#2026/212Scotland tightens supervision rules for exempt dangerous dogs around young children
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This Order adds a new condition for keeping exempt dangerous dogs in Scotland, including XL Bully dogs. From 1 November 2026, these dogs must not come into close contact with a child under 12 in a private place unless either the dog or the child is supervised by someone aged 16 or over. The change affects owners who rely on a certificate of exemption to lawfully keep a banned or restricted dog. They will need to manage contact with young children in homes and other non-public places, because failing to meet exemption conditions can put the certificate at risk.
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Key Changes
- Adds a supervision condition for exempt dangerous dogs around children under 12 in private places
- Applies the new rule to Scotland’s XL Bully exemption scheme
- Makes the same update to the broader 1991 dangerous dogs exemption scheme
Obligations
What this law requires
From 1 November 2026, holders of a certificate of exemption for an exempt dangerous dog in Scotland, including an XL Bully 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 aged 16 or over.