Dog Attack Claims

One of the most unpleasant experiences anyone can go through is being attacked by a dog. It is not only terrifying, but can lead to both physical and psychological effects. Unfortunately dog attacks are quite common in the UK. Many of them involve the usual suspects such as Pit Bull Terriers, and Rottweilers. However, it is not always the most obvious breed of dogs that attack. Many other types of dogs can also pose a threat to bystanders and there have been many incidents that have been reported concerning these attacks.

It is more likely that your claim will succeed if it can be shown that the dog has a history of attacking. Therefore if there is evidence to prove that the dog had bitten or attacked someone previously, then the owner will most likely be liable to pay for compensation for the resulting dog attack. If the owner is aware of the dog's aggressive tendencies, then the owner is responsible for ensuring that the dog is restrained and controlled at all times, so that it does not pose a danger to others.

Unfortunately, young children are the most at risk from a dog attack as they are one of the most vulnerable members of society. Many of the attacks involve children, as their innocent and playful nature make them easy victims for the dogs. This is why it is essential that a young child be never left alone with a dog, regardless of whether it has posed a danger before or not. Many dog bites occur from dogs that had never even bitten anyone before. Remember, there is always a first time for everything.

According to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 certain breeds of dogs are required to be muzzled when in public places and micro-chipped. If the dog that attacked you falls under this act and was not muzzled, your claim is likely to succeed. This is even if the dog had not shown previous signs of aggressive behaviour.

Minimizing your chances of attacked by a dog

If you happen to be near a dog which is growling at you and you feel an attack is imminent, there are some things you can do to alter the situation. Try to keep as still as possible and avoid looking directly at the dog. Hopefully the dog will eventually lose interest. Of course the natural reaction would be to run as fast as possible in the other direction. However this may only excite the dog into chasing you which could result in something ugly.

What you should do if you have been bitten

Unfortunately you may not have been able to prevent yourself from being attacked by the dog, and this led to you being bitten. Whichever way the attack occurred, it is strongly advisable that you report the incident to the police or local authority. This is important not only for your own safety, but also to prevent this happening again to someone else. It is also essential that you seek medical attention straight away, even if the injury appears to be minor. Even a minor injury can become badly infected.

If you have been a victim to a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation. Our solicitors will assess your case and talk you through the process of making a claim.