Personal Injury Solicitors

A young girl from Mountsorrel in Leicestershire has died after being bitten by a dog. Lexi Hudson, aged four, was taken from her home to hospital by ambulance but died at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Police say the dog also died shortly after the attack. The mastiff crossbreed was a family pet thought to have been a rescue dog.

More reports of dog attacks are appearing in the headlines and owners of dangerous or out-of-control dogs can face charges if a member of the public is injured.

If a dog attacks on private property or in the home, it is often classed as a civil matter, however.

In England and Wales, dog bites and dog attack injuries are covered by personal injury law, which means victims can claim compensation from owners of dogs which bit or attacked them.

The Dog Control Bill is currently being read in Parliament but existing laws governing dog attacks include the Animal Act 1971, which replaced the 1871 Dogs Act.

However, the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 and the Dangerous Dog Act 1997 now form the basis of the law regarding out-of-control and aggressive dogs which attack. The legislation requires certain breeds of dog be banned in the UK, and others to be registered and restrained with muzzles in public – or be neutered and microchipped in case they attack.

In 1992, The Control of Dogs Order stated that all dogs should wear a collar and ID tag in public to enable easy identification.

Staying safe around dogs

Many people attacked by dogs are attacked suddenly and without provocation – especially if a group of dogs is involved, as a pack mentality can develop.

Local authorities have dog wardens who can round up dangerous dogs in public places – the park warden can be a good starting point for reporting a dog which seems aggressive or out-of-control in public, but out-of-control dogs can also be reported to the police.

Children should be taken to safety as soon as possible if a dog or group of dogs are aggressive and off the lead.

Feeding times for dogs can also be a trigger, as competing for food can make dogs in a group anxious, unless they are closely supervised.

Dogs should be left in peace while they eat and not provoked or taunted in any way, especially when food is about or the dog is unknown to you.

After a dog attack, although it may be difficult, it is important to try and recall as many details of the attack as possible, whether you were bitten or witnessed an attack.

If the owner of the dog will not give their contact details, try and remember as many details about them as you can, including appearance and the direction they walked off in after the attack, as this will help the police. If the dog appears unsupervised, try and remember the breed and markings and ask anyone nearby for their contact details and also to make a note of what happened.

Report the attack as soon as possible and make sure the victim receives immediate medical treatment – even small punctures in the skin may become infected, even if the victim seems otherwise unharmed.

Duncan Lewis’ personal injury solicitors can advise on all aspects of making personal injury claims, including injuries from unprovoked dog attacks.

Call our personal injury team on 020 7923 4020 for advice as soon as you can after being injured in a dog attack.