# The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

S.R. 2026/124 · made 25 June 2026 · revised to 1 November 2026

Article 2 of this Order amends the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order (Northern Ireland) 1991 by removing the requirement to have in place third-party liability insurance in respect of Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero dogs designated under Article 25A of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 imposing restrictions on these dogs, and introduces a new exemption condition that safeguards children under the age of 12.

Made under: The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (Article 25A)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/dangerous-dogs-compensation-and-exemption-schemes-amendment-order-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisr_20260124_en.pdf; NI Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/dangerous-dogs-compensation-and-exemption-schemes-amendment-order-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisrem_20260124_en_001.pdf; Correction slip (27 October 2026) https://openlegislation.uk/dangerous-dogs-compensation-and-exemption-schemes-amendment-order-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisrcs_20260124_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

Dogs
Made 25th June 2026
Coming into operation in accordance with Article 1
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 25A(3), (5) and (6) of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, makes the following Order.

## 1 Citation and Commencement

(1) This Order may be cited as the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3) this Order comes into operation on 1st July 2026.
(3) Articles 2(4)(b) and 3(2)(b) come into operation on 1st November 2026.

## 2 Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order 1991

(1) The Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order 1991 shall be amended as follows.
(2) In Article 5 (conditions for adult dogs), omit condition (c) “that there is in force in respect of the dog third party insurance which complies with Article 9;”.
(3) Article 9 (third party insurance) is repealed.
(4) In Article 11 (certificate of exemption), in paragraph (2)—
(a) omit (e) “a requirement to satisfy the district council that a policy of insurance which complies with Article 9 continues in force;”;
(b) after (f) insert—
“(fa) a requirement to ensure that the dog does not come into close contact with a child under the age of 12 in any place, other than a public place, unless the dog or the child being supervised by a person (whether the holder of the certificate or some other person) who is over the age of 18;”

## 3 Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

(1) The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 shall be amended as follows.
(2) In Article 7 (certificate of exemption), in condition (e)—
(a) omit (ii) “to satisfy the district council that a policy of third-party insurance compliant with Article 8 is in force;”;
(b) after (iv) insert—
“(iva) to ensure that the dog does not come into close contact with a child under the age of 12 in any place, other than a public place, unless the dog or the child is being supervised by a person (whether the holder of the certificate or some other person) who is over the age of 18;”;
(c) omit (vi) “to produce to an officer confirmation that a policy third-party insurance compliant with Article 8 is in force within five days of being requested to do so by that officer”.
(3) Article 8 (third-party insurance) is repealed.

## Signature

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on 25th June 2026
L.S.
Neal Gartland
A senior officer of the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)
Article 2 of this Order amends the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order (Northern Ireland) 1991 by removing the requirement to have in place third-party liability insurance in respect of Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero dogs designated under Article 25A of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 imposing restrictions on these dogs, and introduces a new exemption condition that safeguards children under the age of 12.
Article 3 of this Order amends The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 to remove the requirement to have in place third-party liability insurance in respect of XL Bully dogs designated under Article 25A of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 imposing restrictions on these dogs, and introduces a new exemption condition that safeguards children under the age of 12.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2026/124 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/dangerous-dogs-compensation-and-exemption-schemes-amendment-order-northern-ireland-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.