Dog bites are the most common type of animal attack leading to a personal injury claim.
Our personal injury solicitors can advise you on the strength of your case if you have been the victim of a dog attack causing a personal injury.
The number of dog attacks in our country appear to be on the increase, and the breeds most commonly involved in these attacks change from year to year as the popularity of breeds change.
Dog attacks on people, particularly children, are extremely frightening and often appear unprovoked. The attacks can leave a person both physically and mentally scarred and in the more serious cases, extensive cosmetic surgery will be required.
In the event of a dog attack it is important to report the incident to the police as soon as possible. A prosecution is more likely to occur if the dog has a history of aggression. Also, in order to make a claim for compensation, the incident involving the dog bite must have occurred within the last 3 years.
Dogs may become dangerous for a number reasons. However, at the end of the day, liability for the danger of the dog should rest with the owner of the dog or person in charge at the relevant time.
A dog may bite because it has not been properly trained or socialised, and therefore may become nervous or panicked when introduced to different people and situations. Dogs may bite over their need to protect their territory or in an attempt to establish dominance over the person bitten. Many owners may consider that biting and aggression are acceptable forms of behaviour, and this can be particularly dangerous for infants in the proximity of such dogs.
Alternatively, a dog may bite because its breed is aggressive by nature. This may be relevant where dogs are bred to be used purely as guard dogs.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 classifies certain breeds of dog as dangerous and makes it illegal to own such a dog without satisfying certain stringent legal requirements which include neutering and insuring the dog. The following are classified as dangerous dogs:
- Pit Bull Terrier (including cross bred pitbulls)
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
The statute further states that such dogs cannot be in a public place without being muzzled and securely kept on a lead by a person who over 16 years old.
It is also an offence (regardless of the breed of dog) if the dog is dangerously out of control in a public place.
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