Dogs: Thousands put down each year by UK Police Force

Amy Stanton
Jun 2
4 min read

Maria Baeva takes a look at the UK’s breed-specific dog ban which has led to thousands of dogs being euthanized under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Photo by: Freddie Marriage

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The UK has been enforcing its breed-specific dog ban for many years, with significant implications for owners and their pets across the country. A recent study reveals that thousands of dogs have been seized and put down by police since 2020, but there seems to be more to the story in addition to these vast numbers.

Personal Injury Claims UK carried out a study recording data from September 2020 up until September 2023, which showed that a total of 2,671 dogs have been euthanized by police forces in Great Britain. However, the actual number is likely higher, as only 86% of police forces responded to the survey.

Some police forces could not disclose the number of dogs retired due to time constraints under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, and in some cases, incidents that resulted in dogs being put down weren’t always recorded in police force systems either.

Did you know? The dangerous dogs act bans 5 dog breeds: Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, American XL Bully

The Dangerous Dogs Act

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was put in place to reduce the number of breed-specific, dog-related attacks that had been slowly on the rise in the UK at the time, with 15 dog-related deaths occurring in the 10 years prior to the Act being instated.

Under this act, a dog can be lawfully euthanized by police or any other authorised individual like a vet or a local authority in the UK on the grounds that it is a threat to public safety.

While not all forces provided the reasons that resulted in the number of dogs put down, the forces that could reported that it happened due to Section 1 and Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Section 1 pertained to the ownership of dogs that were bred for fighting and Section 3, for when a dog is dangerously out of control or in an area where they are prohibited.

The most commonly retired breeds, all of which are now banned in the UK according to data reported to Personal Injury Claims UK, include American Bulldogs, Pitbulls, Cane Corsos and XL Bulldogs. The latter breed was the most recent to be added to the banned list, with the restrictions coming into place on the 1st of February 2024.

In light of the most recent ban of XL Bulldogs, owners could apply for an exemption certificate which would allow them to keep their dogs if they ensured the dogs were ‘microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled in public and be neutered to comply with the exemption rules.’ But the work didn’t stop there—owners were also required to pay an application fee, carry liability insurance and confirm the microchip registration, if they wanted their dog to be officially exempt from the ban.

Is the act Effective?

Since its implementation, the Dangerous Dogs Act has added more breeds to its banned list, yet its effectiveness remains debated as dog attacks continue. While the Act aims to protect the public, its true impact on safety is questioned.

In the decade before the Act, there were 15 reported deaths due to dog attacks. From 2001 to 2021, however, this number rose to 69, raising concerns about the Act’s effectiveness. Experts also have mixed views on its impact. Merritt Clifton of Animals 24-7.org describes the ban as “reasonably effective” but believes it could be improved by covering a broader range of fighting breeds.

On the other hand, a 2016 survey by Battersea involving 215 dog behaviourists found that a dog's upbringing, rather than its breed, is often the critical factor in behaviour. The survey suggests that enforcing breed-specific bans and putting dogs to sleep based on breed alone may be “arbitrary and unfair.”

“Many dogs that are seized as illegal breeds are in fact well-behaved dogs with responsible owners, who just have the misfortune to have the wrong measurements.” Becky Thwaites – Blue Cross Head of Public Affairs

An Unfortunate Administration Error

While the ban for these specific dog breeds came about as a result of attacks and incidents relating to specific dogs’ behaviour, not all banned dog breeds are inherently violent or pose a threat to the public.

Such was the case for Bruno, an XL Bulldog, whose family was in the process of getting an exemption certificate for him when an administration error by the Lancashire police force resulted in the dog being mistakenly put down. Lancashire police reportedly issued a full apology to Bruno’s family, assuring them the error has now been remedied, and that sort of mistake won’t happen again.

In Conclusion

The report by Personal Injury Claims UK sheds light on the growing number of dogs being seized and euthanized under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Although the intention behind the Act was to protect public safety, the sheer number of dogs being put down raises important questions about its effectiveness, especially since studies have shown that it is a dog’s upbringing and training that dictate its behaviour. Bruno’s case, while likely an exception, calls attention to the diligence of police forces responsible for euthanizing dogs.