As the summer months arrive and more of us spend time outdoors, the number of dog bite incidents tends to rise. Warmer weather means more dogs and their owners in parks, on footpaths, and at public gatherings. While most dogs are well behaved, even a friendly animal can react unpredictably in unfamiliar or crowded situations.

If you or a loved one is bitten by a dog this summer, it’s important to understand your legal rights and what steps you should take.

Why Dog Bites Increase in Summer

Several factors contribute to the spike in dog bite cases during the warmer months:

• More frequent outdoor gatherings like barbecues, festivals, and sports events
• Children off school spending more time in parks and public spaces
• Higher temperatures, which can make dogs more irritable and reactive
• Off-lead exercise, often in busy or distracting environments

All of these increase the likelihood of interactions between dogs and people and with it, the risk of injury.

What to Do If You Are Bitten

If you are bitten by a dog, even if the wound seems minor, you should:

1. Seek medical attention immediately: dog bites can lead to infections or, in rare cases, long-term complications.
2. Report the incident to the police: especially if the dog was dangerously out of control.
3. Record as much information as possible: including the dog owner’s details, witness contact information, photos of the injury, and location of the incident.
4. Do not confront the dog’s owner aggressively: but ensure that the owner is aware that the incident has occurred.

Even if the dog has no history of aggression, you may still have grounds to bring a claim, particularly if the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack.

Making a Claim After a Dog Bite

In many cases, you can claim compensation for injuries suffered as a result of a dog bite. This may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Psychological trauma
• Loss of earnings
• Medical treatment costs
• Long-term care or rehabilitation

Compensation is typically sought from the dog owner’s insurance either via pet insurance or third-party liability cover included within their household insurance. If the incident occurred on business premises and the dog was an asset of the business such as a working sheep dog or security, then you may be able to claim on their public liability cover. If the dog was used as a weapon, you may be able to make an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

We’re Here to Help

At Ison Harrison we have experience and expertise in dog bite claims and understand the physical and emotional distress they can cause. We offer clear advice and act for you on a no win no fee basis so that if your claim is not successful then you don’t pay for the work we have done.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog this summer, don’t suffer in silence. Contact our expert team today and get the compensation you deserve.

Start your claim today

For a review and assessment of your no win no fee dog bite claim get in touch with us today:

• Call: Mike Massen 0113 224 7851
• Email: [email protected]
• Fill in the contact form on this page
• Book a call back at your convenience

 

When someone suffers a dog bite, most people think of claiming compensation through the dog owner’s insurance. But what happens if the dog was used deliberately as a weapon? In such cases, a claim may be possible through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) a government-funded scheme designed to compensate innocent victims of violent crime.

At Claim for Dog Bite, we help clients explore all potential routes to compensation — including applications to the CICA — where the circumstances of the attack make a civil claim impossible or inappropriate.

What is the CICA?

The CICA is a government body that awards compensation to individuals who have suffered a criminal injury in England, Wales, or Scotland. The scheme covers a wide range of injuries, including psychological trauma, and extends to cases involving intentional attacks with a dog or where a dog has been used as a weapon in a criminal assault.

CICA claims are particularly relevant where:

• The dog was set on you deliberately
• You were attacked in the context of a violent or criminal act
• The police were involved, and the incident is classified as a criminal offence

When Is a Dog Bite Considered a Criminal Injury?

Not all dog bite cases will qualify for a CICA award. To be eligible, the incident must amount to a crime of violence as defined by the CICA scheme. This includes:

• A deliberate dog attack where the animal was used to cause harm
• An owner commanding or encouraging their dog to bite
• Dog-related assaults linked to threats, robbery, or abuse

If the injury was purely accidental, or if there was no criminal intent involved, a CICA claim is unlikely to succeed. In such cases, a civil claim against the owner or their insurer may be more appropriate.

CICA Claim Requirements

To bring a successful CICA claim, you must:

• Report the incident to the police as soon as possible
• Cooperate fully with the police investigation
• Submit your claim within two years of the incident
• Provide medical evidence of your injuries

The CICA awards compensation for physical injuries, mental trauma, and in some cases, loss of earnings or special expenses due to the attack.

Why Legal Help Matters

Although you can apply to the CICA without a solicitor, these claims are often rejected due to missing evidence, misclassification, or procedural errors. At Ison Harrison, we understand how to present a compelling case and ensure that your application includes the necessary documentation to support your claim.

We can also advise you whether the CICA is the right route or whether a civil claim is likely to yield a better result.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been injured by a dog in what you believe was a criminal attack, speak to our team today. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and handle most CICA claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. Contact us today.

Let us help you take the next step towards justice and recovery.