The law places additional duties on those who own a ‘dangerous dog’ breed. Under the Dangerous Dog Act, these are –

• Pit bull terriers
• Japanese mastiffs (Japanese Tosa)
• Brazilian mastiffs (Fila Braziliero)
• Argentinean mastiffs (Dogo Argentino)

Owners of these breeds must keep the dog on a lead and muzzled while in public. They must also be registered with the Index of Exempted Breeds.

If a dog owner fails to meet any of these legal obligations, it could result in their dog attacking and injuring someone. If so, the dog owner could be at fault.

If the owner of a dog is unknown or has no insurance or money to pay damages, it may be possible to claim compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme if the injury was caused by a crime.

We understand how frightening it is to be bitten or attacked by a dog. Dogs can be vicious. Bites can result in significant soft tissue injuries. These can easily become infected. The physical scars can last a lifetime, causing disfigurement. Psychological damage can also be caused, such as post-traumatic stress, self-esteem issues and a phobia of dogs.

Sometimes, a dog attack is fatal. These are tragic cases and most commonly involve vulnerable people such as young children and the elderly.

If you are bitten by a dog, get the name and contact details of the dog owner and anyone who witnessed the incident. Also, report the attack to the police as soon as possible and take photographs of your injuries. If you have not already seen a doctor, then seek medical attention as this can prevent an injury from becoming infected.

If you can, try to find out if the dog that attacked you has a history of violence or aggression by making contact with your local Council’s dog warden. Next, contact us to discuss making a dog bite claim.

Every case is unique. At Serious Accident Solicitors Ltd, we specialise in personal injury claims. This gives us the expertise needed to analyse what went wrong, and why. Sometimes, a dog bite is just an accident. However, if the owner failed to take the necessary precautions to protect you from harm, you could be entitled to compensation. Usually, a dog owner has home or pet insurance and the claim is made against their insurance company.

We will never pressure you into making a claim but if you want to claim compensation for a dog bite, we are here to help you.