The law
It is a criminal offence to own or possess a dog listed in the The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in Wales and England unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
The Act applies to five types of dogs:
- XL Bully
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
The Dangerous Dogs 1991 Act makes it illegal for anyone who owns or posses one of these dogs to:
- sell the dog
- abandon the dog or let it stray
- give the dog away
- breed one of the listed dogs or breed from the dog
- have the dog in public without a lead and muzzle
Tai Môn Housing tenants
Applying for social housing
Our housing application has been amended to be mandatory that applicants confirm the exact breed of any animal to be housed.
If you apply for social housing and you have said on your application that you own or possess a dog that is listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, you will need to produce the Exemption Certificate as part of your housing application to go active on the housing register.
Your applications will be put in 'pending' status until you show us the Exemption Certificate. Your application will be cancelled if you do not show us the certificate within the given time limit.
Housing applicants owning any breed of dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act will only be considered for accommodation when the property being considered has:
- its own front door and own enclosed garden with six-foot fencing (not in flats sharing communal access, stairwells, or communal gardens)
- sign off in writing from a manager alongside the head of service for Housing Services.
Housing Services will not put up the fencing.
Existing tenants
Eistimng tenants will be asked for an Exemption Certificate if we do not have one.
You must provide us with a copy of the certificate to show that you are complying with the law.
You will be reported to the police if you do not show us the Exemption Certificate.
If you breach the law
You will be convicted of a crime if you are found to be in breach of the law.
This can lead to an unlimited fine, a prison sentence and/or having your dog seized and euthanised. If any customer is convicted of a crime then tenancy action and the suitability of you keeping future animals will be considered.
How to complain about a dangerous dog
All complaints should be directed to the police who have a responsibility to investigate if an owner is following the law.
For example, if you see a dangerous dog without a muzzle or lead, or if you are concerned that a dog is dangerous or has aggressive behaviour, regardless of the breed, then they should report the dog to the police .
If you are concerned about the cruelty or neglect of any pet, you should report this to the RSPCA.
Your responsibilities if you own a pet
- You are responsible for caring for your pet.
- They shouldn’t roam unsupervised, be a nuisance to neighbours or foul any communal, shared area or any other property, including shared garden areas.
- All animals must be kept under control and (if pet appropriate) kept on a lead.
- Pets are only allowed in communal/shared areas to gain access to your property.
- Pets must be kept under control when our staff, agents or contractors are visiting the property.
- Because of several serious injuries to employees, we may ask that dogs are secured behind a closed door in a separate room before we arrive. Otherwise we will not be able to carry out any work. This will also help to stop your pets potentially getting distressed about us being there.
- If you have a garden, you must keep the garden boundaries secure to stop your pet(s) escaping.
- You must make sure your pet doesn’t damage our property. If any damage occurs, we may take legal action which could result in you losing your home.
- Commercial breeding from our properties is not allowed.