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:
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.
