If a dog has bitten or attacked you, you can usually claim compensation against the owner or keeper — either for negligence (they failed to control the dog) or under the Animals Act 1971, which can make a keeper strictly liable in some cases. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is mainly criminal law and runs separately. A practical hurdle is that dog owners aren't required to be insured — so if the owner can't pay or can't be found, the CICA scheme may help. You normally have three years to bring a civil claim.
Dog bites can cause far more than a fright: deep puncture wounds, scarring, nerve and tendon damage, infection, and lasting psychological effects — especially for children, who are bitten more often and more seriously. If you or your child has been attacked, you may be able to claim compensation. The legal routes are a little different from an ordinary accident, so this guide explains how dog bite claims work in the UK. We are an independent information service, not a law firm, and we point you to regulated solicitors.
Who is liable for a dog attack?
A dog bite civil claim normally targets the dog's owner or keeper, and there are two main legal bases:
- Negligence. The owner owed a duty to take reasonable care to control their dog and prevent foreseeable harm, and breached it — for example by letting a dog known to be aggressive off the lead near people, or failing to secure it.
- The Animals Act 1971. This statute can impose strict liability on a keeper for damage done by an animal in defined circumstances — broadly, where the damage was of a kind the animal was likely to cause, or likely to be severe, and that was due to characteristics the keeper knew about. Strict liability means you may not have to prove the owner was "careless", only that the Act's conditions are met. It is a technical area, which is why specialist advice matters.
Sometimes the right defendant is not a private owner at all. If you were attacked while working — a postal or delivery worker, a meter reader, a health or care worker visiting a home — there may be a claim involving your employer's duties or the occupier of the premises. Where a dog attack happens on someone's property, occupiers' liability may also be relevant.
The Dangerous Dogs Act — criminal, not your compensation
People often assume the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is how you get compensation. It isn't, directly. That Act is mainly criminal law: it is an offence to allow a dog to be "dangerously out of control", and the rules apply in public and, since 2014, in private places too (including the owner's own home). A criminal court that convicts an owner can make a compensation order, but those are often modest and limited by what the owner can pay.
✓ Two separate routes
The criminal case (police and the courts punishing the owner) and your civil claim (recovering full compensation for your injury and losses) are separate and can run alongside each other. A criminal conviction can actually strengthen your civil claim — so it's worth reporting a serious attack to the police as well as seeking civil advice.
The insurance problem — and where CICA comes in
Here is the practical difference that catches people out: unlike drivers, dog owners are not legally required to carry insurance. So even with a strong claim, you have to find someone who can actually pay. Options a solicitor will explore include:
- Home contents or pet insurance — many policies include public liability cover that can respond to a dog bite claim.
- The owner's own assets — possible, but recovering money personally from an uninsured individual can be difficult.
- The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) — a government scheme that can compensate blameless victims of a violent crime. A serious dog attack caused by an owner deliberately or recklessly setting or failing to control a dog can qualify. CICA has its own rules, tariffs and a shorter time limit.
⏳ CICA's time limit is shorter
A civil claim is usually subject to a three-year limit, but a CICA application normally must be made within two years of the incident (with limited discretion to extend, and special rules for children). If the CICA route might apply to you, don't delay getting advice.
Evidence for a dog bite claim
Good evidence helps on both liability (whose fault) and value (how serious). Gather what you can as soon as possible:
| Evidence | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Owner's name & address | Identifies the defendant and any insurer |
| Photos of injuries & the scene | Shows severity and circumstances; scarring claims rely on this |
| Medical records (GP / A&E) | Documents the injury, infection risk and treatment from the outset |
| Police report / crime reference | Supports a criminal case and a CICA application |
| Witness details | Independent accounts of how the attack happened |
| Records of losses | Lost earnings, travel, care, scar-treatment costs |
Always get medical attention quickly: dog bites carry a real infection risk and may need wound care, antibiotics or a tetanus check, and prompt records help your claim.
Time limits
For a civil dog bite claim you generally have three years from the date of the attack — England and Wales under the Limitation Act 1980, Scotland under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, and Northern Ireland under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. For children, the three years usually start at adulthood. The separate CICA route has a shorter window (normally two years). See our time limits guide for more.
What compensation covers
As with any injury claim, compensation has two parts. General damages reflect the injury, pain and suffering and any scarring (facial and visible scarring is assessed carefully and can be significant, particularly for children), guided by the Judicial College Guidelines. Special damages cover financial losses — lost earnings, treatment including any cosmetic or scar-revision care, travel and care. Psychological injury, such as a lasting fear of dogs, can also be compensated where supported by medical evidence. Only a solicitor reviewing your evidence can value your claim; see how compensation works.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. We don't take on claims, sell your details or recommend particular firms. To find and check a regulated personal injury solicitor — ideally one experienced in dog bite or Animals Act claims — use the Solicitors Regulation Authority register and the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service (or the Law Society of Scotland / Northern Ireland for those nations). Citizens Advice gives free, impartial guidance, and GOV.UK explains the CICA scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if a dog bites me?
Often, yes — usually against the dog's owner or keeper, for negligence or under the Animals Act 1971 (which can impose strict liability in some cases). If the dog attacked you at work, there may also be a claim involving an employer or occupier. A solicitor can identify the right route on your facts.
What if the owner has no money or can't be identified?
Dog owners aren't required to be insured, so this is common. Some are covered by home or pet insurance with public liability cover. Where an attack is a criminal act and the owner can't be traced or can't pay, you may be able to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), subject to its rules and a shorter time limit.
How long do I have to claim?
For a civil claim, generally three years from the attack (England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each under their own limitation law). Children's three years usually start at adulthood. A CICA application normally must be made within two years, so act quickly if that route applies.
Does the Dangerous Dogs Act guarantee compensation?
No. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is mainly criminal law — a court can fine or punish an owner and may make a modest compensation order on conviction. Your full compensation comes from a separate civil claim, usually under negligence or the Animals Act 1971. The two can run together, and a conviction can support your civil case.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
- GOV.UK — the CICA scheme, courts and time limits
Related guides: slip, trip and fall claims, how to make a claim, how compensation works, and no win, no fee explained. Where you live affects your claim — see England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.