The Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026
This Statutory Instrument amends three existing pieces of legislation concerning exemption schemes for dogs classified as dangerous in England and Wales, primarily by removing mandatory requirements for third-party insurance for exempted dogs, effective July 1st, 2026, while simultaneously introducing a new requirement for the supervision of exempted dogs interacting with children under the age of 12 in non-public settings, effective November 1st, 2026, for certain schemes.
Arguments For
Intended to modernize existing exemption schemes by removing the mandatory requirement for third-party insurance for exempted dogs, potentially reducing compliance burdens for certificate holders.
Introduces a new mandatory condition focused on child safety, requiring supervision when an exempted dog interacts with children under 12 in non-public places, addressing specific public safety concerns.
Streamlines previous regulations by deleting redundant or superseded provisions related to insurance and exemption certificates across multiple existing Orders (2015 and 2023).
Arguments Against
Removing the requirement for third-party insurance for exempted dogs could increase the financial liability borne by dog owners or local authorities in the event of an incident involving an exempted dangerous dog, potentially impacting victims' compensation.
The requirement for supervision of dogs around children under 12 is only enforced in non-public places, potentially leaving gaps in protection when exempted dogs are in public areas where supervision might be less direct or reliable.
The phased commencement, with some provisions commencing later (1st November 2026), could create temporary regulatory inconsistency during the transition period.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 602
DOGS, ENGLAND AND WALES
The Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026
Made - - - -
8th June 2026
Laid before Parliament
9th June 2026
Coming into force
Parts 1 to 3 (except articles 2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a)) and Part 4
1st July 2026
Articles 2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a)
1st November 2026
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 1(5) and (6) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991( 1 ).
This establishes the legal identity of the instrument: The Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) Amendment Order 2026, designated as Statutory Instrument 2026 No. 602.
It confirms the making date (June 8th, 2026), the laying date before Parliament (June 9th, 2026), and the commencement schedule.
Most provisions start on July 1st, 2026, but specific provisions (Articles 2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a)) are delayed until November 1st, 2026.
The authority for making the Order derives from sections 1(5) and 1(6) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
PART 1
Preliminary
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) This Order may be cited as the Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026.
- (2) This Order comes into force on 1st July 2026, subject as follows.
- (3) Articles 2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a) come into force on 1st November 2026.
- (4) This Order extends to England and Wales.
Article 1 covers the preliminary aspects of the Order.
Sub-section (1) provides the official short title.
Sub-section (2) sets the general commencement date as July 1st, 2026.
Sub-section (3) reiterates that specific articles (2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a)) commence later on November 1st, 2026.
Sub-section (4) specifies that the legislation applies only to England and Wales.
PART 2
Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes (England and Wales) Order 2015
Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes (England and Wales) Order 2015
- -(1) The Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes (England and Wales) Order 2015( 2 ) is amended as follows.
(2) In article 4 (exemption scheme conditions and requirements)-
- (a) in paragraph (2)-
- (i) insert 'and' after sub-paragraph (b);
- (ii) omit sub-paragraph (c) and the 'and' after it;
- (b) in paragraph (3), in the words before sub-paragraph (a), omit ', 8'.
(3) Omit article 8 (third-party insurance).
(4) In article 9 (issue of certificate of exemption), in paragraph (1)(c), for ', 7(1) and 8(1)' substitute 'and 7(1)'.
(5) In article 10 (requirements attached to certificate of exemption), in paragraph (1)-
- (a) after sub-paragraph (f), insert-
- '(fa) 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;';
- (b) omit sub-paragraph (h).
(6) In article 18 (issue of certificate of exemption to the applicant), in paragraph (1)-
- (a) insert 'and' after sub-paragraph (a);
- (b) omit sub-paragraph (c) and the 'and' before it.
(7) In article 22 (interim exemption scheme conditions and requirements), in paragraph (1)(a), omit paragraph (iii).
(8) In article 25 (additional requirements), omit paragraph (c).
Part 2 amends the 2015 Order concerning exemption schemes.
Article 4 conditions are updated by removing subparagraph (c) and associated conjunctions regarding general conditions in paragraph (2), and by removing a reference to Article 8 in paragraph (3).
Article 8, which specifically dealt with third-party insurance under this Order, is entirely omitted (Sub-section 3).
References to the omitted Article 8 are also removed from the requirements for issuing certificates in Article 9 (Sub-section 4).
Crucially, a new condition (fa) is added to Article 10, requiring supervision by an adult (over 18) for exempted dogs interacting with children under 12 in private settings, aligning with the delayed commencement.
Existing requirements concerning insurance are removed from certificate conditions (Article 10(5)(b)) and application requirements (Article 18(6)).
Finally, certain interim and additional requirements in Articles 22 and 25 are also omitted.
PART 3
Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) Order 2023
Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) Order 2023
- -(1) The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) Order 2023( 3 ) is amended as follows.
(2) In article 7 (certificate of exemption), in paragraph (c)-
- (a) after sub-paragraph (vi), insert-
( 2 ) S.I. 2015/138, amended by S.I. 2023/1407, 2024/1149.
( 3 ) S.I. 2023/1204, amended by S.I. 2024/1149; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
- '(via) 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;';
- (b) omit sub-paragraph (viii).
- (3) Omit article 8 (third-party insurance).
Part 3 amends the first 2023 Order.
Sub-section (2) modifies the criteria for issuing a certificate of exemption under Article 7.
It inserts a new requirement, sub-paragraph (via), identical to the child protection requirement added in Part 2, which mandates adult supervision for interactions with children under 12 in private spaces.
Simultaneously, it removes sub-paragraph (viii).
Article 8, which dealt with third-party insurance under this 2023 Order, is entirely omitted (Sub-section 3).
PART 4
Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes and Miscellaneous Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2023
- -(1) The Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes and Miscellaneous Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2023( 4 ) is amended as follows.
- (2) In article 5 (certificate of exemption), in paragraph (c), omit sub-paragraph (ix).
- (3) Omit article 6 (third-party insurance).
Part 4 amends the second 2023 Order.
Sub-section (2) removes sub-paragraph (ix) from the conditions for a certificate of exemption listed in Article 5(c).
Sub-section (3) completely removes Article 6, which related to third-party insurance under this specific 2023 Order.
8th June 2026
Hayman of Ullock Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
This signifies the formal execution of the Order.
It was signed on June 8th, 2026, by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), confirming Ministerial assent.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the following Orders which make provision for the exemption from the prohibition in section 1(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (c. 65)-
- (a) the Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes (England and Wales) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/138) ('the 2015 Order');
- (b) the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1204) ('the first 2023 Order'); and
- (c) the Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes and Miscellaneous Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1407) ('the second 2023 Order').
Part 2 (except article 2(5)(a)) makes provision to remove requirements in relation to third-party insurance in the 2015 Order. Article 2(2) and (4) removes the condition, as from 1st July 2026, for the owner or person in charge of a dog who is applying for a certificate of exemption to have third-party insurance in place in respect of the dog. Article 2(3) makes provision to remove the requirements on holders of certificates of exemption issued under the 2015 Order to maintain third-party insurance in respect of exempt dogs from 1st July 2026. Article 2(5)(b), (6), (7) and (8) make provision to remove the requirements to be included in certificates of exemption issued under article 10 of the 2015 Order and the requirements in relation to third-party insurance in Parts 3 and 4 of the 2015 Order.
Parts 3 and 4 (except article 3(2)(a)) make provision to remove requirements in relation to third party insurance in the first 2023 Order and the second 2023 Order. Articles 3(2)(b) and 4(2) remove the requirements to be included in certificates of exemption issued under article 7 of the first 2023 Order and article 5 of the second 2023 Order in relation to third-party insurance. Articles 3(3) and 4(3) make provision to remove the requirements on holders of certificates of exemption issued under the first 2023 Order and the second 2023 Order to maintain third-party insurance in respect of exempt dogs from 1st July 2026.
Articles 2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a) insert new requirements to be included in certificates of exemption issued under the 2015 Order and the first 2023 Order for the protection of children under the age of 12.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the amendment targets three previous Orders covering exemption schemes for dangerous dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The bulk of the changes, effective July 1st, 2026, remove all previous requirements related to third-party insurance—both for applying for and holding certificates under the 2015 Order, the first 2023 Order, and the second 2023 Order.
Conversely, the note confirms that specific articles (2(5)(a) and 3(2)(a)), which are those delayed until November 1st, 2026, introduce new protection requirements specifically focused on ensuring adult supervision of exempted dogs around children under 12 in non-public areas for the 2015 and first 2023 Orders.
The government anticipates no significant impact on public or private sectors.
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