Why are pitbulls banned in the UK?

The Japanese Tosa is also banned in the UK. It too was bred specifically for blood sports, but came from Asia. Japanese rules meant dogs weren't allowed to make any noise in the pit, so the Tosa is said to have been able to fight completely silently. The other two illegal breeds, the Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero, both came from South America. read more

The UK Government, in consultation with various connected agencies such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), considers that pit bulls along with the other breeds are potentially dangerous to other people, children and pets. read more

(Picture: Getty) Dogs come in all shapes and sizes – and the squat, muscular pit bull terrier, with its sharp row of teeth, is more than a little controversial. Both the ownership and breeding of pit bulls is banned in the UK due to the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. read more