By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 5th September 2025. If you have been hurt by a bite from a dog belonging to another party, you may be entitled to make a dog bite claim for personal injury compensation. In this guide, we are going to explain how dog bite injury claims work. We’ll also discuss the eligibility requirements to start this type of claim.

Dog bite compensation claims are something our personal injury solicitors have many years of experience in handling. Therefore, if you have strong grounds to make a dog attack claim, one of our solicitors may be able to help you get the compensation you’re entitled to. For more information on how to claim compensation, please read on.

To see if you could make a dog bite compensation claim, please get in touch today for a consultation with free legal advice:

Here’s our quick explainer video on what assaults are and how you can claim compensation:

How To Begin A Dog Bite Claim

All dog bite claims require evidence in order to proceed, which we will discuss further in a later section. You may not be sure what evidence you need or who you can claim compensation from.

Typically, you claim dog bite compensation from the owner of the dog. For example, if a dog bites you in a park, the owner could be at fault for not using a lead or muzzle on the dog.

However, this is not always the case. You may have been bitten by a guard dog or suffered a dog bite in the workplace. If your work involves dogs, your employer has certain responsibilities to protect your health and safety in the workplace. When an employer fails to implement measures to protect you from harm, and this causes you to suffer an injury, you could be eligible to claim against them.

You do not need to worry about figuring out these aspects of your claim for compensation. Our personal injury solicitors have the experience to help you make the right decisions for your dog bite lawsuit. With their understanding of the legal system, they can advise you on who to claim against and what evidence will strengthen your case.

Why not contact one of our advisors today to find out if you can start a claim for dog bite compensation with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors? You can call or contact them online at your convenience.

Understanding The Law Around Dog Bites and Attacks

Dog owners have a legal duty to keep their animals under control at all times. When a dog bites or attacks someone, several legal principles may apply, and understanding them is essential if you are thinking about making a compensation claim.

Let’s explain these different laws and their purposes. You can also find a neat summary in our infographic below

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and Criminal Liability

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was introduced due to several incidents involving uncontrolled and aggressive dogs. A dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or if someone fears it may cause harm. These rules apply to all dogs and cover incidents in private homes as well as in public.

The Act also saw certain dog breeds banned because they are considered too dangerous. These dangerous breeds include:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• XL Bully (added under the expanded law in 2023–2024)

The Animals Act 1971 and Civil Liability

The Animals Act 1971 determines when a dog owner can be held financially responsible for injuries their dog causes.

Under Section 2(2), an owner may be liable even if the dog has never shown aggression before, provided certain conditions are met.

The law requires evidence that the dog had characteristics not normally found in other dogs, or behaved unusually in certain circumstances, which the owner was aware of.

As well as making a claim against a dog owner, in certain situations, claims may be brought against parties, such as:

• Landlords who permitted a dangerous dog on their premises
• Employers, if an attack occurred during work duties
• Public bodies where known dangerous dogs were not dealt with appropriately

Can I Make A Dog Bite Compensation Claim?

To make a successful dog bite compensation claim in the UK, certain eligibility criteria must be met. These criteria help establish that you have grounds to pursue compensation.

To be eligible, another party must be legally responsible for the attack. This may include:

• A dog owner who failed to control their dog in a public or private place
• An employer who exposed you to foreseeable risk while working with or around dogs
• A landlord or property occupier who allowed a dangerous dog on their premises without appropriate precautions

You can only claim compensation if you were physically or psychologically injured as a result of the dog bite. This includes puncture wounds, infections, scarring, or mental trauma such as anxiety or PTSD.

Why not contact us today to find out if you can start a claim for dog bite compensation with our specialist No Win No Fee solicitors? Click the button below to get started.

What Happens If I Get Bitten By A Stray Dog?

If you were attacked by a stray dog, claiming compensation can be more difficult. There are ways you can go about trying to find the owner. If you have been unable to do so, you may have grounds to claim against the council/local authority or anyone responsible for the area in which you were bit, be it a business park or a local housing estate.

The best thing to do is to call us. That way, we can better understand your dog bite compensation claim and advise you correctly.

A Banned Breed Of Dog Bit Me – Can I Claim Compensation?

If a banned breed of dog has bitten you, you may have strong grounds to claim compensation. Not only is the dog owner breaking the law by owning the breed in question, but also they have then been negligent by enabling the dog to cause harm to another person.

We have plenty of experience in handling such cases and we always strive to secure the maximum dog bite compensation. Get in touch today to make a claim.

Is There A Time Limit for Claiming Dog Bite Compensation?

In accordance with the Limitation Act 1980, there is a three-year time limit for starting a dog bite claim. This starts from the date the incident occurred.

If a child has been bitten by a dog, then the time limit for starting a claim will be put on hold until their 18th birthday. Alternatively, a litigation friend, like a parent or guardian, could begin the claims process on their behalf prior to this date.

For more advice on how to make a claim, contact our advisors for free, either online or by calling us.

I Got Bitten By A Stray Dog; Can I Claim Compensation?

If you were attacked by a stray dog, claiming compensation can be more difficult. There are ways you can go about trying to find the owner. If you have been unable to do so, you may have grounds to claim against the council/local authority or anyone responsible for the area in which you were bit, be it a business park or a local housing estate.

The best thing to do is to call us. That way, we can better understand your dog bite compensation claim and advise you correctly.

Dog Bite Claim Compensation Calculator

If you suffered injuries caused by a dog bite, our compensation calculator could help value them. However, there are various factors that go into personal injury claims. This section will help you learn how compensation could be awarded. If you would like any help, or a more accurate estimate that considers various damages, please speak to a member of our advisory team.

Due to the fact that every claim is assessed individually knowing the average payout for a dog bite in the UK may not be of any benefit to you. Instead, we have taken the time to explain how this compensation can be calculated.

Compensation for a dog bite can be awarded under two different heads of loss: general and special damages. These compensate for physical and psychological harm, and financial losses, respectively.

Those assigned the task of determining a potential general damages figure can look at your provided medical evidence alongside the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This publication contains guideline compensation values for various injuries, a relevant selection of which we have used in the table below.

If you would like a free assessment of your claim, get in touch with us today by clicking the buttons below.

What Else Can I Claim Compensation For After A Dog Bite?

As part of your compensation payout, you may also receive payments under special damages for any financial losses stemming from the dog bite. In addition to any immediate cost incurred from your injuries, special damages can also be paid out for future losses.

What this means is payouts made under special damages are often quite a lot higher than those awarded under general damages. We have given a few examples here:

• Loss of earnings.
• Travel costs.
• Out of pocket medical bills.
• Domestic support.

You will need to provide some supporting evidence for these costs, so make sure you hold onto copies of your payslips, travel tickets, invoices for care and any other bills that show what expenses you have incurred.

For a more personalised idea of what your potential dog bite compensation claim could be worth, speak to our advisors using the contact information provided below.

Case Studies On Dog Bite Compensation Claims

We have helped many people claim compensation for a dog bite. To give you an idea of the types of cases we’ve dealt with over the years, we’ve provided some anonymised case studies, which you can read here:

Child Bitten by Neighbour’s Dog – £22,000

A 10-year-old boy was bitten on the face by an off-lead Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The injuries required stitches and left permanent scarring. The claim was brought against the dog’s owner, and the child received £22,000 in compensation for pain, suffering, and psychological trauma.

Postal Worker Attacked on Private Property – £18,500

A postal worker delivering mail was bitten on the leg by a German Shepherd that escaped through an unsecured gate. The employer denied liability, but the court found the owner responsible under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The claimant was awarded £18,500, including loss of earnings during recovery.

Dog Bite at Work (Kennel Assistant) – £27,000

A kennel assistant was bitten on the hand while handling an aggressive rescue dog without proper training or equipment. The employer admitted liability under health and safety law. The claimant received £27,000 for soft tissue damage, nerve pain, and long-term impact on manual dexterity.

Jogger Bitten in Public Park – £9,250

A woman jogging in a public park was bitten on the calf by an off-leash dog. Although the dog had no history of aggression, the owner was found liable for failing to control the animal. She received £9,250 in compensation for physical injury and mild psychological distress.

Delivery Driver Attacked Through Vehicle Window – £31,000

A courier driver was bitten on the arm by a guard dog that lunged through a van window at a commercial site. The business had no warning signs or protective measures. The driver claimed against the company and was awarded £31,000 for physical injuries and permanent scarring.

How Long Does It Take To Claim For A Dog Bite?

How long it takes to claim for a dog bite depends on the circumstances surrounding your claim. Factors could include:

• Whether you can settle the claim outside of court
• The court schedule (if your claim goes to court)
• Whether the defending party accepts liability for the dog bite injury
• The amount of evidence you need and how long it takes to acquire it
• The severity of your injuries and their associated costs
• Whether you have fully recovered from your injuries (if you have not recovered, it could be more difficult to assess the future impact of your injuries)

All dog bite claims are assessed individually. Legal professionals may need time to examine your evidence and the nature of your injuries, especially in more complex cases. No two claims are the same, so your experience of a claim could be completely different from that of another claimant.  

If you have any concerns about starting a claim for dog bite compensation, please contact our team of experienced advisors. They can explain the process in further detail and discuss the specific nature of your claim. Additionally, they can offer you a free case assessment to evaluate what your potential compensation may cover.

How Can Legal Expert’s Specialist Dog Bite Solicitors Help Me?

We always recommend working with a solicitor when you make any kind of personal injury claim. Even though it’s not a mandatory step, seeking expert legal advice from experienced dog bite solicitors can make a huge difference to your claim.

This is because solicitors go through years of training before they qualify, and this gives them extensive knowledge of the dog bite claims process. They can explain each step of the way, and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing what to expect.

A solicitor can also help you support your claim with evidence, prepare your case for trial if necessary, and negotiate the settlement that you deserve.

Our solicitors can do all of this on a No Win No Fee basis by offering you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under this kind of agreement, you get all the services of an expert legal representative without paying a solicitor’s fee:

• Upfront
• As the claim is ongoing
• At all if the claim fails

If your dog bite compensation claim succeeds, you’ll pay a legally capped percentage of your compensation to your solicitor as their success fee. This is for the work done on the case and will be explained before you start claiming.

Contact Us

Our team of friendly advisors are here to help. When you get in touch, they can offer you a free consultation. This means that they can answer questions you have about the dog bite claims process and can tell you whether or not you may have a valid claim. If you do, then they may help you get in contact with one of our expert dog bite claim solicitors.

To get started:

• Call us now on 0800 073 8804
• Speak to us via our online chat.
• Finally, you can contact us via our claim online form.

Useful links

• Government website on controlling your dog in public – Provides useful information on banned dogs, Public Spaces Protection Orders, dog fouling, and reporting a dog.
• Government website on dangerous dog law changes – Takes you to a press release that explains the changes in the law regarding dangerous dogs. In 2013, the law changed to cover dog attacks on private properties. You can find more information here.
• NHS on bite injuries – Explains what to do after a bite, getting medical advice/treatment, infection symptoms, common causes and avoiding bites.
• Report a stray dog – You can use the search function to find a postcode to contact the dog’s owner. If you do not know the dog’s owner, you need to contact your local council.

If you would like to speak to an advisor about dog bite claims for compensation, get in touch with us for free today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) On Dog Bite Compensation Claims

Below, you can find answers to some common questions on dog bite claims.

Can I Claim If The Dog Bit Me But I Didn’t Visit A Doctor?

It is still possible to bring a dog bite claim without immediate medical treatment, but seeing a doctor is strongly recommended. Medical records provide key evidence of your injuries, which helps when valuing dog bite compensation. Without this, it may be harder to prove the extent of your injury.

What Happens If I Did Not Report The Dog Bite To The Police?

Reporting the bite to the police is not always essential, but it can strengthen your case. A police report can confirm the incident and identify the dog and its owner. If you did not report it, other evidence such as witness statements, photographs, or medical notes may still support your dog bite claim.

Do I Need To Know The Dog Owner’s Name Or Insurance Details To Make A Claim?

It helps to have the owner’s details, but it isn’t always necessary. If the dog owner cannot be identified or does not have insurance, there may still be ways to pursue a claim, depending on the circumstances and available evidence.

What If I Was Bitten By A Stray Or Unknown Dog – Can I Still Claim?

If you were attacked by a stray dog or the owner cannot be traced, making a claim can be more difficult. In some cases, local authorities or other bodies responsible for stray dogs may be held accountable. Our solicitors can advise on whether your specific situation qualifies for dog bite compensation.

Are My Medical Bills Covered In A Dog Bite Compensation Claim?

Yes. As part of special damages, you can claim for medical expenses, such as stitches, surgery, scar treatment, or reconstructive work. You may also claim for related costs like prescriptions, counselling, or physiotherapy.

Can I Claim Compensation For Psychological Injuries (Like PTSD) After A Dog Bite?

Yes. Dog bite claims can include psychological harm as well as physical injury. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or a phobia of dogs can all be considered when calculating dog bite compensation.

What Happens If A Child Is Bitten By A Dog – Who Can Claim On Their Behalf?

If a child is attacked, a parent or guardian can bring a dog bite compensation claim on their behalf as a litigation friend. Alternatively, the child can bring their own claim once they turn 18, as long as it is started before they turn 21.

Can I Make A Claim Against A Landlord Or Employer If Their Dog Hurt Me?

Yes. If the dog belonged to a landlord, employer, or someone responsible for the premises, and they failed to control the dog, you may be able to bring a claim against them. Liability will depend on whether they owed you a duty of care and whether their negligence caused your injuries.

Does It Matter If The Dog Had Never Bitten Anyone Before?

Not necessarily. A dog owner can still be held responsible even if it was the first time the dog bit someone. What matters is whether the owner failed to control their dog or prevent foreseeable harm.