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The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026

S.S.I. 2026/204 · Made 11 June 2026

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise statutory instruments, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

DOGS

Made at 9.06 a.m. on 11th June 2026

Laid before the Scottish Parliament at 1.00 p.m. on 11th June 2026

Coming into force 1st July 2026

The Scottish Ministers make the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 1(5) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991f1 and all other powers enabling them to do so.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

1991 c. 65. The functions of the Secretary of State were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46).

Contents

  1. 1Citation and commencement
  2. 2Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order 1991
  3. 3Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Scotland) Order 2024
  4. Signature
  5. Explanatory note

1Citation and commencement

This Order may be cited as the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 and comes into force on 1 July 2026.

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

(1)

The Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order 1991f1 is amended as follows.

(2)

In article 4(c) (conditions for adult dogs), at the beginning insert “subject to article 8(3),”.

(3)

In article 8 (third party insurance)—

(a)

in paragraph (1), at the beginning for “There” substitute “Subject to paragraph (3), there”,

(b)

after paragraph (2) insert—

“(3)

Paragraph (1) does not require an applicant for or holder of a certificate of exemption to obtain or renew a policy of insurance in respect of the dog on or after 1 July 2026.

(4)

Paragraph (3) is without prejudice to the requirement for a holder of a certificate of exemption to maintain in force a policy of insurance in respect of the dog obtained before 1 July 2026 where the cover provided by that policy has not yet expired.”.

(4)

In article 10(2) (certificate of exemption)—

(a)

omit sub-paragraph (d),

(b)

in sub-paragraph (e), for “a policy of insurance which complies with article 8 continues in force” substitute “article 8 continues to be complied with”.

3Amendment of the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Scotland) Order 2024

(1)

The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Scotland) Order 2024f1 is amended as follows.

(2)

In article 7(c) (certificate of exemption)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (iv), after “in force” insert “or does not require to be in force”,

(b)

in sub-paragraph (viii)—

(i)

for “confirmation” substitute “evidence”,

(ii)

after “in force” insert “or does not require to be in force”.

(3)

In article 8 (third-party insurance), after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A)

Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not require an applicant for or holder of a certificate of exemption to obtain or renew a policy of insurance in respect of the dog on or after 1 July 2026.

(3B)

Paragraph (3A) is without prejudice to the requirement for a holder of a certificate of exemption to maintain in force a policy of insurance in respect of the dog obtained before 1 July 2026 where the cover provided by that policy has not yet expired.”.

Signature

KIRSTEN OSWALD

Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers

St Andrew’s House

Edinburgh

At 9.06 a.m. on 11th June 2026

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

Article 3 of this Order amends the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Scotland) Order 2024 (“the 2024 Order”) by removing the duty under article 8 of that Order on an applicant for or holder of a certificate of exemption in respect of a XL Bully dog to obtain a third-party insurance policy in respect of that dog, or renew an existing policy, on or after 1 July 2026. New article 8(3B) of the 2024 Order, inserted by article 3(3) of this Order, provides that this is without prejudice to the continuing requirement under article 8 of the 2024 Order for the holder of a certificate of exemption to maintain in place a policy of insurance obtained before 1 July 2026 where cover under it has not yet expired (e.g. by adhering to the terms and conditions of cover).

Article 2 of this Order makes corresponding amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order 1991 (“the 1991 Order”). This contains the exemption scheme applicable to other breeds of dog designated in or under section 1(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Article 2(4)(a) corrects an erroneous cross-reference in article 10 of the 1991 Order to a requirement originally imposed by article 7 of that Order which was removed by the 2024 Order.