What happens if you own a banned dog? How American bully XL owners will be affected when breed is banned in UK

Rishi Sunak announced on Friday that American bully XL dogs will be banned by the end of the year.

His announcement comes amid a rise in the number of people being attacked by the animals, including an 11-year-old girl and two men who were savaged on a Birmingham street last week.

In a statement the Prime Minister branded the breed as a “danger to our communities, particularly children” and told how plans to prohibit ownership of the dogs will be drawn up by 2024.

He said: “It’s clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs. It’s a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.”

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which was brought in to reduce the number of dog attacks by specific breeds, it is a criminal offence to own certain types of dogs.

But what are the consequences of owning a banned breed, and what happens if it mauls a person or another animal? i finds out everything you need to know.

What happens if you own a banned dog?

Yawning dog. Lying tosa-inu dog — Among the banned breeds is the Japanese Tosa. (Photo: Getty Images)

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which was was first introduced in 1991, people are not allowed to own, breed or sell certain types of canines.

The legislation also makes it a criminal offence to allow any breed of dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place or location where it is not allowed.

People found to own a banned dog will have their pet taken away by police or a local council dog warden, even if it has not been acting dangerously, or a complaint has not been made about it.

If police spot the dog in a public place, a warrant is not needed to seize it, but if one is found in a private place such as a family home, they will need a warrant before they take it away.

However, if police enter a home with a warrant relating to another matter and find the dog it can be seized.

After the dog is taken into police custody, it will be examined by an expert, who will determine if it is dangerous and likely to cause harm to people or animals.

If a dog owner can prove the dog is not banned breed the animal will be returned to them.

But if a person cannot prove the dog is not banned, they will be charged with possessing an outlawed dog, and face being slapped with an unlimited fine, or being jailed for up to six months.

If a dog is on the banned list but a court does not believe it to be a danger to the public, it may be put on the Index of Exempt Dogs. Owners will also be permitted to keep it for as long as it lives, and given a Certificate of Exemption.

Owners of exempt dogs must neuter, microchip and keep their animals in a secure place where they cannot escape.

They must also keep it on a lead and muzzled at all times while in public and take insurance against it injuring other people.

If a police officer or council dog warden asks a person to show them their Certificate of Exemption, they must do so within five days.

Owners must also inform the Index of Exempt Dogs know if they change address, or their pooch dies.

What happens if your dog is banned and it attacks a person or other animal?

The Dangerous Dogs Act makes it illegal for any dog to be “dangerously out of control” even if it is not a banned breed.

Dangerously out of control is defined as animals who injure a person or another animal. Or cause someone to have a “reasonable” fear they could be injured.

If a banned dog bites a person they will be seized by police and put down. Any owner of a dog which kills somebody faces being jailed for up to 14 years.

If the dog attacks and injures another person’s pet, you are guilty of an offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000.

Owners face being sent to prison for up to five years if their dogs injures someone – and they will be jailed for up to three years if their animals attacks an intruder in their own home

But if a dog attacks an intruder in their own home, they have a defence and may not be punished by a court.

It is a specific offence if a dog owners pet attacks an assistance dog, punishable by a three-year prison sentence, a fine, or both.

Owners of dogs, who do not bite anyone but whose behaviour is aggressive or threatening can also be prosecuted and face up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of £5,000.

If a dog worries livestock, there owners can be fined up to £1,000.

Worrying livestock is defined as attacking or killing cattle or sheep, or chasing them in such a way its cause them any form of suffering, or a financial loss to their owner.

If the dog has attacked a person or worried livestock a court may order that the dog is destroyed.

If you deliberately set the dog on livestock or another person’s pet you could be fined up to £2,500.

If the dog has attacked a person or worried livestock a court may order that the dog is destroyed.