Dangerous Dog Solicitors

Our expertise with dangerous dog offences

Representation at police stations

If you are arrested or asked to attend a police interview in relation to a dangerous dog offence, it is important to instruct a specialist solicitor at the earliest opportunity.

What you choose to say or not say in a police interview can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Our specialist dog law solicitors have extensive experience representing clients accused of dangerous dog offences, including cases involving breeding, possession, or injury to others.

We can advise you on your rights, explain the process clearly, and ensure you have the best possible representation from the very start.

Pre-charge bail and released under investigation

If you have been released on pre-charge bail or are under investigation for a dangerous dog offence, it is important to get specialist legal advice as soon as possible. Being released from police custody does not mean the case is over, the police may still be gathering evidence, and you could still face prosecution.

While on bail, you may have strict conditions to follow, such as restrictions on where you can go or who you can contact. Breaching these conditions could lead to further penalties.

Our expert dog lawyers have extensive experience advising clients facing allegations involving dangerous dogs, including cases of injury, lack of control, or ownership of prohibited breeds.

We can advise you on the investigation process, help you understand your bail conditions, and guide you on how best to protect yourself while the case is ongoing.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail and release under investigation, please use the links provided below:

• Pre-charge bail and Released Under Investigation (RUI)
• On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
• How long can you be on bail without charge UK?

Penalty mitigation

If you are facing penalties for a dangerous dog offence, our specialist solicitors will take the time to understand your case and the circumstances leading to the allegation.

We will carefully assess the evidence against you and explore every opportunity to reduce the severity of any penalty you may face if there is a scenario where conviction is unavoidable.

Where possible, we will make strong representations on your behalf, highlighting factors such as potential contributory negligence, exemption or alternative sanctions and the possibility of mitigation for a guilty plea.

We will provide clear, practical advice throughout your case and are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you.

Legal representation and defence

If you are facing a trial for a dangerous dog offence, our expert criminal defence solicitors will provide clear advice and strong representation to give you the best possible chance of success in court.

We represent clients in court cases across London, including at Willesden Court, where the dangerous dogs court sits twice a month.

We will support you at every stage of the process, making sure you fully understand your rights, the law, and your available options.

Whether your case is being heard in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, we will work tirelessly to prepare a strong defence on your behalf. This may include gathering evidence, obtaining expert reports (such as dog behaviour assessments or veterinary reports), and identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

We work closely with some of the country’s most experienced criminal defence barristers, ensuring that if your case proceeds to trial, you have access to the very best representation.

At the same time, if an early guilty plea offers you a realistic opportunity for a more lenient sentence, we will advise you on this and your next best steps.

Our goal is always to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome, whether that means defending the case at trial, challenging the evidence, or mitigating the potential penalties you face.

Fees and funding

Fixed Fee Costs

Initial consultation by Zoom

Consultation in person

Court representation

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to dangerous dog offences, including:

• Serious crime
• Assault and violent crime
• Common assault
• Armed robbery
• Domestic violence
• Grievous bodily harm
• Possession of an offensive weapon
• Racially or religiously aggravated offences
• Robbery
• Self-defence as a legal defence

Common questions about dangerous dog offences

What breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991?

Five dog breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro​
• XL Bully

It is against the law to own, breed, sell, give away or abandon any dog of these breeds unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption from the police.

XL Bullies were added to the banned list in 2023, so ownership of the breed is relatively common compared to the other banned breeds on the list. It should be noted that applications for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully have closed.

Whether your dog is considered one of the prohibited breeds depends on its appearance and the judgement of a police or council expert in dangerous dog breeds.

If you are accused of owning a dog from one of the prohibited breeds, it is your responsibility to prove that it is not of a banned type rather than for the police or other authorities to prove that it is.

When is a dog considered ‘dangerously out of control’?

A dog may be considered dangerously out of control if it is alleged to have:

• Injured someone
• Made someone fear that it might injure them
• Attacked another person’s dog or other animal
• Made someone fear they might be injured in attempting to stop your dog from attacking their animal

This law applies to all types of dogs and covers public places, your home and any other private place, such as a friend’s or neighbour’s home.

What are the penalties for dangerous dog offences?

The Crown Prosecution Service’s sentencing guidelines for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are as follows:

Possession of a prohibited dog/ Breeding, selling, exchanging or advertising a prohibited dog – Up to 6 months’ custody and/or a community order or fine of 75-125% of your weekly income.

Owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place) – Up to 6 months’ custody and/or a community order or fine of 125-175% of your weekly income.

Owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place) where a person is injured – Up to 5 years’ custody and/or a community order or fine of 125-175% of your weekly income.

Owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place) where an assistance dog is injured or killed – Up to 3 years’ custody and/or a community order or fine of 75-125% of your weekly income.

Owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place) where death is caused – Up to 14 years’ custody.

If you are found guilty of any of these offences, you may also be disqualified from owning a dog for a period set by the court, you may be required to pay compensation to anyone injured by your dog, and your dog could be ordered to be destroyed.

What will happen to a dog seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act?

If your dog is believed to be from a prohibited breed or to be dangerously out of control, the animal will normally be seized by the police.

If the dog is found by a police or council expert to be from one of the five banned breeds, or you are found guilty of having the dog dangerously out of control, a court is likely to make a Contingent Destruction Order (‘CDO’) to have the dog put down.

If the dog is of a prohibited breed but you can prove that the animal is not dangerous, you may potentially be granted an exemption by the police. This will result in your dog being added to the Index of Exempted Dogs (IED) and you being issued with a Certificate of Exemption.

If you are granted an exemption for your dog, the animal will need to be neutered, microchipped, kept in a secure place, and kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. You will also need to take out insurance and notify the IED if you move and when your dog dies.

What are my rights when arrested for a dangerous dog?

If you are arrested or charged in relation to an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, knowing your rights can be essential to help you avoid unintentionally undermining your defence.

Key points to remember are:

• At the time of your arrest, the arresting officer must tell you what specific offence you are being arrested for
• You do not have to answer any questions you are asked
• You should never answer police questions without a solicitor present

The police are required to caution you with the following words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

Following a police interview, you may be:

• Charged with a specific offence
• Released under investigation
• Release with no further action

Contact our dangerous dogs solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview, have been accused of a dangerous dog offence, or require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 (our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City)

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for dangerous dogs

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.