Draft Dogs Law (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202-

Published on: 19 August 2025

Lodged by: Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Panel

Debate date: 25 November 2025

Reference: P.63/2025

This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.

STATES OF JERSEY

DRAFT DOGS LAW (JERSEY) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 202-

Lodged au Greffe on 19th August 2025

by the Comité des Connétable s Earliest date for debate: 30th September 2025

STATES GREFFE

2025 P.63/2025

REPORT

Introduction

As a result of an increasing number of attacks by dogs in the United Kingdom, including leading to fatalities, controls have been introduced in recent years on dogs of a type or breed considered to be dangerous. In the UK the Dangerous Dog Act was introduced in 1991 to ban certain types or breeds of dog and, since 31 December 2023, controls have been extended to the XL Bully (a valid Certificate of Exemption must be held to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales).
Jersey effected a ban on certain types of dogs through the Customs and Excise (Import and Export Control) (Jersey) Order 2006. This Order was further amended from 24 February 2024 when the XL Bully was added to the list. This Order prohibits the import or export of certain breeds except under the authority and in compliance with the terms and conditions of a licence.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the Parishes confirmed in March 2025 (Dangerous-Dog-breeds.pdf) that fewer than five dog licences have been issued in 2024 and 2025 for the American XL Bully type dogs and there were no dog licences issued in 2024 or 2025 for the following: Dogo Argentino type dog; Fila Brasileiro (also known as the Fila Braziliero or the Brazilian Mastiff) type dog; Japanese Tosa (or Tosa) type dog; Pit Bull Terrier type dog.
These amendments to the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961, if adopted, will introduce controls on dogs of a type or breed considered to be dangerous.
There are also some minor amendments to redraft and bring up-to-date certain other provisions in the Law.

Registration scheme for dangerous dogs

The amendments, if approved, will introduce a registration scheme for dogs meeting the criteria of a dangerous dog set out in new Article 1B. When considering whether a dog is of a type listed, a person must have regard to guidance (if any) about the dog type published by the States Veterinary Officer (SVO).
That guidance includes a dog that may fit the characteristics and measurements of an XL Bully such as: American Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Cane Corso and Presa Canario. Dogs residing in Jersey that portray characteristics of types bred for fighting will be monitored on a case-by-case basis as they come to the attention of the SVO.
Whilst the SVO is currently aware of a number of dogs that may fall within the definition of a dangerous dog, there are currently no powers to control ownership or to impose conditions to enhance public safety. Conditions imposed in England and Wales on XL Bully dogs include the dog must be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public. The dog must also be neutered, fitted with a microchip, kept in a secure place so it cannot escape and the owner must take out insurance against the dog injuring other people.
The Jersey registration scheme will require the SVO to maintain a register of dangerous dogs and it will be an offence to own a dangerous dog unless it is registered with the SVO. The registered owner of a dangerous dog must comply with the conditions imposed by the SVO which include:

Address at which the dog is kept which is secure to prevent the dog escaping

Advance notification to and approval of the SVO to a dangerous dog being kept at a different address
Prohibition on breeding and requirement to neuter the dangerous dog
Prohibition on abandoning, giving away, selling or transferring a dangerous dog
Dangerous dog to be kept muzzled in a public place and on a lead under the control of a person aged 18 or over
The owner must have valid third-party public liability insurance in respect of the dog which must be approved by the States Veterinary Officer.

The scheme also provides that the owner – and any person in control of a dog in a public place – must be aged 18 or over as there are penalties for offences under the Law. This differs from England and Wales where a person aged 16 and over may be the owner.

Dog licence scheme

The provisions are designed to integrate with the annual dog licence scheme. A dog licence may not be issued by a Connétable if the dog is a dangerous dog and has not been registered with the SVO.
Other amendments to the dog licence provisions include:

Providing for the revocation of a dog licence in certain circumstances (new Article 4A)
Clarifying the arrangements should an owner change address during the year (the dog licence issued by one Parish remains in force – new Article 4B)
Providing a review and appeal process should a dog licence be revoked

A dog is required to wear a collar or harness when in a public place. Currently this must include the name and address of the owner but, mindful of Data Protection, this is being amended to require only the name of the dog, a telephone number for the owner and the dog licence number.

Seizure of dogs dangerously out of control and dangerous dogs

The Law was amended in 2016 including to make provision regarding –
1. the seizure of dogs believed to be dangerously out of control; and
2. the procedures for detaining a dog that has been seized.
These provisions are amended to also provide for the seizure of dangerous dogs in certain circumstances.

Summary

The Comité wishes to record its appreciation to the SVO and her team, and to the Legislative Drafter, for their work in preparing these important amendments to the Dogs Law which it hopes will introduce proportionate controls on dangerous dogs to enhance public safety.

Financial and staffing implications

The amendments will require the SVO to register dangerous dogs, maintain a register of those dogs and of the conditions imposed. The SVO is already giving advice and guidance to owners as to whether a particular dog meets the characteristics of a dangerous dog. The implications are only likely to be significant if the SVO identifies a large number of non-compliances with the conditions imposed or with the registration requirements.

There will be a financial implication for Parishes to enhance the dog licence system to record where a dog is a dangerous dog.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

A Children's Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has been prepared in relation to this proposition and is available to read on the States Assembly website.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations, if passed, will amend the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961 (the "Dogs Law") to provide for the registration and control of dangerous dog breeds, including changes to the information required for dog licences and the information that is required on a dog's collar.

Regulation 1 introduces the amendments to the Dogs Law.

Regulation 2 amends Article 1 of the Dogs Law to include new definitions relating to a register for dangerous dogs and the States Veterinary Officer, and other definitions that relate to the redrafted provisions about dog licences.

Regulation 3 inserts 3 new Articles. New Article 1A sets out who is the owner of a dog for the purpose of the Dogs Law, clarifying that it must be a person aged 16 or over, and the position regarding assistance dogs. In the case of a registered dangerous dog the owner is the registered owner (of which there can be only 1 under the new Article 5A). New Article 1B defines "dangerous dog" by reference to certain types of dog or if its import or export is controlled. New Article 1C defines what is meant by dangerously out of control in relation to a dog. This provision has been moved from the current Article 11 but remains unchanged apart from some modernisation of the drafting.

Regulation 4 substitutes Part 2 (which deals with licences) and inserts a new Part 2A (which deals with dangerous dogs as defined in the new Article 1B).

Substituted Part 2 expands the current provisions dealing with licences. Substituted Article 2 requires a person to have a licence if they own a dog. This is similar to the existing provision in the current Dogs Law, but it requires additional information if the dog is a dangerous dog: the number on the dangerous dog register and proof of insurance. It reproduces the current offence of owning a dog without a licence (for which a person is liable to a fine of up to £1,000) and adds offences of falsely stating that a dog is not a dangerous dog or providing false proof of insurance. For both of these offences, the penalty is up to 2 years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Substituted Articles 3 and 4 largely reproduce existing provisions about exemptions for the requirement to have a licence (Article 3) and the issuing of licences by the Connétable (Article 4). Article 4 expands the grounds on which a licence must be refused if the dog is a dangerous dog. Those are that it is not registered, is not insured or the applicant for the licence is not the registered owner.

New Article 4A gives the Connétable a new power to revoke a licence if a dog has been seized because it is stray or is dangerously out of control or is considered to be a dangerous dog whose owner is not complying with the new obligations relating to ownership. The Connétable may also revoke a licence if the dog is a dangerous dog and this was not declared at the time of application or the Connétable has reason to believe that the obligations relating to ownership are not being complied with. If a licence is revoked, the licence holder must hand the dog to a person specified by the Connétable in the time period specified. If a person does not do this, they commit an offence and are liable to a penalty of 6 months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

New Articles 4B and 4C reproduce the current obligation on a licence holder to notify the Connétable of a change of address (including the offence of not notifying and the penalty of a fine of up to £1,000) and the Connétable 's obligation to keep a register of licences issued in the parish. The information on the register must now also specify whether and where the dog's DNA is recorded and, in the case of a dangerous dog, its dangerous dog registration number.

New Articles 4D and 4E introduce a review and appeal of a decision to refuse or revoke a licence. Article 4D provides for review by the Comité des Connétable s and Article 4E provides for an appeal of that decision to the Royal Court.

Substituted Article 5 reproduces the effect of the existing Article 5, which allows a Centenier to accept payment of double the amount of the fee instead of instituting proceedings in the case of a failure to obtain a dog licence or to notify a change of address.

New Part 2A deals with dangerous dogs. It inserts new Articles 5A to 5G. New Article 5A requires that the States Veterinary Officer maintains a register of dangerous dogs and specifies what information must be on the register. It also allows the States Veterinary Officer to impose conditions relating to a particular dog, which must also be recorded on the register.

New Article 5B prohibits a person from owning a dangerous dog unless it is registered and sets out the timescale for doing this. It also requires that the registered owner notifies the States Veterinary Officer of a change of name or address. A person who contravenes Article 5B commits an offence and is liable to 6 months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

New Article 5C sets out conditions for keeping a dangerous dog. This includes having approved insurance, keeping the dog at the address recorded in the register and not allowing someone who is not the owner or a member of their household to look after the dog at that address for more than 48 hours.

New Article 5D provides for a dangerous dog to be kept at a different address or be looked after by another person at the recorded address for a combined period of no more than 30 days in 12 months. If a person does not comply with the conditions in Article 5D they commit an offence. The penalty is up to 6 months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

New Article 5E prohibits breeding from a dangerous dog and requires dangerous dogs to be neutered when it is safe to do so (and before they are 18 months old). It also provides for cases where a dog is pregnant, which requires the owner to notify the States Veterinary Officer and to arrange that a veterinary surgeon terminates the pregnancy or painlessly destroys the litter. It is an offence to breed from a dog or to fail to inform the States Veterinary Officer of a pregnant dog or to fail to arrange for the pregnancy to be dealt with. The penalty is up to 6 months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

New Article 5F prohibits a person from abandoning, giving away or selling a dangerous dog unless it is taken to an animal shelter or the Magistrate has ordered that the dog can be transferred to someone else. The penalty for breaching this is 6 months imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

New Article 5G requires a dangerous dog to be kept under control and not allowed to stray. It also sets out requirements for when a dog is in public. The dog mut be under the control of a person aged 18 or over, be suitably muzzled and kept on a lead, which must be held by someone aged 18 or over. The penalty for breaching this Article is 6 months imprisonment and an unlimited fine. If a person under 18 is controlling the dog, or holding its lead, the offence is committed by the person who allowed it.

Regulation 6 substitutes Article 6, which deals with the wearing of collars by all dogs. This amends the information that needs to be attached so that the owner's telephone number is the only piece of personal information required, along with the name of the dog and the number of the licence on the register of licences. The other amendments modernise the drafting. The penalty for allowing a dog to be in a public place without a collar remains a fine of up to £1,000.

Regulation 7 substitutes Article 7. This has been amended to make it clear that it applies when a police officer seizes a dog and provides that a police officer seizing a dangerous dog must follow the procedure in Article 11, which applies to dangerously out of control dogs and is amended by these Regulations to apply to dangerous dogs.

Regulation 8 substitutes Article 8. The changes here are to make it clear that if a person who is not a police officer takes possession of a dog that they believe to be a stray dog and that they believe is also a dangerous dog, the person must immediately notify a police officer. The other changes to the Article are to modernise the drafting. The penalty for not complying with the Article remains a fine of up to £1,000.

Regulation 9 amends Article 9 to expand the offence of worrying livestock to include damage to agricultural land that causes a hazard to the health of livestock. The penalty is the same as for worrying of livestock, which is a fine of up to £1,000.

Regulation 10 amends Article 10. This deals with the procedure for seizing dogs that are not dangerously out of control or, following these amendments, dangerous dogs. It also makes amendments that are consequential on the amendments to Article 6 about the information on the collar and the renumbering of the provisions around licences. It also removes the requirements to have registers of seized dogs open to the public, which removes any concerns about personal data being shared.

Regulation 11 amends Article 11, which sets out the procedure following the seizure of dogs that are dangerously out of control or, following these amendments, dangerous dogs. This inserts into Article 11 the provisions necessary to allow a police officer to seize a dangerous dog if they have reasonable cause to believe that an obligation under new Articles 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G is not being complied with. A police officer may also be issued with a warrant to allow entry onto premises if they are satisfied that a dangerous dog is present and an offence is being committed under new Articles 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G. A warrant may also be issued if there is a dog on the premises that has not been handed over to a specified person following revocation of a dog licence. If a dog is seized, the States Veterinary Officer must be notified and the power of the Connétable in relation to an unclaimed dangerous dog is limited to arranging for it to be destroyed rather than sold or given away. There are other amendments that are consequential on the amendments to Article 6 and remove requirements to have registers open to the public.

Regulation 12 amends Article 11B, which allows a person to make representations to the Magistrate's Court for an order to be made in relation to a dog that is out of control, or a dangerous dog where the new obligations in the Dogs Law have not been complied with, or the registered owner has died or otherwise cannot look after the dog. Following a hearing, the Magistrate may order that a dog is kept under control, that the owner of a dangerous dog complies with the new obligations, that the dog is surrendered to a specified person or that the dog is destroyed. The power to order that a dog is neutered is extended to cover female dogs as well as male dogs. When making an order that returns a dog to its owner, the Magistrate may order the owner to pay expenses incurred because of the dog's detention.

Regulations 13 to 16 make consequential amendments to Articles 11C, 11D, 13 and 13A.

Regulation 17 makes a consequential amendment to the Customs and Excise (Import and Export Control) (Jersey) Order 2006 so that Schedule 1 (goods for which licence to import or export is required) refers to the new definition of dangerous dog in the Dogs Law.

Regulation 18 gives the name of the Regulations and provides that they come into force 7 days after they are made.

Draft Dogs Law (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- Contents

DRAFT DOGS LAW (JERSEY) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 202-

Contents

Regulation

Article 10 (procedure on seizure of dogs except dogs that are dangerously out of control) amended ........................................................................................................ 19
Article 11 (procedure on seizure of dogs that are dangerously out of control) amended ...................................................................................................................... 20
Article 11B (order directing dogs are to be destroyed or kept under proper control) amended ...................................................................................................................... 21
Article 11C (orders - supplementary) amended .......................................................... 22
Article 11D (procedure on appeals) amended............................................................. 22
Article 13 (penalties for offences) amended ............................................................... 23
Article 13A (power of Centenier to impose penalty)................................................... 23
Schedule 1 (goods for which licence to import or export is required) to the Customs and Excise (Import and Export Control) (Jersey) Order 2006 amended ...................... 23
Citation and commencement ...................................................................................... 23

DRAFT DOGS LAW (JERSEY) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 202-

Made [date to be inserted] Coming into force [date to be inserted]

THE STATES make these Regulations under Article 13C of the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961 –

1 Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961 amended

These Regulations amend the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961.

2 Article 1 (interpretation) amended

This Regulation amends Article 1.
After the definition "agricultural land" there is inserted –

"animal shelter" means a business licensed as an animal sanctuary under Article 15 of the Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004;

"applicant" means a person who applies for a licence;

After the definition "collar" there is inserted –

"dangerous dog" has the meaning given in Article 1B;

"dangerous dogs register" means the register of dangerous dogs maintained under Article 5A;

"dangerous dog registration number" means the registration number of a dog listed on the dangerous dogs register;

"dangerously out of control" has the meaning given in Article 1C;

"dog licence register" means a register kept by a Connétable under Article 4C; "licence" means a licence issued under Article 4;

"licence holder" means a person to whom a licence has been issued;

"licence number" means the registration number of a licence on a dog licence register;

After the definition "livestock" there is inserted – "Minister" means the Minister for the Environment; "neuter" means –

surgical castration in relation to a male dog; and

surgical spaying in relation to a female dog; "owner" has the meaning given in Article 1A;

The definition "prescribed" is deleted.
After the definition "public place" there is inserted –

"registered owner", in relation to a dangerous dog, means the owner named in the dangerous dogs register;

After the definition "States Police Force" there is inserted –

"States Veterinary Officer" means the States Veterinary Officer appointed under Article 5 of the Animal Health (Jersey) Law 2016;

3 Articles 1A, 1B and 1C inserted

After Article 1 there is inserted –

1A Meaning of owner

In this Law, a person owns a dog if they are aged 16 or over and are the person with whom the dog usually lives.
Unless the contrary is proved, a person is considered to be the owner of a dog if the dog is found or seen in that person's custody, charge, possession, house or premises.
If a dog is training to work, or is working, as an assistance dog, the owner is the organisation responsible for the dog's training and its allocation to the person it assists.
If the dog is on the dangerous dogs register, the owner is the registered owner.

1B Meaning of dangerous dog

A dog is a dangerous dog if –

it is of the type commonly known as –

the Dogo Argentino;
the Fila Brasileiro (also known as the Fila Braziliero or the Brazilian Mastiff);
the Japanese Tosa (or Tosa);
the Pit Bull Terrier; or
the XL Bully;

it is of any other type that appears to have been bred for fighting; or
it is of a type for which a licence for importation or exportation is required.

When a person is considering whether a dog is of a type listed in paragraph (1), that person must have regard to guidance (if any) about the dog type published by the States Veterinary Officer.
The Minister may by Order amend the list of dangerous dogs in paragraph (1).

1C Dangerously out of control dog

A dog is regarded as being dangerously out of control if it is not being kept under control effectively by an individual and –

it is causing or has caused death, injury or other harm to a person, a domestic animal or livestock; or
its behaviour gives, or has given, rise to reasonable alarm or apprehension on the part of a person for –

the person's own safety;
the safety of another person; or
the safety of a domestic animal or livestock.

4 Part 2 (licensing) substituted

For Part 2 there is substituted –

PART 2

LICENCES

2 Requirement to have licence to own dog

A person must not own a dog unless a licence has been issued to the owner in respect of that dog in accordance with Article 4.
An application for a licence must be made –
1. to the Connétable of the parish in which the owner resides; and
2. in the manner and form that the Connétable requires.
When applying for a licence, the applicant must declare whether the dog is a dangerous dog and, if the dog is a dangerous dog, provide –

the dog's dangerous dog registration number; and
proof of insurance complying with Article 5C.

A person who contravenes paragraph (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of level 2 on the standard scale.
An applicant who falsely states without reasonable excuse that a dog is not a dangerous dog or provides false proof of insurance commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 2 years and to a fine.

3 Exemptions from licensing requirement

A licence is not required in respect of –

a dog under the age of 6 months;
a dog used solely by a blind person for that person's guidance; or
a dog that –

is used by a deaf person; and

has been trained by an organisation that exists to train dogs for that purpose, to assist that person to overcome disabilities caused by their deafness.

The States may by Regulations specify other exemptions from the requirement to have a licence.

4 Issue of licences

The Connétable of the parish in which the owner resides must issue a licence, unless paragraph (2) applies.
The Connétable must refuse to issue a licence if –

the applicant is under the age of 16 years; or
the dog is a dangerous dog and –

the dog is not registered under Article 5A;
the dog is not covered by insurance complying with Article 5C; or
the applicant is not the person named as the owner in the register of dangerous dogs.

Unless paragraph (4) applies, a licence remains in force until the 31 January following the day on which it was issued.
A licence issued on or after 1 January and before 1 February remains in force until the 31 January in the year following the year in which it was issued.
The Comité des Connétable s may by Order prescribe a fee for the issuing of a licence.
A licence must not be issued until the prescribed fee is paid.
The prescribed fee must be credited to the General Account of the parish that issues the licence.

4A Revocation of licence

The Connétable may revoke a licence if –

the dog has been seized under Article 7, 8 or 11;
the dog is a dangerous dog and the licence holder did not declare this when applying for the licence; or
the Connétable has reason to believe that Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G has not been complied with.

If a licence is revoked under paragraph (1), the owner must hand the dog to which the licence applied to a person specified by the Connétable , within the period of time specified by the Connétable .
If the owner does not hand the dog to the person specified within the time specified, the owner commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.

4B Change of licence holder's address

If a licence holder moves to a new address, they must notify the Connétable of the parish in which the licence was issued within 7 days beginning on the day after they move (in addition to any requirement under Article 5B to notify the States Veterinary Officer if the licence relates to a dangerous dog).
The notification must be made in the manner required by the Connétable .
If the licence holder moves to a different parish, the licence remains valid for that parish until the licence expires.
A person who contravenes paragraph (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of level 2 on the standard scale.

4C Register of licences

The Connétable of each parish must keep a register of all licences issued in the parish under this Part.
The dog licence register must specify –

the name, address and telephone number, and the email address, if any, of the person to whom the licence is issued;
if provided on the application, the name of each dog in respect of which a licence is issued;
identifying features of each dog, which may include –

the breed or type of the dog;
the sex of the dog;
the year of birth of the dog;
whether the dog has an identifying microchip or whether any other feature that may assist with accurate identification is attached to the dog;
if the dog's DNA is recorded and where it is recorded;

if the dog is a dangerous dog, the dangerous dog registration number and any conditions imposed by the States Veterinary Officer.

4D Review of decision to refuse or revoke licence

A person who is aggrieved by a Connétable 's decision to refuse to issue a licence under Article 4(2) or to revoke a licence under Article 4A may give notice in writing to the Connétable that the person wishes to have the decision reviewed by the Comité des Connétable s.
The notice must –

be given within 21 days starting on the day after the Connétable notifies the person of the decision, or within such further time as the Connétable allows; and
include a statement of the grounds on which the review is sought.

On receiving the notice the Connétable must, within a reasonable time, notify the chair of the Comité des Connétable s who must convene a panel of 3 Connétable s to review the decision.

If the Connétable who receives the notice is the chair of the Comité des Connétable s, they must immediately notify the vice-chair of the Comité des Connétable s, who must convene a panel of 3 other Connétable s to review the decision.
The panel of Connétable s must not include the Connétable who receives the notice.
The panel must review the decision and confirm or reverse the decision and, within 21 days –

notify in writing the person and the Connétable whose decision has been reviewed of the panel's decision and the reasons for it; and
if the panel confirms the decision of the Connétable , inform the person of their right to appeal to the Royal Court under Article 4E.

4E Appeal to Royal Court

A person who is aggrieved by a decision of a panel of the Comité des Connétable s to confirm a decision on a review under Article 4D may appeal against the decision to the Royal Court.
The appeal must be made within 28 days after the panel notifies the person in writing of the decision, or within such further time as the Royal Court allows.
On hearing the appeal, the Royal Court may confirm or reverse the decision.

5 Offences under Part 2

A person who commits an offence under Article 2 or 4B in respect of more than 1 dog is liable for each dog in respect of which the offence is committed.
A Centenier may accept payment of double the amount of the fee payable for a licence instead of instituting proceedings in respect of the offences in Articles 2(4) and 4B.

5 Part 2A (dangerous dogs) inserted

After Article 5 there is inserted –

PART 2A

DANGEROUS DOGS

5A Register of dangerous dogs

The States Veterinary Officer must maintain a register of dangerous dogs.
The States Veterinary Officer may impose conditions upon the registration of a dog.
The register must include –

the name of the owner of the dog;
the address at which the dog is kept, which must be the same as the address at which the owner ordinarily resides;

confirmation that there is insurance complying with Article 5C in respect of the dog;
the number of the identifying microchip implanted in the dog;
if the dog's DNA is recorded, where it is recorded; and
any conditions imposed by the States Veterinary Officer.

The States Veterinary Officer must not register a dangerous dog if the dog has not been microchipped, unless the States Veterinary Officer –

has determined that implanting a microchip would be harmful to the dog and has provided written confirmation of this to the owner; or
has informed the owner that the dog must be microchipped by a particular date and has added that as a condition of registration.

The register must name only 1 person as the registered owner of the dog and that person must be aged 18 or over.

5B Prohibition on owning unregistered dangerous dog

A person must not own a dangerous dog unless the dog is registered under Article 5A within 30 days starting on –

the day on which the person first acquires the dog;
if the person owns the dog from the day it was born, the day of its birth; or
in the case of a type of dog that becomes a dangerous dog after the person acquired it, the day on which the type becomes a dangerous dog.

A person who owns a dangerous dog when the Dogs Law (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- come into force must register the dog within 30 days starting on the day those Regulations come into force.
The registered owner must notify the States Veterinary Officer within 7 days after any of the following –

the name of the registered owner changes;
ownership is transferred in accordance with an order made under Article 11B; or
the registered owner moves to a new address approved by the States Veterinary Officer under Article 5C.

A person who contravenes this Article commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.
The Minister may by Order prescribe a fee for registering a dangerous dog.

5C Conditions for keeping dangerous dog

The registered owner of a dangerous dog must comply with conditions imposed by the States Veterinary Officer under Article 5A and the conditions in this Article.
Unless Article 5D applies, the registered owner of a dangerous dog must –

keep the dog at the address recorded in the register; and
keep the dog in secure conditions that prevent it escaping.

If the registered owner intends to move to a new address, they must notify the States Veterinary Officer of the intended new address and must not keep the dog at that address unless the States Veterinary Officer approves the address.
Unless Article 5D applies, a person who is not the registered owner or a member of the registered owner's household must not look after the dangerous dog at the address recorded in the register for more than 48 hours.
The registered owner must have valid third-party public liability insurance in respect of the dog, which must be approved by the States Veterinary Officer.
A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this Article commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.
The Minister may by Order amend the requirements in this Article.

5D Temporary address or keeper

The registered owner of a dangerous dog must not keep, or allow another person to keep, the dog at a different address from the one recorded in the register ("recorded address") unless –

the States Veterinary Officer has been notified of the address and has confirmed in advance in writing that they consider that the premises are secure and the other person is appropriate; and
the other person complies with any conditions the States Veterinary Officer imposes regarding the premises at the address.

A person other than the registered owner may look after the dog at the recorded address if –

the person is aged 18 or over;
the States Veterinary Officer has been notified by the registered owner that the person will be looking after the dog and the States Veterinary Officer has confirmed in advance in writing that they consider that the person is appropriate; and
the person complies with any conditions the States Veterinary Officer imposes regarding the care of the dog.

The period for which a dangerous dog is to be kept at a different address under paragraph (1) or looked after by a different person at the recorded address under paragraph (2) must not exceed a combined total of 30 days in a period of 12 months, unless the States Veterinary Officer agrees a longer period.
A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes this Article commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.

5E Prohibition on breeding dangerous dogs

A person must not breed from a dangerous dog.
The registered owner of a dangerous dog must ensure the dog is neutered by a veterinary surgeon as soon as it is safe to do so and in any case before the dog is 18 months old.
If the registered owner of a dangerous dog becomes aware that the dog is pregnant, the owner must –

no later than 3 days after becoming aware, inform the States Veterinary Officer; and
as soon as practicable, arrange for a veterinary surgeon to terminate the pregnancy or, if the pregnancy cannot safely be terminated, painlessly destroy the litter immediately after birth.

A person who contravenes this Article commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.

5F Prohibition on abandoning, giving away, selling or transferring dangerous

dogs

A person must not abandon, give away, sell or otherwise transfer ownership, or permit the abandoning, giving away, selling or transferring, of a dangerous dog, unless the transfer of ownership is permitted under paragraph (2).
Ownership of a dangerous dog may be transferred –

by taking the dog to an animal shelter, if the shelter agrees to receive it; or
in accordance with an order made under Article 11B.

A person who contravenes paragraph (1) commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.

5G Control of dangerous dogs

The registered owner of a dangerous dog, or any person who has control of a dangerous dog, must not allow the dog to stray.
When a dangerous dog is in a public place it must –

be under the control of a person aged 18 or over;
be muzzled with a muzzle suitable for the dog, unless the removal of the muzzle is necessary for the dog to receive veterinary treatment; and
be kept on a lead of a type that adequately controls the dog and that must be held by a person aged 18 or over.

A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraphs (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 6 months and to a fine.
For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), if a dog in a public place is under the control of a person aged under 18 or is held on a lead by a person aged under 18, the offence is committed by the person who permitted the person aged under 18 to have control or hold the lead.

6 Article 6 (wearing of collars by dogs) substituted

For Article 6 there is substituted –

6 Wearing of collar by dogs

When in a public place, a dog must wear a collar with the following information inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to the collar –

name of the dog;
telephone number of the owner; and
licence number.

But paragraph (1) does not apply to –

a pack of hounds;
a dog while it is being used for sporting purposes if wearing the collar could cause the dog harm;
a dog while it is being used for the capture or destruction of vermin.

If a dog is in a public place without a collar and paragraph (2) does not apply, the dog's owner, any person in charge of the dog and any person allowing the dog to be in the public place commits an offence and is liable to a fine of level 2 on the standard scale.
If the dog is not in the charge of any person, a police officer may seize it and detain it until the owner has claimed it and has paid all expenses incurred because of its detention.
Before 1 February 2026, a collar also meets the requirements in paragraph (1) if the name, address and telephone number of the owner are inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to the collar.

7 Article 7 (seizure of stray dogs) substituted

For Article 7 there is substituted –

7 Seizure of stray dogs by police officer

If a police officer has reason to believe that a dog found in a public place is a stray dog, they may seize the dog and detain it until the owner has claimed it and has paid all expenses incurred because of its detention.
But if the police office has reason to believe that the dog is a dangerous dog, they must follow the procedure in Article 11.

8 Article 8 (duty of persons taking possession of stray dogs) substituted

For Article 8 there is substituted –

8 Duty of person other than police officer taking possession of stray dogs

If a person other than a police officer takes possession of a dog that they believe to be a stray dog –

if they believe the dog is a dangerous dog, they must immediately notify a police officer;
if they do not believe the dog is a dangerous dog, they must –

return the dog to its owner; or
notify a police officer that they have found the dog and provide the person's name and address to the officer.

A person who notifies a police officer under paragraph (1)(b)(ii) may inform the police officer that they are willing to look after the dog until its owner is found and, if the police officer considers it appropriate, the police officer may allow the person to look after the dog.
If the person does not want to look after the dog, or the police officer considers that person should not look after the dog, it is treated as if it was seized by a police officer under Article 7.
A person who fails to comply with paragraph (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of level 2 on the standard scale.

9 Article 9 (worrying of livestock by dogs) amended

This Regulation amends Article 9.
In the heading, after "livestock" there is inserted "and damage to land".
After paragraph (1) there is inserted –

(1A) A person commits an offence if they own, or are in charge of, a dog and the

dog causes damage to agricultural land that causes a hazard to the health of livestock on that land (including allowing the dog to foul on the land).

(1B) If the person in charge of the dog is not the owner, the owner also commits an

offence under paragraph (1A).

In paragraph (2), after "worry the livestock" there is inserted "or cause damage to the land".
In paragraph (3), after "worried the livestock" there is inserted "or caused damage to the land".
In paragraph (4)(a), after "worrying livestock on that land" there is inserted ", or causing damage on that land".

10 Article 10 (procedure on seizure of dogs except dogs that are dangerously out

of control) amended

This Regulation amends Article 10.
In the heading, after "dangerously out of control" there is inserted "or are dangerous dogs".
For paragraph (A1) there is substituted –

(A1) This Article applies in relation to the seizure of a dog that a police officer has

no reasonable cause to believe is –

dangerously out of control; or
a dangerous dog.

In paragraph (1) –

in sub-paragraph (a), for "name and address, telephone number or email address" there is substituted "telephone number";
in sub-paragraph (b), for "Article 4(3)" there is substituted "Article 4C".

In paragraph (2) –

in sub-paragraph (b), ", or at the address given on the collar" is deleted;
in sub-paragraph (c), ", or at the address inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to the collar" is deleted;
in sub-paragraph (d), for "Article 4" there is substituted "Article 4C".

In paragraph (3)(a) –

in clause (i), for "name and address, telephone number or email address" there is substituted "telephone number";
in clause (ii), for "Article 4(3)" there is substituted "Article 4C".

Paragraph (6) is deleted.
In paragraph (7), "and such register is open to inspection by the public" is deleted.

11 Article 11 (procedure on seizure of dogs that are dangerously out of control)

amended

This Regulation amends Article 11.
In the heading, after "dangerously out of control" there is inserted "or are dangerous dogs".
Paragraph (1) is deleted.
For paragraphs (2) and (3) there is substituted –

A police officer may seize a dog in a public place if the police officer has reasonable cause to believe –

the dog is dangerously out of control;
the dog is a dangerous dog and an obligation under Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G is not being complied with in relation to that dog; or
the dog is a dog in respect of which a licence has been revoked under Article 4A and that has not been handed to the person specified by the Connétable within the period of time specified by the Connétable .

A police officer may apply to the Bailiff , a Jurat or the Magistrate for a warrant authorising a police officer to enter and search premises.

(3A) The Bailiff , Jurat or the Magistrate may issue the warrant if they are satisfied

that there exists on the premises specified in the application –

a dog that is dangerously out of control;
a dangerous dog in respect of which there is evidence that an offence under Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G has been, or is being, committed;
evidence that is likely to be of substantial value, whether by itself or together with other evidence, to the investigation of an offence under Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G or 11A and does not consist of or include excluded items or materials; or
a dog in respect of which a licence has been revoked under Article 4A that has not been handed to the person specified by the Connétable within the period of time specified by the Connétable .

(3B) For the purposes of paragraph (3A)(c), "excluded items or materials" means –

items subject to legal privilege within the meaning of Article 5 of the Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003; or
excluded material or special procedure material within the meaning of Article 6 of the Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003.

In paragraph (4) –

after "dangerously out of control" there is inserted "or is a dangerous dog";
for "under paragraph (3)" there is substituted "by a warrant issued under paragraph (3A)".

In paragraph (6), for "when a dog causes injury, death or harm to an individual or a domestic animal or livestock or gives rise to the apprehension described in paragraph (1)" there is substituted "if a dog is dangerously out of control".
After paragraph (7) there is inserted –

(7A) If a dog is seized under this Article, a police officer must inform the States

Veterinary Officer as soon as practicable.

In paragraph (8) –

in sub-paragraph (a), for "name and address, telephone number or email address" there is substituted "telephone number";
in sub-paragraph (b), for "Article 4(3)" there is substituted "Article 4C".
after "sold, given away or destroyed" there is inserted "or, in the case of a dangerous dog, destroyed".

In paragraph (9) –

in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c), ", or at the address inscribed on the collar or plate attached to the collar of the dog" is deleted;
in sub-paragraph (d), for "Article 4" there is substituted "Article 4C".

In paragraph (11) –

in sub-paragraph (a)(i), for "name and address, telephone number or email address" there is substituted "telephone number";
in sub-paragraph (a)(ii), for "Article 4(3)" there is substituted "Article 4C";
after "painlessly destroyed" there is inserted "or, in the case of a dangerous dog, painlessly destroyed".

In paragraph (13), ", that is open to inspection by the public," is deleted.

12 Article 11B (order directing dogs are to be destroyed or kept under proper

control) amended

This Regulation amends Article 11B.
For the heading there is substituted –

11B Orders in relation to dangerous dogs and dogs not kept under proper

control

For paragraph (1) there is substituted –

(1) A person may make a representation to the Magistrate's Court seeking an order under paragraph (3) and alleging that –

a dog is dangerously out of control or is otherwise not kept under proper control;
a dog is a dangerous dog and Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G has not been complied with;
a dog is a dangerous dog and a licence in respect of that dog has been revoked under Article 4A;
a dog is a dangerous dog and the owner of the dog has died or is otherwise unable to take care of it or to comply with Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G.

(4) For paragraph (3) there is substituted –

(3) After hearing representations brought under paragraph (1), or hearing evidence in proceedings brought for any offence, the Magistrate's Court may, in addition to any penalty imposed, make an order –

that the dog is kept under proper control;
in the case of a dangerous dog, that –

the dog's owner complies with the obligations in Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F or 5G; or
the dog is surrendered to a person specified by the Court; or

that the dog is destroyed.

In paragraph (6), for "under paragraph (3)(a), if the dog is a male" there is substituted "under paragraph (3)(a)".
In paragraph (7), for "paragraph (3)(b)" there is substituted "paragraph (3)(c)".
For paragraph (8) there is substituted –

(8) In making an order under paragraph (3), the Magistrate's Court may –

make an order disqualifying a person from owning or keeping a dog, or type of dog, during any period the Court thinks fit; and
if the dog is returned to the owner or the person claiming responsibility for it, make an order that the owner or person pays some or all of the expenses properly incurred because of its detention.

13 Article 11C (orders - supplementary) amended

In Article 11C(1), for "Article 11B(3)(b) or 11B(6)" there is substituted "Article 11B(3)(c) or (6)".

14 Article 11D (procedure on appeals) amended

For Article 11D(1) there is substituted –

(1) The Royal Court may at any stage order that appeals be heard and determined together and may give directions for that purpose as it sees fit if –

a person has been convicted of an offence under Article 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 9 or 11A(1) and an order has been made under Article 11B(3), (6) or (8) in respect of the same incident; and
the person appeals against the conviction or sentence and against the order.

15 Article 13 (penalties for offences) amended

Article 13(1) is deleted.
In Article 13(2), for "Article 6(2), 8(2) or 9(1)" there is substituted "Article 9(1), (1A) or (1B)".

16 Article 13A (power of Centenier to impose penalty)

For Article 13A there is substituted –

13A Power of Centenier to impose penalty

If a person is charged with an offence under an Article specified in paragraph (2) and accepts the decision of a Centenier having jurisdiction in the matter, the Centenier may impose a fine of whichever is the lower of –

an amount not exceeding two-fifths of level 2 on the standard scale; or
the maximum fine provided for that offence.

This Article applies to an offence under –
1. Article 2(4);
2. Article 4B;
3. Article 6;
4. Article 8;
5. Article 9(1), (1A) or (1B).
A fine imposed under paragraph (1) is to be paid for the benefit of the parish in which the offence was committed.

17 Schedule 1 (goods for which licence to import or export is required) to the

Customs and Excise (Import and Export Control) (Jersey) Order 2006 amended

In Schedule 1 to the Customs and Excise (Import and Export Control) (Jersey) Order 2006 –

for paragraph 3 there is substituted –

3. A type of dog described in Article 1B(1)(a) or (b) of the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961;

paragraph 3A is deleted.

18 Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Dogs Law (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- and come into force 7 days after they are made.