Dog Bite Claims FAQs

James McNally’s Dog Bite Claims FAQs

James McNally, AKA the dog bite solicitor, answers the most Frequently Asked Questions about dog bite claims in relation to:

children
walkers and ramblers
police dogs
professional dog walkers
dog bites in the office
people who work with dogs
contractors, builders, and tradesmen

Dog Bites and Children FAQs

My child has been bitten by a dog. Can we claim compensation?

Yes. A child who has been injured by a dog will often have a valid compensation claim. Claims are usually brought by a parent (or a responsible adult known as a litigation friend) on the child’s behalf. The claim can include compensation for pain and suffering, scarring, psychological injury, medical treatment, and any future care needs.

Are dog bites to children common?

Unfortunately, yes. Children are particularly vulnerable to dog attacks due to their size, behaviour, and limited understanding of risk. Many incidents occur in familiar environments, including family homes and the homes of friends or relatives.

Why are children more likely to suffer serious injuries?

Young children are often at the same height as a dog’s head, meaning bites frequently involve the face, head or neck. These injuries can result in permanent scarring and significant psychological trauma.

Are only certain dog breeds dangerous?

No. While public attention often focuses on banned breeds such as XL Bullies, any dog can bite. Most serious incidents involve familiar family pets rather than prohibited breeds. Behaviour, environment and supervision are usually more important than breed.

Who is responsible if a child is bitten by a dog?

In most cases, the dog owner will be legally responsible. The law often imposes liability even where the dog has never bitten before or is normally considered gentle.

What should parents do if their child suffers a dog bite?

Seek medical treatment immediately, take photographs of the injuries, record what happened while memories are fresh, identify the dog owner and ask if they have insurance. Speak to any witnesses and obtain legal advice as soon as possible.

Dog Attacks on Walkers and Ramblers FAQs

Can I claim if I am attacked by a dog while walking on a public footpath?

Possibly. Liability will depend on the circumstances, including who controlled the dog, whether the risk was foreseeable, and whether reasonable precautions were taken.

Are farm dogs allowed on land crossed by public footpaths?

Yes. Farmers are generally entitled to keep working dogs on their land. However, they may be liable if a dog presents a known danger and appropriate steps have not been taken to protect members of the public.

What are the main risks to walkers?

Problems can arise with territorial farm dogs, guard dogs, poorly controlled dogs, or situations involving livestock. Incidents can range from aggressive behaviour and chasing, to serious bite injuries.

What if I am walking my own dog?

You have legal responsibilities too. Dog owners must keep dogs under close control, particularly near livestock. Allowing a dog to chase or distress livestock can result in significant penalties.

How can walkers reduce the risk of a dog attack?

Stay on marked paths, keep dogs under close control, avoid approaching farm animals, use leads where appropriate, and leave fields calmly if animals become aggressive.

Police Dog Bite Claims FAQs

Can I claim compensation if I am bitten by a police dog?

Yes. However, these cases are more complex than ordinary dog bite claims because police dogs are used for law enforcement purposes. The key issue is whether the use of force was lawful, necessary, and proportionate. We have successfully recovered compensation for innocent people who have been bitten by police dogs.

When might a police dog bite give rise to a claim?

Claims may arise where a dog was deployed without proper warning, where excessive force was used, where a suspect was compliant, or where the dog was not properly controlled after deployment.

What evidence is important in a police dog claim?

Body-worn video footage, police records, witness statements, photographs, and medical evidence can all be crucial in establishing what happened.

What compensation can be recovered for a bite by a police dog?

Compensation may be available for physical injuries, scarring, psychological trauma, loss of earnings, medical treatment, and rehabilitation costs.

Professional Dog Walker Liability Claim FAQs

I was bitten by a dog being walked by a professional dog walker. Can I claim compensation?

Yes. If a dog walker failed to control a dog properly, and you were injured, you may have a valid compensation claim.

Who is responsible: the dog walker or the owner?

Potentially both. The law recognises that both the owner and the person in control of the dog at the time may be liable.

What duties does a professional dog walker owe?

A professional dog walker is expected to supervise dogs properly, assess risks, use leads where appropriate, and manage group walks safely.

Is insurance available for professional dog walkers?

Most professional dog walkers carry public liability insurance, which often covers claims arising from dog bite incidents. If you are bitten then ask the dog walker for their insurance details.

Dog Bites In Dog-Friendly Offices FAQs

Can I claim if I am bitten by a dog at work?

Yes. A dog bite at work may give rise to a claim against the dog owner, the employer, or both.

Why do dog bite incidents commonly happen in offices?

Common causes include dogs becoming territorial, overstimulated by busy environments, poorly supervised, or interacting with unfamiliar people.

What responsibilities do employers have?

Employers must provide a safe workplace. If dogs are allowed in the office, employers should carry out risk assessments, implement policies and take reasonable steps to minimise risks.

What evidence should I keep if I’m bitten at work?

Accident reports, photographs, witness details, medical records, and workplace policies relating to dogs can all be important evidence in a legal claim.

Dog Bites to People Who Work With Dogs FAQs

Can I claim if I work with dogs and get bitten?

Yes. Working with dogs does not mean you automatically accept avoidable risks. Claims may arise where risks were known but not properly managed by those with responsibility.

Who might be liable if you are bitten while working with dogs?

Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with the dog owner, your employer, the person controlling the dog at the time, or a combination of these parties.

What types of workers commonly bring claims?

Dog walkers, groomers, kennel workers, dog trainers, and veterinary staff can all potentially bring claims where injuries result from inadequate safety measures or undisclosed risks.

What compensation can be recovered if you are bitten while working with dogs?

Compensation may include damages for pain, suffering, scarring, psychological injury, loss of earnings, and treatment costs.

Dog Bites to Builders, Tradesmen, and Contractors FAQs

Can a tradesperson claim after being bitten by a dog at a customer’s property?

Yes. Builders, plumbers, electricians, gardeners, decorators and other tradespeople are often entitled to claim compensation if they are bitten while lawfully attending a property.

Does it matter whether the bite happened inside the house or in the garden?

No, the dog owner’s responsibilities apply throughout the property, including inside the home, gardens, grounds, and driveways.

What if I am self-employed?

Self-employed workers can usually claim for loss of earnings, cancelled work and other financial losses resulting from the injury. In many cases, this forms a substantial part of the claim.

Who pays the compensation?

Claims are commonly handled through the dog owner’s home insurance policy rather than being paid personally by the owner.

What evidence should I keep?

Photographs, medical records, witness details, records of lost work and earnings, invoices, and accounts can all help support a claim.

How quickly should I seek legal advice after a dog bite?

As soon as possible. Early legal advice helps preserve evidence, identify the correct defendant and insurer, and ensure the full impact of the injury is properly documented.

James McNally and his specialist dog bite team are here to help

Slee Blackwell is a nationally recognised, SRA regulated firm of solicitors specialising in dog bite compensation claims. We are recommended by both Chambers and The Legal 500 directories.