If police have taken your dog, ask immediately which legal power they are using, which officer is handling the case, where your dog is being held and what happens next. Record the incident reference, request any seizure record or notice in writing, and contact a solicitor experienced in criminal proceedings and dog law as soon as possible. The rules depend on the reason for the seizure and where in the UK it happened; ownership documents alone do not guarantee your dog will be returned.
What to do first
- Get the case details. Ask for the police force, the officer in charge, the incident or custody reference and, if relevant, the dog legislation officer’s contact details. Ask for the precise legal power being relied on and the suspected offence.
- Find out where your dog is and what happens next. Ask where the dog is being held, who has custody, how its welfare and veterinary needs are being handled, and whether there is an interview, decision or court date. Request the seizure record, notices and any conditions in writing.
- Preserve relevant records. Keep messages, photographs, veterinary records, insurance documents, microchip and ownership details, witness contact information and a factual timeline. Do not alter or delete material, coordinate accounts with witnesses or interfere with evidence.
- Speak to a suitable solicitor urgently. Ask them to review the stated seizure power, any interview request or deadline, whether continued detention can be challenged, whether interim release is available and what court options may apply. Follow formal deadlines rather than waiting for an informal update.
- If police suspect a prohibited type in England and Wales, ask about the interim exemption scheme. Ask whether the force will consider release under that scheme and what keeper, insurance and safety conditions it would require. Buying equipment or starting training does not secure police approval or replace legal advice.
Ask questions calmly and keep a record of who told you what and when. If you are unsure what a document means or whether you must attend an interview, get legal advice before responding.
Why the legal basis matters
Police may seize a dog under different laws, depending on the alleged conduct and circumstances. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 includes powers concerning certain dogs found in public, including a dog appearing to be dangerously out of control, and a warrant route for specified searches and seizure circumstances. The 2025 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act adds a separate seizure and detention framework for specified livestock-related offences. Other allegations may involve other powers.
These routes do not have one shared timetable or set of release rules. Ask the officer to identify the exact statute and provision being used, then have a solicitor check how it applies to your case and jurisdiction. The applicable process can differ across the UK, and the available guidance cited here does not establish a complete procedure for Scotland or Northern Ireland.
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If the case involves a suspected prohibited dog in England and Wales
The Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes Order applies in England and Wales. Before a final court decision, the chief officer of police may release a suspected prohibited dog to someone intending to apply for exemption under the interim scheme. This is discretionary, not an entitlement: police must be satisfied that releasing the dog would not pose a danger to public safety, taking account of the dog’s temperament and past behaviour and whether the proposed interim keeper is fit and proper.
The Order expressly states: “Nothing in this section requires a chief officer to release a dog to which this Part applies.” An interim release application therefore does not guarantee that the dog will be returned while the case is pending.
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Conditions police may require
Depending on the case, conditions can include keeping the dog at the interim keeper’s address, notifying police of an address change, obtaining third-party insurance, keeping the dog securely, allowing access to read its microchip, and using a muzzle and lead in public. Police may impose another condition they consider appropriate to prevent danger to public safety. Ask the force for the actual written conditions for your case before making arrangements.
If the dog is approved for interim release, make sure you understand and can meet every condition. A properly fitted basket muzzle may be relevant if the conditions require a muzzle, but buying one does not itself qualify a dog for release.
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If the RSPCA was involved
The RSPCA says it works with police where it suspects cruelty or neglect and an owner refuses to cooperate. It says it may attend with police under a warrant, and that police officers can seize animals if a vet confirms suffering. The RSPCA also says it is calling for statutory powers to enter private land and outbuildings; do not assume it has general police seizure powers.
Ask the police officer which statutory power authorized entry or seizure and who currently has custody of the dog. If the RSPCA attended, ask what role it had and which officer made the seizure decision. Have a solicitor review the stated authority and circumstances.
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If your dog was taken as a stray
A stray-dog seizure may follow a different process from a criminal investigation. Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides that, in the circumstances covered by that section, a person claiming the dog is not entitled to its return unless they pay detention expenses and the applicable prescribed sum. In those circumstances, after seven clear days an officer may dispose of an unclaimed dog.
Do not apply that seven-day period to a dog seized in connection with a criminal investigation without first confirming the legal basis. Ask the officer or local authority whether the dog is being handled under the stray-dog route, what charges apply and how to claim it.
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Could police keep your dog or could a court order it destroyed?
A seizure by itself does not decide whether a dog will be returned, kept in custody, or destroyed. The outcome depends on the legal power used, the alleged conduct and evidence, any relevant classification, and decisions by police or a court. The Dangerous Dogs Act provides for destruction orders in specified statutory circumstances, while the interim exemption scheme does not guarantee release.
Ask your solicitor to assess the issues that affect your case, including whether the seizure and continued detention are lawful, whether interim release is available, what evidence addresses the dog’s history and behaviour, and whether a proposed keeper can safely meet any conditions. They can also advise about court proceedings and possible costs or orders.
What to expect from police dog-legislation guidance
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs guidance for England says every police service should have a trained dog legislation officer, or procedures for accessing one. The guidance describes the officer as a contact point for dog-related investigations. Ask whether a dog legislation officer is involved, but note that this England-specific guidance is not a complete UK-wide procedure.
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