PDSA responds to new child safety conditions for banned breed dogs

02 November 2026

From 1 November 2026, a new child safety condition will apply to Certificates of Exemption for banned breed dogs in England and Wales. It requires owners to ensure that children under 12 are not left in close contact with their dog in a private place, such as the home or garden, without appropriate adult supervision. Defra has published guidance on the new requirement, explaining what owners need to do to comply.

PDSA recognises the importance of keeping children safe around dogs. Any dog, regardless of breed, can pose a risk in certain circumstances. Appropriate supervision, understanding canine body language and teaching children how to interact with dogs safely and respectfully are important in helping to prevent incidents and protect both children and animals.

We offer advice to help families keep children safe around dogs, including top tips: Top tips for keeping children safe around pets - PDSA and crate training your dog: Crate training your dog - PDSA

The Pet Education Partnership (PEP), of which PDSA is proud to be a member, also offers educational resources to help children understand dog behaviour and learn how to stay safe around dogs, including an engaging animation and PDSA's Canine Communication workshop: Explore PEPs child and dog safety resources.