A recent release of government data unveils that approximately 3,500 prohibited dog breeds are legally residing in homes across Scotland, England, and Wales, thanks to a unique exemption scheme, as reported by BBC News.

Presently, the United Kingdom identifies four banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Pit Bull Terriers, the Japanese Tosa, the Fila Brasileiro, and the Dogo Argentino. Notably, Pit Bull Terriers constitute the predominant banned dogs permitted to coexist legally with their owners, as revealed by data from the U.K.’s Department for Environment, food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

However, breaking news includes the U.K. government's announcement of plans to include the American Bully XL in the list of banned breeds by the year's end. Officials cite frequent reports of fatal attacks involving this breed as the primary driver behind their decision.

How the UK’s exemption scheme operates:

• Dogs categorized as banned breeds can reside with their owners if they successfully pass a court-ordered behavioral assessment.
• If a dog passes the test, signifying it poses no threat to the public, authorities register the banned breed with the U.K. Index of Exempted Dogs.
• Owners must adhere to stringent restrictions, including presenting a certificate of exemption upon request, keeping their dog on a lead and muzzled in public spaces, and obtaining third-party insurance annually.

One Pit Bull owner’s experience:

Anita Mehdi, the owner of a 7-year-old Pit Bull Terrier named Lola, recounted a distressing incident in 2019 when U.K. authorities seized Lola following public reports. "My whole world sort of fell apart. They locked her in a cage, shut the door, and drove off, leaving me sobbing in the road," shared Mehdi.

Fortunately, Lola successfully completed the behavioral assessment, securing Mehdi the court's approval to retain her beloved dog.

Reflecting on the challenging experience, Mehdi now dutifully adheres to all restrictions governing banned dogs registered under the exemption scheme. "I take the restrictions very seriously. I wouldn’t risk having Lola euthanized and put to sleep," she affirmed.

Additionally, she expressed, "She’s just my entire world. So although I don’t like it, I do it because I love her."<