Majority of Britons support return of dog licensing, survey finds

A majority of Britons support the reintroduction of dog licences, with 54% backing a universal requirement for pet dog ownership and a further 31% favouring licences for specific breeds, according to new polling. The findings come amid heightened public concern over the safety and regulation of certain dog breeds, particularly American XL bullies.

XL bullies were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act in December 2023 following a series of fatal attacks, including six of the ten dog-related deaths recorded in 2022. Their inclusion marked the first expansion of the Act since its introduction in 1991, and owners in England and Wales must now obtain a Certificate of Exemption to legally keep the breed.

Public sentiment suggests that current restrictions may not go far enough. Just 5% of respondents believe XL bullies should be allowed as pets without a licence, while 53% support a total ban. Another 38% favour licensed ownership only. Support for a complete ban is strongest among older age groups, with 77% of over-65s in favour, compared to just 28% of 18–24-year-olds.

The idea of broader licensing is also popular among dog owners themselves: 45% support a blanket licence requirement, and 38% back breed-specific licensing. However, younger Britons are less likely to support universal licensing, with only 22% of 18–24-year-olds in favour, compared to 72% of those aged 65 and over.

The survey also explored public attitudes toward other animals. While XL bullies are viewed as less suitable pets than snakes or tarantulas, they are not seen as dangerous as alligators or big cats, which nearly 90% of respondents believe should be banned from private ownership. Interestingly, 62% of Britons also oppose keeping hedgehogs as pets, and 78% believe foxes should remain in the wild.

Licensing support extends beyond dogs. Two-thirds of Britons (66%) believe horse ownership should require a licence, with similar views expressed for snakes (53%), pigs (43%), and tarantulas (39%). In contrast, most respondents see no need for licences for fish, hamsters, rabbits, or cats, though a third of the public (32%) believe cat ownership should be regulated.

The findings suggest growing public appetite for a more structured licensing framework for pet ownership, particularly in light of safety concerns and breed-specific risks. While dog licences were abolished in Great Britain in 1988, they remain in place in Northern Ireland at a cost of £12.50 per year. Calls for their reintroduction may gain traction as policymakers consider new approaches to animal welfare and public protection.

See the full survey results.