Duncan Lewis Solicitor Featured in The Guardian on Personal Protection Dogs (9 February 2026)

Sunjay Versani, a criminal defence solicitor at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, was recently featured in The Guardian in an article exploring the rising trend of personal protection dogs in the UK.

The article, titled 'Demand has increased, without a doubt': the shocking rise of personal protection dogs, investigates the growing popularity of dogs trained to bite, hold and release on command, and the legal concerns surrounding them.

Legal Ambiguity and Owner Responsibility

Sunjay provided expert insight on the ambiguous legal status of these animals. "Legally, they are treated in exactly the same way as any other dog," he explained. "What matters is the dog's behaviour and level of control exercised by the owner, not how the animal is marketed or labelled."

Personal protection dogs do not fall under the Guard Dogs Act, meaning there is minimal regulatory oversight of who can own, breed or train these animals.

Increased Criminal Liability

Sunjay highlighted a critical risk: training a dog for protection purposes can actually increase an owner's criminal liability. "It may be treated as evidence that the dog was being used as a weapon, rather than as a pet," he said.

This could have serious legal consequences if a protection-trained dog attacks someone, even when the owner believed they were acting in self-defence.

Growing Demand

The article examines how demand has been fuelled by celebrity endorsements and security concerns, with purpose-bred dogs from premium suppliers costing upwards of £30,000. However, it raises serious questions about public safety, animal welfare and the lack of consistency in training standards across the industry.

Sunjay Versani's contribution underscores Duncan Lewis Solicitors' expertise in criminal defence matters involving complex and emerging legal issues.

Read the full article here.

About Sunjay Versani

Sunjay Versani is a Director of Crime and Prison Law at Duncan Lewis Solicitors at the firm's City of London and Harrow offices. Since joining Duncan Lewis in 2009, Sunjay has acted in thousands of contested cases including high-profile matters such as the landmark Supreme Court Waya litigation and the internationally-publicised 'Putney Bridge Pusher' investigation. His expertise spans sexual offences, white-collar fraud, extradition, violence, dishonesty, narcotics and road traffic prosecutions.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a top-ranked criminal defence practice recommended by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, our Crime & Fraud Department handles all criminal offences, from motoring law and fraud to serious and complex cases including murder, gang-related crime, drugs importations, extradition and inquests.

For expert legal advice on criminal defence matters, call 033 3772 0409.