Official Report 435KB pdf
10:34
Under agenda item 5, we are considering one instrument, on which an issue has been raised.
Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 (SSI 2026/204)
This order changes the conditions of exemption for banned breeds of dogs, such as XL bullies. It removes the requirement that the owner has to have third-party insurance in respect of injury or death caused by the dog, as of 1 July 2026. This is because the only United Kingdom provider of such insurance will stop offering it at the end of June. Existing insurance policies must be kept in place until they expire.
The instrument was laid on 11 June and will come into force on 1 July. Under section 28(2) of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, instruments subject to the negative procedure must be laid at least 28 days before they come into force. Breaching this rule does not affect the validity of the instrument but does trigger an automatic report by this committee.
Does the committee wish to draw this instrument to the attention of the Parliament under reporting grounds for a failure to lay the instrument in accordance with the laying requirements?
No.
As we heard in our pre-briefing, there were valid grounds for the situation, so are we content with the Government’s explanation and that the instrument is reported?
Members indicated agreement.
We will explain in our report the reasons why we are content with the Government’s explanation.