Ministers reject dog ownership licence scheme

The Government has ruled out introducing a dog ownership licensing scheme despite receiving a wide-ranging set of recommendations from the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce aimed at reducing dog attacks and promoting responsible ownership across England and Wales.

Published on 24 September 2026, the taskforce’s report was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to examine measures that could improve responsible dog ownership and enhance public safety. The review was developed with input from representatives of the police, local authorities, veterinary bodies and animal welfare organisations.

The report comes against a backdrop of rising dog ownership and growing concern over dog attacks. According to the taskforce, an estimated 30% of UK adults owned a dog in 2025, equating to around 11.1 million dogs nationwide. At the same time, reports of dog attacks and related hospital admissions have continued to increase, prompting calls for stronger preventative measures.

Rather than recommending breed-specific controls, the taskforce focused on four key areas: public education, training for dogs and owners, enforcement of existing legislation, and improvements to data collection and management relating to dog attacks.

Among the issues considered during the review was the potential introduction of a dog ownership licensing system. However, ministers have indicated they do not intend to pursue such a scheme, instead favouring measures focused on responsible ownership, education and enforcement. The Government said it is carefully considering the report’s wider recommendations alongside existing work already underway to improve public safety and animal welfare.

In the report’s foreword, Baroness Hayman of Ullock welcomed the taskforce’s work, describing it as an important contribution to efforts to prevent attacks and encourage responsible ownership across all dog breeds. She said the recommendations provide a foundation for future action and confirmed ministers are reviewing the proposals.

The taskforce was established in 2022 following research commissioned by Defra and undertaken by Middlesex University into measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership. Its report is intended to support the development of a more preventative and evidence-led approach to dog control.