Dogs

If you think a dog may be dangerous then you should report it immediately - dial 999. If it is not an emergency, please call the Community Protection Enforcement Officer on 01432 261761 on Monday to Friday - 9am to 4.15pm or, at other times, call 101.

A dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

• Injures someone
• Makes someone worried that it might injure them
• Attacks someone's animal
• The owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal

A farmer is allowed to kill a dog if it's worrying their livestock.

There are a selection of dog breeds that are banned. You can find more information on banned breeds on the government website. If you believe a dog is one of the banned breeds in the list below or you know of the location of one of these dogs, please contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 and ask to speak to the dog section.

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro

XL Bully type dogs

Under amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 XL Bully dogs have been added to the Government’s list of banned breeds: XL Bully type dogs to be banned - GOV.UK

Owners of XL Bully dogs can use the following information to find out what they need to do next.

• From 31 December 2023 it will be unlawful to breed, sell, gift or allow an XL Bully dog to stray. These dogs will also be required to be kept on a lead and muzzled when outside.
• From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to be in possession of an XL Bully dog unless the dog has been certified as exempt on the Index of Exempted dogs. 

The Index is maintained by Defra and may be accessed by the police. The burden is on the owner to prove a dog is not a prohibited dog.

If you are unsure whether or not your dog is an XL Bully type, please use the government information to Check if a dog is an XL Bully - GOV.UK

Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs - GOV.UK

If your dog meets the official definition for an XL bully type you will need to  Apply for a Certificate of Exemption by email or post to keep an XL Bully dog - GOV.UK