Dangerously out of control applies to all dogs
The key issue is not only breed. Any dog can create legal and safety concern if it injures someone or makes someone reasonably worried that it may injure them.
Law and employer duty
Dog risk is not limited to banned breeds
This section is practical guidance, not legal advice. The important workplace point is that dog risk should be included in role-specific risk assessment, lone working arrangements, visit planning and post-incident review. Staff should not be left to improvise at the doorstep.
The law applies beyond public places
GOV.UK guidance states that a dog can be dangerously out of control in public, in a private place such as a neighbour's house or garden, and in the owner's home.
Banned types remain a live issue
The banned types listed by GOV.UK include Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully. Whether a dog is a banned type depends on appearance rather than only breed name.
XL Bully rules affect home-entry risk
In England and Wales, owning or possessing an XL Bully without a valid Certificate of Exemption is a criminal offence. Exempt dogs must follow conditions including lead and muzzle requirements in public and secure keeping.
Visit planning
Control the risk before anyone enters the property
The safest dog incident is the one prevented before entry. Staff need permission to ask direct questions, refuse unsafe entry and rearrange a visit where the dog cannot be secured.
- Ask before the visit whether dogs are present, how many and where they will be secured.
- Do not rely on the phrase 'the dog is friendly' as a risk control.
- Listen for barking, movement, scratching, owner delay or signs that a dog is loose before entry.
- Keep exits available and avoid being drawn past a dog into a confined space.
- Ask the owner to secure the dog before entry where there is any uncertainty.
- Withdraw and rearrange if the dog cannot be controlled safely.
Staff response
Know what to do, and what not to do
Staff need simple, rehearsed actions. The aim is not to turn them into dog handlers. The aim is to help them make safer decisions around body position, owner communication, withdrawal and reporting.
- PauseDo not rush forward, wave arms, shout or crowd the dog. Sudden movement can increase arousal.
- PositionKeep space, avoid blocking the dog or trapping yourself, and maintain a route out where possible.
- CommunicateSpeak calmly to the owner and give a clear instruction: the visit cannot continue until the dog is secured.
- WithdrawLeave early if the dog is loose, the owner lacks control, warning signs increase or the environment feels unsafe.
- ReportRecord the concern, update any warning markers and follow the organisation's lone working and incident route.
Avoidable mistakes
Common actions that can increase risk
During training, staff often describe well-intentioned behaviours that can make a dog encounter worse. Training gives staff safer habits before they are under pressure in a hallway, garden or confined room.
- Do not step over, corner or reach across a dog.
- Do not stare directly at the dog as a challenge.
- Do not put your hand out for the dog to smell if you are already concerned.
- Do not turn your back and run unless immediate escape is the only safe option.
- Do not continue a visit because the owner says the dog has never bitten before.
- Do not treat a near miss as informal if future staff may attend the same property.
If bitten or attacked
Report, treat and learn from the incident
A bite is not just a personal injury. It is evidence that the control arrangements need review. Even near misses should be recorded where future staff may attend the same address or encounter the same dog.
Move to safety and get away from the dog before dealing with paperwork or explanations.
Seek first aid and medical advice, especially for puncture wounds, infection risk or significant bleeding.
Report the incident through workplace procedures and preserve key details while fresh.
Record the location, owner details where known, description of the dog, warning signs and what happened before the bite.
Consider police, local authority or dog warden reporting routes where the dog was dangerously out of control or future risk remains.
Review visit planning, warning markers, lone working arrangements and staff support after the incident.
Expert-led training
Staff need more than a briefing note
Dangerous Dogs Awareness training should be practical, realistic and delivered by people who understand dog behaviour under pressure. Safety Solutions Training uses recently retired police dog handlers with exceptional hands-on experience, giving delegates credible guidance on warning signs, owner control, safer positioning and post-incident action.
The strongest training case is simple: if your staff enter homes, gardens, yards or sites where dogs may be present, dog risk is foreseeable. Training helps evidence that the organisation has prepared staff for that risk before an incident occurs.
View Dangerous Dogs Awareness trainingOfficial sources
Keep policy aligned to current guidance
The law and official guidance can change. Employers should periodically check current government guidance and update visit procedures, risk assessments and staff briefings accordingly.
GOV.UK: Controlling your dog in publicOfficial external source. opens in a new tabGOV.UK: Banned dogsOfficial external source. opens in a new tabGOV.UK: Ban on XL Bully dogsOfficial external source. opens in a new tabGOV.UK: XL Bully conformation standardOfficial external source. opens in a new tabGOV.UK: Get your dog or cat microchippedOfficial external source. opens in a new tab
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