| Claims management company Claim-Easy ( advises on | | | | compensation for a dog bite. Of course not all dog |
| claiming for dog bites and discusses the implications | | | | bites can give rise to compensation claims, but the |
| of the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 when it comes | | | | clear regulations surrounding dog attacks do make it |
| to compensation claims. If you or someone you | | | | quite clear who does and does not have a case. |
| know has been bitten badly by a dog and you are | | | | There is a view that you have to be bitten more |
| seeking compensation for the injury, here's what you | | | | than once by a dog in order to claim injury |
| should know. | | | | compensation – that in effect the dog is allowed |
| | | | | a ‘first bite free'. However, this is not the case if |
| The Dangerous Dogs Act has governed the dog bite | | | | the dog has shown to be aggressive before that |
| law in the UK since its inception in May 1991. The Act | | | | first bite. If it has, then the injured party can in fact |
| decrees that certain breeds of dog (like Pit Bull | | | | claim compensation for just one dog bite (depending |
| Terriers for example) must be registered on the | | | | on the individual case). |
| Index of Exempted Breeds, micro chipped and | | | | |
| insured, and must always be muzzled when in public. | | | | The sad fact is that more children suffer dog bites |
| Any dogs on the list of ‘Exempted Breeds' and | | | | than any other age group. Children's inexperience |
| which are unregistered can legally be seized from the | | | | around animals, their size and their naturally boisterous |
| owner and, by law, has to be put to sleep. The Act | | | | nature means that dogs are more likely to attack |
| also states that any dog (regardless of whether or | | | | them than adults. As much as 70% of fatal dog |
| not it is listed as an ‘Exempted Breed') that is | | | | attacks involve children and while the Dangerous |
| "dangerously out of control in a public place" can also | | | | Dogs Act has helped to control this problem, dog |
| be destroyed. | | | | bites are still a leading cause of children being |
| | | | | admitted to Accident and Emergency. |
| Dog bite law is somewhat different when it comes | | | | |
| to guard dogs. Laws governing guard dogs stipulate | | | | Given the very clear regulations set out in this Act, if |
| that all guard dogs have to be accompanied by a | | | | you or someone you know (regardless of age) has |
| handler that can keep the dog under control unless | | | | suffered a dog bite and can prove that the dog |
| the dog is secured and not allowed to roam the | | | | should have been registered on the Index of |
| premises which it guards. In cases where premises | | | | Exempted Breeds, should have been muzzled, or had |
| are guarded by secured dogs, the premises must | | | | previously exhibited aggressive tendencies, then you |
| bear clear warning signs of the guard dog's presence | | | | could well be entitled to claim compensation for the |
| by law. | | | | injury. To help you make a successful claim, trust a |
| | | | | company that is experienced in dog bite claims, such |
| The Dangerous Dogs Act does help people claim | | | | as Claim-Easy. |