Dog Bite and Attack Claims

If you've been bitten or attacked by somebody else's dog, you may be entitled to compensation for the Injuries you have suffered as a result of the dog attack.

Common injuries resulting from dog attacks include: 

• bites, 
• cuts, 
• scarring, 
• infections, 
• soft tissue injuries 
• psychological trauma. 

Damage to clothing and property are also common losses arising from dog attacks. 

Following the commencement of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, dog owners are liable to pay compensation to a person who has suffered loss as a result of a dog attack. There is no longer a requirement for the dog attack victim to prove that the dog had a mischievous propensity, i.e. that the dog had previously attacked others. Evidence of the dog attack itself and the resulting loss and damage suffered is all that is required in order to pursue a claim for compensation. It is not necessary to prove that there was any negligence on the part of the dog owner for the attack. 

A dog owner’s home insurance will cover the majority of dog bite claims. As such it would be the dog owner’s home insurance company who would discharge compensation for the injuries suffered by the dog attack victim. The attack does not need to have occurred in the dog owner’s home for the injured party to claim from the dog owner’s home insurance. 

In the event the dog is not covered by a policy of insurance the dog owner themselves can be pursued directly, however, this can lead to difficulties where the dog owner does not have the means to pay compensation to the injured victim.