Can I claim for a dog bite if there was no previous aggression?

Many people believe that a dog must have a history of aggression for a victim to successfully claim compensation after an attack. This is not the case. You can still make a claim for injury and loss caused by a dog bite if the dog had shown no signs of aggression before the incident.

At Ison Harrison, we specialise in helping dog bite victims claim compensation for their injuries, including both physical and emotional trauma, as well as financial losses and expenses. If you’ve been bitten, even by a dog with no prior record of aggression, you may still be entitled to make a claim.

The Law on Dog Bite Claims in England and Wales

There are two main legal routes to a successful claim:

Liability Under the Animals Act 1971

The law states that a dog owner can be liable if:

• The injury was caused by the dog’s behaviour, even if it had never bitten before.
• The risk of injury was foreseeable, meaning the dog’s size, strength, or breed could make it dangerous in certain situations.
• The owner or keeper knew the dog could act in a way that might cause harm—even if it had never done so before.

This means that even if the dog was generally well-behaved, the owner may still be responsible if it bites or attacks someone.

Negligence by the Dog Owner

If an owner fails to control their dog in a public or private space, they could be found negligent. Some common examples include:

• Letting a dog roam off-lead in a public area.
• Failing to secure a dog properly at home, leading to an attack on a visitor.
• Ignoring signs that the dog was overexcited, fearful, or aggressive in certain situations.

If the attack was caused by the owner’s negligence, you may have strong grounds for a compensation claim. The fact that the incident occurred would generally infer that the owner had been negligent. If they had not been negligent then the incident would not have happened.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay in Making a Claim

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, it’s important to act quickly, not just for your health and peace of mind but also for your legal rights.

• The time limit to make a claim is usually three years from the date of the attack. If the injured party was under the age of 18 the clock runs from their 18^th birthday.
• Medical records are crucial, seek treatment immediately to document your injuries. The records and subsequent medical report will be used to support and value your claim
• Evidence matters; take photos of your injuries on a regular basis and, if possible, obtain the details of the dog and its owner.

How We Can Help with No Win, No Fee Dog Bite Claims

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a dog bite claims we can deal with your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

We help clients recover compensation for:

• Pain, suffering, and psychological trauma.
• Long-term damage, including nerve injuries and scarring.
• Medical treatment costs (including surgery and scarring treatment).
• Loss of earnings if the injury affects your ability to work.

Start Your Claim Today

If you’ve been bitten by a dog and want to know your rights, contact our expert team at Ison Harrison for free legal advice and find out how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

For a review and assessment of your dog bite claim get in touch with us today by calling 0113 224 7851 or email [email protected].