A new dog law comes into force on 1 November aimed at keeping children safe, as part of the government’s crackdown on banned breeds .

Owners of banned breed dogs will now be required to make sure that any child under the age of 12 is not left in close contact with their pet in a private place, such as a home or garden, without adult supervision.

Children under the age of 12 are at “higher risk of dog-related injuries in the home”, guidance from Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) warns, because they might make sudden movements, loud noise, or engage in close contact, which may make the animal uncomfortable.

Five dog breeds are currently banned in the UK:

Pit Bull Terrier

Japanese Tosa

Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro

XL Bully

This means it’s illegal to sell, abandon, give away or breed from any of these breeds.…