De-exemption Legal Pathway Petition Response

In response to a UK Government Petition which has reached over 10,000 signatures, the Government has given a written response.

The Petition - Provide a legal pathway to “de-exempt” XL Bully dogs exempted as a precaution can be viewed here - https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/760799

The Government responded:
"Owners with a Certificate of Exemption for an XL Bully dog can now apply to withdraw it if they no longer believe it is an XL Bully."

Defra recognises that some owners applied for Certificates of Exemption during the transition period as a precaution, particularly where they were unsure whether their dog met the XL Bully type standard. Defra understands that there are some dog owners who now believe that their dog is not an XL Bully type and that wish to withdraw their dog’s Certificate of Exemption. 

That is why Defra has launched a service for dog owners in England and Wales to apply to withdraw their dog if they are satisfied, having reviewed the XL Bully conformation standard, that it is not an XL Bully type. The application process is simple and can be done through a dedicated website on GOV.UK. 

Owners can also apply using a paper form if required. Full information on how to apply to withdraw a dog’s Certificate of Exemption can be found on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-withdraw-a-certificate-of-exemption-for-a-dog. The withdrawal process fulfils a commitment made to owners when the XL Bully exemption scheme was introduced.

It is up to the owner or keeper to identify whether they think their dog may be in scope of the ban. 

Owners and keepers should refer to Defra guidance on how to check if a dog is an XL Bully, where Defra have provided photographic examples of XL Bully breed types. The guidance can be found by searching for “XL Bully conformation standard” on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog/xl-bully-conformation-standard).

To be considered a type ‘known as the XL Bully’, a dog must meet the minimum height measurements set out in the guidance. If an owner thinks their dog meets the minimum height measurements and has a substantial amount of the physical characteristics set out in the guidance, the dog may be in scope of the ban. 

Defra recommends taking a cautious approach. If owners are unsure if your dog is a XL Bully, they should comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions and not withdraw the dog’s Certificate of Exemption.

Police may carry out some checks and owners should be satisfied that their dog does not meet the standard before applying to withdraw a Certificate of Exemption. 

Withdrawing a Certificate of Exemption for a dog which is found to be an XL Bully is a criminal offence. The dog may be seized, and the owner will have to go through the courts to keep the dog.

Owners can access the most up to date information on the XL Bully ban by searching “Ban on XL Bully Dogs” on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs).
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

New DEFRA advice & law changes - exempted dogs

The changes were introduced as a Statutory Instrument (a form of secondary legislation) laid before Parliament on 9 June 2026 - SI 2026/602, under the formal title The Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026. 

As of 1 July 2026, if you own an exempted dog you are no longer legally required to hold third-party public liability insurance.

From 1 November 2026, owners of banned breed dogs must ensure that any child under 12 is not left in close contact with their dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, without appropriate adult supervision:

        *  to ensure that the dog does not come into close contact with a child under the age of 12 in any place, other than a public place, unless the dog or the child is being supervised by a person (whether the holder of the certificate or some other person) who is over the age of 18

The changes can be read in full here - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/602/made

Government guidance was issued September 2026 and can be found on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-around-banned-breed-dogs-in-the-home/keeping-children-safe-around-banned-breed-dogs-in-the-home

The guidance for dog owners is on keeping young children safe in the home and meeting the child safety condition for banned breed dog types.

This guidance provides information to help owners of banned breed dogs understand the new legal requirement relating to children under 12 and appropriate adult supervision.

It also includes examples of steps owners may wish to consider to help reduce the risk of unsupervised contact between children and dogs in the home.

Applying these principles more widely 
While this legal requirement applies to banned breed dogs and children under 12, many of the principles in this guidance may also be relevant to other dogs, children of different ages, and vulnerable adults. All dog owners should consider how they supervise interactions between dogs and children and take steps to reduce the risk of harm where appropriate.

Petition-Require tracking of companion animal euthanasia to prevent unnecessary deaths

Please Sign and Share
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/766482

If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.
If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
This petition will stay open until 1 November 2026.

The Petition text reads:

Every day healthy and treatable companion animals are put to sleep not because they are old or because they are beyond help but because there are limited places for them to go

Their lives end quietly in pounds, commercial kennels, veterinary practices and rescues, often unseen and unrecorded.

Stray dogs can be PTS after 7 days

Stray cats rely on charities not councils

Healthy/treatable animals are euthanised with no record, no transparency, no opportunity for reform

We call on Government to:

* Record when healthy/treatable animals are euthanised
* Publish annual data
* Introduce a nationwide system to protect stray cats
* Scan microchips for Rescue Back Up and registered keeper

Without this data preventable deaths will continue
Every animal deserves the chance to live
Tuks Law

Pet Microchip - Rescue Back-Up

There is a new Government Petition - please sign and share.
Don't forget to confirm your email address by following the link you are emailed, your signature will not be counted until you click the link you receive.

Sign HERE

Petition Text:

Ban removing Rescue Back Up details from pet microchips & make them permanent

Rescue Back Up details registered on microchips can be removed by authorised external users like alternate rescuers, without informing the original rescue organisation.

We call on the Government to amend Microchipping Of Cats and Dogs Regulations to ban the removal of Rescue Back Up details and other important welfare information registered on microchips, create a permanent audit trail, and automatically notify registered rescue organisations of any attempts to remove these details.

When a rescue or breeder register their RBU details on the microchip of a pet they rehomed, they may do so on the basis that it will remain there so they can be contacted if the pet is vulnerable. Authorised users with access to microchip databases, can remove original registration or rescue back up details without telling the original rescue, breeder, owner, keeper or rehoming centre, which can leave them unable to trace their dog or offer lifetime protection.

Dog Food Recall

There is a recall of all Years fresh meals - full details can be found on their website which includes the following information as of 19th August 2026:

As a precaution, we're issuing a voluntary recall of all Years Fresh Meals (excluding Chef's Collection).

Our investigation has identified buckwheat as a potential contributing factor, and we are investigating a potential contamination within the buckwheat supply. Several findings have led us to investigate buckwheat as a potential contributing factor:

Timing - all confirmed cases have emerged after buckwheat was introduced into the recipe, with zero confirmed cases prior to that change

Potential supply contamination - possible contamination identified in supplier product during our review, with laboratory testing due soon

Case data - confidential data shared by an independent ophthalmologist, covering symptoms, diet and environmental factors across their cases

Buckwheat is a common, approved ingredient used across many pet foods, and went through Years’ standard ingredient and recipe approval process before being introduced, including supplier approval, ingredient specification review and formulation in line with FEDIAF guidelines.

Further independent laboratory testing around the buckwheat supply is ongoing. Years has chosen to voluntarily recall the meals as a precautionary measure, without causation having yet been proven.

As of 9pm on 18th August, 192 customers in total have reported potential, as yet unverified, eye issues out of approximately 40,000 customers.

We know for some, this will strike as overly cautious - but at Years, we will always put every dog's health and wellbeing first.

Your subscription is paused for 6 weeks, and we will be reformulating our recipes without buckwheat.

What you should do

Stop feeding Years fresh meals immediately, whether your dog is experiencing symptoms or not

Do not feed the meals to any other dog or animal

Do not donate or sell the meals

Your subscription will be automatically paused tonight, for an initial period of six weeks. This gives us time to freshly cook your dog's meals using quinoa in place of buckwheat along with a thank you gift, for your patience, in your next subscription box.

Your help with our investigation would mean a great deal. We'll arrange a free collection of any unused meals and apply a full credit to your account for the order.

Fireworks - New Government Consultation

Have you and your dogs/animals been affected by Fireworks?

This Consultation is open until 7th October 2026 and can be responded to here: Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK - GOV.UK

The Consultation description is as below:

Introduction
Fireworks are enjoyed by many for celebrations and cultural events. However, their use has become a growing concern, as seen from public complaints, parliamentary debates, and petitions calling for stronger controls due to the negative impacts on neighbourhood safety, vulnerable people, and animals.
This consultation explores these issues, in support of the UK Government’s Safer Streets Mission to tackle anti-social behaviour. The goal is to find an approach that preserves the enjoyment of fireworks for celebrations while preventing harm and distress to others.

Why are we consulting

Before making any changes to fireworks regulations, we are seeking views on our proposals to ensure we receive all relevant evidence and perspectives. This will allow us to refine the policy to reduce unintended consequences and maximise the potential benefits. We are seeking views on proposals to:

• restrict the availability of noisier fireworks to the general public, with louder products only available to professional users.

• add products deemed to be carrying unacceptable risks to the list of existing banned pyrotechnic products set out in regulation 33 of the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (as amended).

• review the regulations for fireworks and pyrotechnic products currently classified as lower risk to better reflect the different levels of risk they pose.

Petition to provide lifelong vet care for retired service animals

A Petition to provide lifelong vet care and financial support for retired service animals.

This is a UK Government Petition, currently awaiting a government response as more than 10,000 signatures have been reached.

Petition Text:

We want the UK Government to create a national support scheme to provide lifelong veterinary care and financial assistance for retired service animals, including police dogs, military dogs, and police horses.

Service animals protect the public and support the emergency services and armed forces. Many retire with injuries or health conditions linked to their service. Ongoing care costs often fall to former handlers, adopters, or charities.
We want a national support scheme or pension to help fund lifelong veterinary care and welfare support for retired service animals.

You can Sign and Share the Petition Here:  

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/769616

If the petition receives more than 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament.