Are there banned dangerous dog breeds in Malta and must I register them?
No, no dog breed is banned in Malta for being "dangerous" — but that is not the whole story. Historically, Maltese law banned no breed, and that is still true where danger or aggression is the reason. But since 13 December 2024, new rules under the Animal Welfare Act (Cap. 439) prohibit the breeding, sale and advertising of mixed or non-pedigree "bully" breed dogs. The myth: that Malta "banned dangerous dogs". The law itself says it was not introduced because of aggression, but to cut abandonment and the overpopulation of these dogs. If you already own one, you can keep it, but it must be microchipped and registered before 13 December 2024. After that date, you can only get a bully breed dog from a licensed breeder registered with a recognised kennel club, or by adopting from a licensed sanctuary.
📋 The rules
- No dog breed is banned in Malta as "dangerous"; the new rules are about breeding and sale, not aggression.
- Since 13 December 2024, it is illegal to breed, sell or advertise mixed or non-pedigree "bully" breed dogs.
- A bully breed dog you already own stays legal if it is microchipped and registered (SL 437.101) before 13 December 2024.
- After that date, you can only get a bully breed dog from a licensed breeder registered with a recognised kennel club, or by adoption from a licensed sanctuary.
- A pure-bred (pedigree) dog may be bred only with another pedigree dog, with the litter registered with a kennel club and issued a pedigree certificate.
🔓 Exceptions
- Existing bully breeds, whether pure or mixed, are not affected if they were registered by the deadline.
- Pedigree dogs with a certificate may still be bred legally through a recognised kennel club.
- If a mixed bully breed dog is found microchipped before December 2024, it is returned to its owner; if unchipped, Animal Welfare collects it.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Anyone caught breeding mixed bully breeds after 13 December 2024 can face an administrative fine of up to €1,000 per dog for a first infringement. If that is not paid within 30 days, criminal court proceedings follow. On first conviction, the penalty is a fine of €2,000 to €65,000 or imprisonment up to 3 years, or both; on a subsequent conviction, the fine rises to €6,000–€80,000. The Director for Animal Welfare can even skip the administrative fine and file criminal charges directly where there is a serious or repeat breach. Puppies born from illegal breeding may be kept only if microchipped, but cannot be sold, bred or advertised, and each one carries a fine of up to €1,000. Beyond the money, there is the risk the dog is removed from you and an entry on the Animal Welfare record.
📎 Official sources
- Commissioner for Animal Welfare · bully breeds FAQ →
- Legislation Malta · Animal Welfare Act (Cap. 439) →
- Animal Health and Welfare Department (AHWD) · legislation →
❓ Frequently asked
Are Pit Bulls and bully breeds banned in Malta?
No breed is banned for being dangerous; what changed in 2024 is that you cannot breed, sell or advertise mixed or non-pedigree bully breed dogs. A bully breed dog you already own can be kept as long as it is microchipped and registered before 13 December 2024.
Can I keep the bully breed dog I already own?
Yes — existing bully breeds, whether pure or mixed, are not affected by the new law. The key condition is that the dog is microchipped and electronically registered under Subsidiary Legislation 437.101 before the December 2024 deadline.
Where can I legally get a bully breed dog now?
After 13 December 2024 you can only get a bully breed dog from a licensed breeder registered with a recognised kennel club, or by adopting one from a licensed sanctuary. You cannot buy mixed bully breeds from backyard breeders who breed and sell without a licence.
How big is the fine for breeding mixed bully breeds?
For a first infringement you can face an administrative fine of up to €1,000 per dog, and if it is not paid within 30 days criminal proceedings follow. On conviction, the fine rises to €2,000–€65,000 or imprisonment up to 3 years, and more for a repeat breach.
Was the law introduced because these dogs are aggressive?
No — the Commissioner for Animal Welfare states clearly that the law was not introduced because of aggression. The aim is to reduce the abandonment and overpopulation of mixed bully breeds, which end up in shelters the most and are the hardest to rehome.
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