Removal of 3rd party public liability insurance for XL Bully dogs
19 March 2026
We understand that owners of XL Bully dogs may be concerned to hear the news that public liability insurance will no longer be available from 1 July through the Dogs Trust Companion Club scheme. However, it’s important that owners do not panic or rush into any action at this stage.
The UK and devolved governments have confirmed that they are seeking another solution, and we are adding our voice to calls for an affordable replacement as soon as possible. Alternatively, we would hope for Defra to provide reassurance that owners will not face conviction, and dogs will not need to be euthanised if it becomes impossible to comply the current requirement for third party public liability insurance for dogs that fall under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
We also call upon the government to implement the long-awaited de-exemption scheme so that dogs who were wrongfully classified as XL bully type can be removed from the register. We maintain our position that breed specific legislation is not an effective way to keep the public and pets safe, and that when decisions, such as adding XL Bully type dogs to the Dangerous Dogs Act, are made without adequate planning and consideration, there is a huge impact on everyone involved, including charities such as PDSA.
We are committed to continue working with the government and animal sector to keep the public safe, whilst maintaining the health and wellbeing of pets, and we always advocate for following the evidence. In this case, the evidence is that banning specific breeds does not address the problem. Evidence shows that breed or type of dog is not a key factor in dog bite incidents and Breed Specific Legislation has failed to reduce dog bite numbers.
We believe that a more effective approach is to focus on responsible dog ownership and preventative measures, including stronger regulation around dog breeding and selling, better education and support for owners, and early intervention where there are concerns about a dog’s behaviour.
If you have any further questions relating to how this might impact your dog, please contact the relevant Government based on your location:
