The Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes (England and Wales) Order 2015

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).