Government to scrap insurance need for dangerous dogs

Owners of XL bully-type dogs will no longer be legally obliged to have insurance for them, after the island's government confirmed it intends to scrap the requirement.

It comes after the only insurer offering the cover in Jersey resolved to stop its provision.

The requirement for third party liability insurance has been in place since December 2025 but a government spokesperson has said the process to remove it is "underway".

American bulldog owner Nina Morgan said it "takes pressure off owners" to find cover should no insurer offer it, but they remain "utterly exposed" as risks are not confined to aggression.

Earlier this year, Dogs Trust announced it was ending its policy covering dangerous breeds as demand had doubled, leading to a significant increase in claims.

It was the only insurer providing this type of cover to the UK and Channel Islands.

Following a law change in 2025, Jersey residents are legally required to have insurance if they own an XL bully-type dog.

The change was one of a handful brought in to toughen up rules around dangerous breeds.

The UK Government has since scrapped the requirement for third party liability insurance, and now Jersey has announced plans to follow suit following discussions between the parishes, government and the States vet.

A spokesperson for the Infrastructure & Environment department said "the requirement for third party liability insurance is being removed from the law" describing the process as "underway" despite there being no date set for the change to take effect.

Morgan said she would have liked government to have set up its own scheme to help cover people in this situation.

She said she normally insists on third party cover, but now she cannot get it for her dog Frankie, unlike owners of other breeds.

"While the removal of the requirement does take of the pressure from owners, it leaves us utterly exposed," she said.

"The risk isn't limited to the dog attacking someone out of aggression. Everyday accidents happen...

"This leaves owners with three practical choices; keep walking the dog normally and hope nothing serious ever happens, severely restrict the dog or put the dog down.

"There isn't really a middle ground," she added.

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