Dogs, and other animals – even when usually calm or ‘friendly’ – can be unpredictable and dangerous, causing harm and injury to members of the public. Dog bites alone account for over 10,000 hospital admissions annually.
Liability for injuries caused by dogs and other animals in public can fall on both the owner of the premises, or the animal’s registered owner, and there are avenues for compensation.
If you have been injured in by a dog or other animal in public and the incident was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries, financial losses and related expenses. Premier Legal Assist can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who can fight your corner on a no win, no fee basis.
Find out if you may be eligible to make a claim for a dog bite or animal-related incident in a public place by getting in touch with Premier Legal Assist today.
It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped, currently at 25% of your general and past special damages, to ensure you keep the majority of your payout. You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.
While many people profess themselves as ‘animal lovers’, pets, wild animals, and livestock can be the cause of serious accidents leading to injuries suffered by members of the public if sufficient precautions are not taken. For example, a person may be bitten by a dog in a park, knocked over by an uncontrolled dog in a public walkway, or harmed where animals were allowed into a venue without reasonable precautions being taken.
To make a claim, it is usually necessary to show that the injury happened because another person or organisation was negligent. In some cases, the claim may be brought against the occupier of the premises in which the incident occurred under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. In others, responsibility may fall on the dog owner or handler who has failed to take reasonable steps to control the risk. The Animals Act 1971 can also be relevant in some animal injury claims, including where a keeper may be liable for damage caused by an animal.
Common injuries suffered by victims of dog bites and other animal related incidents include:
Being injured by a dog or another animal can affect victims beyond just physical scars; the impact can also be emotional and financial, especially where medical treatment, counselling, travel expenses, rehabilitation or time away from normal daily activities is needed.
People visiting public places are entitled to expect reasonable steps to be taken to keep them safe. Where dogs or other animals are present, this may include making sure animals are properly controlled, supervised and kept away from members of the public where there is a foreseeable risk of harm.
Liability will depend on the circumstances: a claim may be brought against the person or organisation responsible for the premises, the animal’s owner or keeper, the person handling the animal at the time, or more than one party. Some relevant legislation includes:
Depending on the circumstances, those responsible for the premises, the animal, or both, should take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury, including:
We understand how upsetting being injured by a dog or other animal can be, especially if you believe it could have been prevented if better safety measures had been in place. Our team is on hand to assess your circumstances and, where appropriate, put you in touch with experienced solicitors to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our trusted panel of personal injury solicitors specialise in public liability claims and will ensure that your case is handled with care and professionalism. If your claim is eligible, they will seek to recover the compensation you are owed.
I was bitten or injured by an animal in a public place. How do I know if I have a claim?
You may be able to bring a claim if the incident happened within the relevant time limits and there is evidence that the dog owner, handler, occupier, event organiser, local authority or another responsible party failed to take reasonable care to keep you safe.
Premier Legal Assist is a FCA regulated claims management firm that works with experienced solicitors specialising in personal injury claims.
What should I do first after a dog bite or animal-related incident?
The first priority is to get medical attention and report the incident. If possible, you should also take photographs of your injuries and the location, keep witness details, note any details about the animal or owner, and ask whether CCTV captured what happened.
If you later decide to pursue a claim, this early evidence can be important in showing how the incident happened and who may have been responsible.
How do I start a compensation claim?
The first step is to complete a short online form setting out what happened and the injuries you suffered. Once your enquiry has been reviewed, you will be contacted for a free, no-obligation consultation.
If your case is eligible, you may be referred to one of our panel solicitors who specialises in public liability and personal injury claims. If they agree to act for you, they will handle the legal process, including gathering evidence, contacting the responsible party and their insurers, and working to recover compensation on a no win, no fee basis.
Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.
What might compensation include if my claim succeeds?
If your claim is successful, the amount of compensation you can recover varies from case to case and there is no fixed figure that applies to every claim. The amount usually depends on how serious the injury is, how long recovery takes, and how much it has affected your everyday life and ability to work.
Compensation is generally divided into two parts. General Damages relate to your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special Damages relate to financial losses caused by the incident, such as lost earnings, medical expenses, travel costs, rehabilitation costs and care needs.
Some claims may be worth a few thousand pounds, while more serious or long-term injuries can lead to much higher awards. If your claim is eligible, your solicitor will usually rely on medical and financial evidence to assess what your case may be worth.
What types of injuries can be linked to a dog bite or animal-related incident in a public place?
These incidents can lead to a wide range of injuries depending on the animal involved and how the incident happened. Examples include:
In some cases, the emotional effects can last much longer than the visible injuries. If a solicitor takes on your case, they will normally arrange medical evidence to assess the full impact of your injuries and trauma.
Could I still have a claim if the animal did not actually bite me?
Yes, potentially. A claim may still be possible if you were knocked over, scratched, trampled, dragged, or otherwise injured in an animal-related incident. What matters most is whether another person or organisation failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a foreseeable risk of harm.
Who could be responsible for a dog bite or animal-related incident in a public place?
Responsibility will depend on the facts. Possible defendants may include:
Under the Animals Act 1971, a keeper may be liable for damage caused by an animal in some circumstances.
Can I claim if the incident happened in a park or other outdoor public space?
Yes, potentially. A claim can still arise in an outdoor public place such as a park, public right of way or event space. What matters most is who controlled the area or animal, whether they owed you a duty of care, and whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent foreseeable harm.
What if the owner says the dog has never behaved like that before?
That does not automatically prevent a claim. The wider question is usually whether reasonable control and safety steps were taken in the circumstances.
Depending on the facts, the owner’s knowledge of the animal, the setting, the way the animal was being handled, and any warnings or restrictions in place may all be relevant.
Should I report the incident to the police?
That can be sensible, especially in a dog attack case. Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales, whether or not it is a public place. A police reference may also help as part of the evidence.
How long do I usually have to start a claim?
In most cases, an adult has three years from the date of the incident to begin a personal injury claim. Where the injured person was under 18 at the time of the incident, the usual three-year limitation period generally starts from their 18th birthday.
What evidence is helpful in proving a claim of this kind?
Good evidence can be very important in showing how the incident happened and why the responsible party may be at fault. The exact evidence will depend on the case, but often includes:
A solicitor acting for you would normally help obtain the evidence needed to support both liability and the value of your claim.
Is going to Court usually part of the claims process?
Usually not. Most public liability claims are settled without a full Court hearing, often through negotiations between the injured person’s solicitor and the insurer for the responsible party.
If liability or the value of the claim cannot be agreed, Court proceedings may become necessary. If that happens, the Court will consider the available evidence, decide who was responsible and, where appropriate, determine the compensation payable. A solicitor acting for you will manage that process on your behalf.
Will I usually have to pay anything upfront to get started?
In many cases, no. Our panel solicitors commonly deal with eligible personal injury claims on a no win, no fee basis. That means there is usually nothing to pay at the outset, and if the claim does not succeed, you would not usually be responsible for your solicitor’s fees.
It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.
You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.
If you have been injured by a dog or other animal a public place and the incident was not your fault, you may have grounds to seek compensation. If your case is eligible, we can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who work on a no win, no fee basis.
Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.
For personal injury claims, you do not need to use a representative to make a claim for low-level personal injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. You can claim through the online Official Injury Claims portal yourself, for free. If your injury damages exceed the small claims limit, we recommend you use a specialist legal service.
For all other types of personal injury, including medical negligence, employment claims and workplace injuries, we always recommend discussing your claim with a legal professional. You should only proceed with a claim when you understand the risks and associated costs.
