Section 1(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (“the Act”) provides that possession or custody of certain types of dogs specified in section 1 (dogs bred for fighting) or specified in an order made under it is prohibited. The court must order the destruction of such a prohibited dog on conviction of an offence under section 1 of the Act, where such a dog is seized and no person is to be prosecuted, or on conviction of an offence under section 3 (having a dog dangerously out of control). However if the court is satisfied that the prohibited dog is not a danger to public safety under section 4(1A) or 4B of the Act, rather than make an immediate destruction order, it must order the contingent destruction of the dog. A contingent destruction order enables the dog to be exempted from the prohibition in section 1(3).