Sweden’s Social Democrats have proposed banning people involved in criminal gangs from owning dogs of any breed, with police able to have the animals taken away.
DR reports that the party put forward the proposal on Friday, in the middle of Sweden’s election campaign. The country votes for a new Riksdag on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and gang crime is one of the campaign’s central themes.
According to DR, the Social Democrats want a total ban, covering fighting breeds such as the american bully as well as small dogs like the chihuahua. The party says Sweden has a growing problem with fighting dogs, but that the ban is not aimed at specific breeds.
Teresa Carvalho, the party’s legal policy spokesperson, told Aftonbladet that the aim is to increase safety for ordinary people. Per Aftonbladet, she said dogs should not be usable to frighten or harm others, for instance while drugs are sold in public squares, and that dogs are also used as status markers.
Police would apply for a decision
The model is built on Sweden’s existing preventive residence bans, where police can seek an order barring a gang member from specific places. Dagens Nyheter notes that the dog ban could also apply to people with ties to criminal networks who have no convictions.
As reported by DR, police would be able to apply for a decision that a named individual may not keep a dog, after which authorities take charge of the animal. Carvalho told Aftonbladet that fighting dogs and other breeds are used in criminal circles to frighten people and as actual weapons.
SVT Nyheter states that the party wants an inquiry into a legal change allowing serious offenders to be stopped from keeping dogs, regardless of breed. SVT adds that animal welfare officers at the county administrative boards should also gain access to criminal record information when assessing owners.
Sveriges Radio reports that changes to Sweden’s animal protection legislation would be needed to carry out the plan. Helsingin Sanomat notes that the dog would be placed in the custody of the authorities once such a decision is made.
New rules adopted by the Riksdagen already took effect on May 1, 2026. They give county administrative boards and police wider powers to seize dogs and to ban individuals from keeping animals if they cannot handle them.
The Social Democrats are Sweden’s largest party and have previously proposed barring gang members from traveling abroad, associating with other criminals, starting companies and transferring money. DR reports that the exact design of the dog ban is still to be examined, as the Swedish election campaign continues.
