Every year, around 4.7 million cases of dog bites occur in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Humane Society of the United States. Some of these cases end in death.
An outbreak of attacks by aggressive dog breeds and other comparable breeds in the late 1980s resulted in widespread bans. The United Kingdom’s Parliament prohibited the owning of numerous vicious dog breeds in 1991, and other countries quickly followed suit.
Dogs are unquestionably the most popular pets around the globe. They are loyal, pleasant, eager, and fun to be around. However, not all dogs are the same. Some dog breeds are highly violent and vicious. In several situations, these breeds have proven to be lethal to people and unsuitable for petting.
Dogs are commonly regarded as man’s best friend, but what happens when your purported pet is eager to turn to aggression at the slightest provocation? Keep reading as we review some of the banned dog breeds and why some communities are skeptical about adopting them.
Why are some dog breeds banned?
In most cases, safety is the driving factor for the ban on particular dog breeds in specific countries. A government may ban the ownership, purchase, or adoption of a certain dog breed if it believes the breed to be dangerous to the local populace.
What prompts the government to make this unexpected assumption? In circumstances where incidences involving a specific dog breed continue to recur, this may raise a red signal. Let’s take the United Kingdom for example. In 1991, the UK government banned Pit bulls in reaction to an increasing number of occurrences involving fatal and unjustifiable attacks by the dog breed. England and Wales were particularly affected by these instances, with a total of 15 fatal dog attacks between 1981 and 1991.
The decision to ban a canine breed is entirely up to a court of law. The court normally researches to assess if the dog breed has a predisposition to aggression, to the point of posing harm to those around them.
The prohibition of dogs has long been a contentious issue, particularly among pet supporters. A common idea is that how a dog behaves and develops depends on the training and affection it receives at home. The dog returns the affection they get. This has resulted in some debate about the ban of some dog breeds. You’ll also find some of the banned dog breeds as family pets, absolutely loving and unaggressive. This further demonstrates the importance of home training in defining a dog’s temperament.
What happens to banned dogs?
Dogs suspected of being of a banned breed are seized from their owners and placed in kennels. Many dogs find the procedure extremely difficult to bear, and it can lead to negative changes in health and behavior. An expert will analyze the dog using a set of guidelines. Since genetics and parentage are not usually taken into account, this process affects many dogs.
Banned dog breeds can be legally retained. They can only be excluded from euthanasia provided they do not endanger public safety and the owner is deemed fit and appropriate. In the United Kingdom, if you own a banned dog breed but the court believes it is not a risk to the public, they are usually put on IED and you are free to keep it. You’ll receive an exemption certificate which is valid for the duration of the dog’s life.
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What you should know about owning a banned dog breed
For starters, the banned dog breeds are not suitable for first-time dog owners. Early correct manners and training are essential with these breeds; educate the dog to heel on the leash and follow you in and out of doorways. These dog breeds require a strong, firm, reliable, and confident pack leader who can keep them in place in the alpha hierarchy, below all humans.
A dog’s innate impulse is to maintain order in its group. We humans become their group when we live with dogs. The entire pack works together under a single leader. You and all other people must be higher on the food chain than the dog. That is the only way to ensure that your partnership is a total success.
If you have a banned dog breed, the police or a local council dog warden can take it away and hold it, even if no one has complained and the dog is not acting dangerously. Any owner of one of the banned dog breeds listed below must:
- Take up insurance against your dog hurting others
- Be over the age of 16.
- Show the Certificate of Exemption when requested by a police officer or council dog warden.
- Notify the IED immediately or within 5 days if your residence changes or your dog dies.
What are the banned dog breeds in the UK?
1. Pitbull
Pitbulls are typically ranked first on the dog blacklist. Despite their adorable appearance and stunning coat colors, this dog breed is banned in over 20 countries. The ban applies to any dog that is directly related to the breed: cross breeds.
Pitbulls came to exist by crossing Terriers with Bulldogs. Originally, Pitbulls were used for dog fights. The manner the dogs were bred and trained for some of these bouts resulted in their aggression and, predictably, a rise in the frequency of Pitbull attacks. Slowly, the breed became undesirable due to its viciousness and ruthlessness. The breed is well-known for its energy and power, it also has one of the strongest jaws: a bite force of 240-330 PSI.
Although this canine was bred and trained to be aggressive toward other dogs, aggressiveness toward humans was discouraged since trainers had to manage the dog even when fighting. This characteristic was not selected for breeding.
However, the rise of dogfighting, despite the prohibition in the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other nations, has resulted in unscrupulous breeders fostering such qualities in their animals and mistreating them to produce a nasty disposition.
Following well-publicized attacks on people by dogs identified as pit bulls, various jurisdictions passed legislation banning or regulating the holding of the breeds. Some humane organizations frequently euthanize pit bulls that come into their care because they are usually deemed unfit for adoption.
In reaction to the breed’s poor image, some pit bull owners often criticize irresponsible owners’ maltreatment of the breed, stating that every dog breed is susceptible to comparable violent behavior when trained poorly. The dog breed is now banned in the United Kingdom, sections of Canada, and numerous states in the United States.
2. Japanese Tosa
The Japanese in the Tosa area had a medium-sized dog they intended to train to be a sumo wrestler. They began mixing their native breed with Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Great Danes, and Bull Terriers some 150 years ago. The dog was particularly bred for blood sports.
Tosas only weigh 35 to 60 kilos in Japan, but breeders have chosen them to weigh up to 100 kilograms outside of Japan. Their necks are robust and muscular, and they have short red coats. This natural guard dog is brave, protective, and fearless.
It requires an owner who understands how to lead at all times. Poor handling and training lead to aggression and assaults on people. Problems develop when an owner encourages the dog to feel he is the pack leader over people and fails to provide the dog with the mental and physical activity it requires regularly.
Owners of this breed must be naturally dominant over the dog in a calm, but firm, confident, and consistent manner. A well-adjusted, well-trained Japanese Tosa is typically nice with other pets and terrific with youngsters in the home. The dog breed is banned in numerous countries, including England, Ireland, and Australia.
3. Dogo Argentino
This breed evolved from a cross between the Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba and other breeds including Mastiffs and Bull Terriers. The Dogo Argentino is a pack-hunting dog developed for the chase of large games such as wild boar and puma.
It has the power, intelligence, and fast response of a dedicated athlete. The Dogo Argentino has a short, basic, and silky white coat. The ideal Dogo Argentino is a work of art in harmony. This dog breed has an athletic build, with a powerful head supported by a broad neck that connects to a balanced body supported by straight, substantial forelegs and exceptionally muscular, medium-angulated hindquarters.
The Dogo Argentino has the appearance of tremendous force and energy. This dog breed has a good nose, excellent lung capacity, and a robust, but nimble, muscular body for hunting and catching prey. The Dogo is easily identified by his short, all-white coat.
Dogo Argentino dogs are among the most aggressive dogs on the globe, although they are rarely threatening to humans. They were, however, bred to be combat dogs and can be vicious if not properly trained. Dogo Argentinos can make fine pets, but you must first consider their breeding purpose. This is a fighting dog that can secure its area as well as assist in hunting. They are banned in New Zealand, Israel, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
4. Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro evolved centuries ago in Brazil as a large game hunting and working dog. These huge canines may be frightening. The Fila Brasileiro is not the ideal choice for inexperienced pet owners, since it requires tough, experienced training. Several nations have prohibited the breed because these canines are deemed extremely violent.
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This enormous canine was used by colonist plantation owners to protect their properties from huge predators like jaguars. They were also employed for hunting and would track down animals such as cattle, as well as fugitive enslaved persons from plantations, and seize them by the neck, keeping them down until their owners caught up.
This banned dog breed is nimble despite its large size. The Fila Brasileiro could attack at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. The Fila Brasileiro is one of the biggest and most stubborn purebred dogs available, and only a few people are actually up to the task of rearing and grooming this demanding breed.
People who keep this dog must be fully aware of their obligations to safeguard the innocent public. This includes friends and family who don’t come frequently enough for the dog to embrace them as part of the family. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, and others, have banned or restricted the Fila Brasileiro.
Frequently asked questions
- Why do dog breeds like Pit Bulls get such a bad reputation?
It became fashionable to breed pit bulls for their strength and ferocity. As a result, many canines were bred unethically for use in dog combat venues, leading to a spike in attacks involving Pitbulls.
- What is the most illegal dog breed?
The Pitbull is the most illegal dog breed. It is banned in over 20 countries including the United Kingdom.
- Does dog training play a role in its aggressiveness?
Yes, dogs that are trained properly and socialized usually depict lower tendencies of aggressiveness
- Can you sell a banned dog breed in the United Kingdom?
No, It’s prohibited to sell or own any of the banned dog breeds in the United Kingdom.
- Can the police seize your banned dog breed?
If the authorities believe your dog is a banned dog breed and in a public location, they do not require a warrant to confiscate your dog.
Conclusions
Personally, I feel that a dog’s temperament is determined by how well it is trained. According to a recent study that includes breeds that are referred to as violent, such as the Pit Bull. Owners are mostly responsible for assaults caused by dominance or competitiveness between their dogs.
Many dogs are euthanized or abandoned because of their aggressive behavior; yet, contrary to common opinion, the breed has nothing to do with a dog’s aggressive behavior when compared to all the owner-dependent elements.