila Braziliero type.
• Any other type of dog appearing to be or to have characteristics of the above type bred for fighting.

If it is alleged that a dog is of a type which is prohibited it is presumed to be the case until the owner proves to the contrary. The owner can do this at his/her own expense.

You can contact Police Scotland by dialling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and report the information to them.

The police will then make any necessary enquiries and take appropriate action most likely in conjunction with the Dog Warden Service.

If a dog has attacked a person or animal, it is a police matter and you should contact them directly. Call 101 (or 999 in emergencies only).

If the dog poses an immediate threat to the safety of the public then it can be lawfully ordered to be destroyed by the police or other responsible person (e.g. a vet/local authority). This power comes from the fact that a dog is classed as property and it is lawful to humanely destroy it, if it is causing immediate damage/danger to people, animals or property.

If the dog has been established as dangerous but does not pose an immediate threat to the public etc, the court can order its destruction (whether or not there has been a prosecution conviction of the owner/keeper) and the court can also disqualify its owner from owning a dog in the future.