If you or your child have been bitten or attacked by a dog, you could be eligible to make a dog bite compensation claim.
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Dog Bite Claims
If you’ve been attacked or bitten by a dog in the last three years, you may be entitled to make a dog bite compensation claim. This can cover your physical and psychological injuries, as well as any related financial losses or expenses.
Dog owners and handlers have a legal duty of care to keep their animals under control and prevent them from acting dangerously around other people. If they fail to do this and you are injured, a specialist dog bite solicitor can help you make a personal injury claim.
To verify whether you are entitled to make a no win no fee dog bite claim, call us on 0800 470 0472 or request a call back. A friendly legal adviser will provide a free case assessment, with no obligation to proceed.
Key points about dog bite compensation claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you were bitten or attacked by a dog and suffered an injury due to the owner’s failure to control the animal.
- Owner Responsibility: Dog owners have a legal duty to prevent their animals from causing harm in public or private spaces.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of the incident to start a dog bite claim.
- Compensation: Awards cover pain, scarring, psychological trauma, and related losses such as medical treatment or lost income.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle your claim on a no win, no fee basis — you only pay if the claim succeeds.
Table of Contents
What is a dog bite claim?
Being bitten by a dog is undoubtedly a horrific and traumatic incident. Besides health threats and physical scarring, it can also leave you psychologically scarred.
If you are the victim of a dog attack, you may be entitled to make a dog bite claim. That means the owner will be held liable for their dog’s actions and will have to compensate you for your injury.
A personal injury lawyer can assist you in securing compensation, including when:
- The dog owner has no pet insurance.
- You cannot find out who the owner is.
- The victim is a loved one, such as your child or partner.
Am I eligible to make a dog bite compensation claim?
To be able to make a dog bite claim, your personal injury must meet the following requirements:
- It happened in the last three years (unless the injured person is a child).
- The dog attack was not your fault.
- It caused an injury that required medical attention.
A personal injury solicitor can confirm your eligibility during a free case assessment and help you claim compensation if you suffered a dog bite.
Who is responsible for a dog bite claim?
Depending on the circumstances of the attack, various parties might be liable for compensation, including:
What legislation applies to dog bite claims against owners?
Dog bite claims for personal injury compensation are mainly covered by two key laws:
The Animals Act 1971
Under the Animals Act 1971, the owner of the dog may be strictly liable for compensation if:
- The damage caused by the dog was likely to happen and was likely to be severe.
- Its behaviour was due to characteristics not normally found in dogs or found only in particular circumstances.
- The owner was aware of this behaviour before the incident.
If these criteria cannot be proven, for example if a friendly dog suddenly bites someone without warning, a claim under the Animals Act 1971 is unlikely to succeed. In such cases, compensation could be pursued under the common law of negligence.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes certain dog breeds illegal to own, such as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro.
If you have been attacked or bitten by any of the dangerous dogs listed above, you may have strong grounds to make a claim for compensation, depending on the circumstances.
However, any dog can cause injury and owners of dogs that show signs of aggression must:
- Use a muzzle.
- Keep the dog separately when having visitors in their home.
- Keep the dog on a leash.
- Take training classes.
How long do I have to claim compensation for a dog bite?
You generally have three years to claim dog bite compensation for your injuries, starting from the date of the attack. There are some exceptions to the three-year time limit, which are:
- A parent or guardian can make a child injury claim on behalf of their child at any point before their 18th birthday.
- There are no time limits to claim on behalf of someone who is not mentally capable of handling the case on their own.
- If a loved one died as a result of a dog attack, you have three years from the date they passed away to make a claim.
- With claims made through the CICA, you have two years from the incident date to start your claim.
What should I do if a dog has bitten me and I want to claim compensation?
If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, it is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance. Also, you should report the attack to the authorities. When it’s possible:
- Ask for the dog owner’s details (name and address).
- Find out the name and breed of the dog.
- Ask if the owner has pet insurance or home insurance.
- Keep a note of the crime reference number.
Try to gather as much evidence as possible to back up your claim and:
- Take photos of the inflicted injury and your recovery.
- Keep any clothing that you were wearing during the attack in an unwashed state.
- Ask for the contact details of witnesses for further statements.
- Write down the exact circumstances of the attack.
- Keep any receipts related to medical expenses.
To start a claim for the dog attack injuries, contact a specialist dog bite compensation solicitor. They will handle all communication with the defendant and all the steps of the claims process.
Read More: What to do if you’re attacked by a dog?
How much compensation will I receive if I make a successful dog bite claim?
The level of compensation you deserve for an injury caused by a dog bite will depend on:
- Your pain, suffering and loss of amenity, known as general damages.
- The related financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses, known as special damages.
According to estimates from the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, you could get the following compensation payouts, depending on the type and severity of your injuries:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Injuries | A very serious leg injury causing permanent mobility problems and need for crutches or mobility aids | £72,000 - £117,000 |
| Hand Injuries | A serious hand injury with significant loss of function | £38,000 - £82,000 |
| Scarring To Other Parts Of The Body | One disfiguring scar or several noticeable scars on the legs, arms, hands, back or chest | £10,000 - £30,000 |
| Toe Injuries | Severe toe injuries, including crush injuries leading to amputation of one or two toes, not including the big toe | £18,000 - £28,000 |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Psychiatric damage affecting life, education, work and relationships, but with good improvement and prognosis | £7,700 - £25,000 |
| Finger Injuries | Loss of the end section of a ring or middle finger | £5,200 - £10,000 |
Our online compensation calculator can provide an estimate of how much you could receive for the dog injury within minutes.
Can I make a dog bite claim with a No Win No Fee solicitor?
Yes, if you can claim compensation for a dog bite, your case will be handled by one of our partner no win no fee solicitors. Making a no win no fee claim means that:
- You can start your claim without paying anything upfront.
- If you make a successful claim, your solicitor will deduct a percentage of certain parts of your compensation (capped at 25%) for their work.
- If you don’t win, you won’t have to pay any fees at all.
What are the most common situations that may result in dog bite claims?
A dog bite can happen at any time and in a wide variety of different settings. Examples of scenarios that could lead to a personal injury claim include:
- Being bitten by a dog that is off its leash.
- Being bitten while making a delivery.
- Being attacked by a dog that has escaped and entered your property or garden.
- Being bitten while working as a dog groomer or a vet.
- Being attacked by a dog that pulled free from a dog walker.
If you suffer any type of injury because of a dog in a scenario like those described above, you may be eligible for compensation.
Did you know? Figures reported by the BBC on dog attacks against Royal Mail postal workers show that almost 2,200 attacks were recorded in the year to 31 March 2025.
What are the most common dog bite injuries?
A dog attack compensation claim can result from many different types of injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening:
- Puncture and laceration wounds, which can cause infections and may need stitches.
- Facial injuries to the lips, nose and cheeks, including permanent scars.
- Nerve damage that can cause loss of sensation and reduced mobility.
- Crushed or broken bones, which may need surgery and lead to chronic pain.
- Psychological injuries, including anxiety, PTSD and emotional distress.
- Tetanus and other infections from wounds that are not adequately cleaned.
- Amputations of the affected area, such as fingers or hands, in case of severe attacks.
Frequently asked questions
If you are trespassing on a property or ignore clear warning signs, it is much less likely that you would be able to make a dog bite injury claim.
After this date, when your child becomes an adult, they can claim on their own behalf. They would have until their 21st birthday to do this.
- The use of the dog was unnecessary and disproportionate to the situation.
- The dog attacked without provocation.
- The police officer failed to control the animal properly.
- The police officer released the dog at the wrong time or did not warn you before doing so.
- The dog handler acted without caring whether they would cause harm.
- If the bite occurred on the premises of your accommodation, you may be able to make a claim against the property owner or occupier.
- If you booked your holiday through a UK-based tour operator and they were responsible for your safety during your stay, you could make a claim under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
- Keep the dog restrained or in a secure area.
- Put up clear warning signs if the dog is aggressive or territorial.
- Make sure the dog is well-supervised when visitors are present.
- Take reasonable steps to prevent trespassers from entering areas where the dog roams freely.
- Clean the wound with warm running water for at least 2 minutes.
- Remove any debris from the bite, such as dirt or hair.
- Encourage bleeding (if not heavy) to flush bacteria.
- Gently dry the area and apply a sterile dressing or plaster.
- Seek medical advice immediately, for example by going to a hospital or your GP.
You could claim for loss of financial support, loss of services, funeral expenses and, in some cases, bereavement damages of £15,120.
To find out if you can make a dog bite injury compensation claim, do not hesitate to contact us for a free case assessment. Call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back, and a friendly dog bite claims solicitor will answer all your questions.
