#2026/602Changes to dangerous dog exemption rules in England and Wales
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This order changes the conditions for keeping an exempted dangerous dog in England and Wales. It removes the requirement for third-party insurance under the exemption schemes and updates related certificate rules. From 1 November 2026, certificate holders must make sure the dog does not come into close contact with a child under 12 in a non-public place unless either the dog or the child is supervised by someone over 18. Owners of exempted dogs should update their compliance routines, especially in homes and private settings.
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Key Changes
- Removes the third-party insurance requirement from dangerous dog exemption schemes in England and Wales
- Adds a new child-safety condition for exempted dogs in non-public places from 1 November 2026
- Updates certificate and interim exemption rules to reflect the removal of insurance requirements
Obligations
What this law requires
From 1 November 2026, a certificate holder for an exempted dangerous dog must ensure the dog does not come into close contact with a child under 12 in any non-public place unless either the dog or the child is supervised by a person over 18.
From 1 July 2026, exemption scheme processes and certificates must no longer treat third-party insurance as a condition or requirement for exemption under the dangerous dog exemption schemes in England and Wales.