What to Do After a Dog Bite or Attack
Dog bites and attacks produce substantial UK personal injury claims annually — NHS data indicates around 8,000 hospital admissions and many more A&E attendances each year. Beyond physical injuries (lacerations, punctures, crush injuries, scarring, infection), dog attacks frequently cause significant psychological harm including PTSD and dog phobias. The legal framework involves several routes: civil claims under the Animals Act 1971 (typically against the dog’s keeper), criminal proceedings under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (substantially amended in 2014 to cover attacks on private property), and sometimes claims against third parties (employers for workplace attacks, councils for park attacks, landlords for tenant attacks). The Animals Act 1971 imposes strict liability for dangerous dogs and for “non-dangerous” dogs with known characteristics — meaning many UK dog bite claims succeed without needing to prove specific negligence. Acting promptly to preserve evidence, identify the owner, and document injuries substantially affects claim success.
In this guide
- Immediate Steps
- Identifying the Dog and Owner
- Reporting to Police
- Medical Treatment Priorities
- Photographs and Evidence
- Witnesses
- The Legal Framework
- Different Attack Scenarios
- The Insurance Position
- Time Limits
- What Compensation Could You Receive?
- Common Questions After Dog Bites
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide walks through exactly what to do after a UK dog bite or attack — immediately, in the following hours, and how to start a compensation claim.
Immediate Steps
Step 1: Get to Safety
- Move away from the dog
- Get behind a barrier if possible
- Don’t turn your back if dog still aggressive
- Get help from nearby people
Step 2: Assess the Injury
- Check all bite wounds — may be more than visible
- Note bleeding severity
- Adrenaline masks pain initially
- Don’t minimise injuries
Step 3: Get Medical Attention
Critical priority:
- A&E for most dog bites (infection risk)
- 999 for serious bleeding
- GP within hours for minor bites
- Specific risk of bacterial infection
Identifying the Dog and Owner
Get Owner Details
If owner present:
- Full name and address
- Mobile phone number
- Specific dog details (breed, name)
- Whether dog is insured (home insurance public liability)
- Microchip and registration details
If Owner Tries to Leave
- Note any vehicle registration
- Photograph the dog if safe
- Get witness contact details
- Call police immediately
Stray Dogs
If no obvious owner:
- Note dog’s description thoroughly
- Photograph if safe
- Report to council dog warden
- Police involvement essential
- Direction dog went
Council Dog Wardens
Specific UK service:
- Every council has dog warden services
- Specific stray dog procedures
- Can sometimes identify owner via microchip
- Important to engage promptly
Reporting to Police
When to Call 999
- Serious injuries
- Dog still aggressive in public
- Owner has assaulted you
- Dog has attacked multiple people
When to Call 101
- Specific reportable attacks
- After receiving medical attention
- Specific intelligence to share
- Pattern of attacks suspected
Why Police Reporting Matters
Multiple purposes:
- Criminal Dangerous Dogs Act investigation
- Specific evidence for civil claims
- Owner identification assistance
- Specific procedural protections
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
Key UK legislation:
- Specific banned breeds (Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully)
- 2014 amendment — attacks on private property covered
- Specific criminal offences
- Reporting helps establish dog’s history
Crime Reference Number
- Always get reference number
- Note officer details
- Specific for any future claims
- Document reporting time
Medical Treatment Priorities
Infection Risk
Dog bite specific concerns:
- Capnocytophaga canimorsus (specific bacterial risk)
- Pasteurella multocida
- Standard wound bacteria
- Tetanus risk
- Rabies (rare in UK but considered)
Standard Treatment
- Wound cleaning and irrigation
- Sometimes wound closure
- Antibiotics prophylactically
- Tetanus booster if needed
- Specific reporting
Wound Documentation
Critical for claims:
- Detailed medical examination notes
- Photographs at multiple stages
- Wound measurements
- Specific anatomical location
- Treatment provided
Long-Term Treatment
- Wound healing follow-up
- Specialist treatment if complex
- Scarring management (sometimes plastic surgery)
- Mental health support
- Physiotherapy if function affected
Photographs and Evidence
Photograph Injuries
Multiple stages:
- Initial wounds (with ruler/coin for scale)
- Wound development
- Healing progression
- Scarring at intervals (1 week, 1 month, 6 months)
- Final scarring outcome
Photograph the Dog
If safe:
- Clear identification photographs
- Specific breed identification
- Specific markings
- Owner with dog if possible
Photograph Location
- Where the attack occurred
- Specific access points (gates, doors)
- Specific warning signs (or absence)
- Boundaries
- CCTV cameras visible
Preserve Clothing
Important evidence:
- Bloodstained clothing (don’t wash)
- Torn clothing
- Specific replacement costs
- Damaged personal items
Witnesses
Get Details
- Full name
- Address
- Mobile number
- What they witnessed
- Whether dog had attacked before to their knowledge
Particularly Valuable Witnesses
- Local residents who know the dog
- Postal workers, delivery drivers
- Veterinary professionals
- Other dog owners
Dog’s Previous Behaviour
Critical for Animals Act 1971 claims:
- Previous attacks or aggression
- Owner knowledge of behaviour
- Specific warning signs
- Substantial UK precedent
The Legal Framework
Animals Act 1971
Key UK statute:
- Section 2(1) — strict liability for dangerous species
- Section 2(2) — strict liability for non-dangerous species with known dangerous characteristics
- Substantial UK case law
- Strong protection for victims
Section 2(2) Tests
Three-part test for non-dangerous species:
- Damage was of a kind dog likely to cause if not restrained
- Likelihood was due to characteristics of this specific dog
- Owner knew of those characteristics
Common Defences
- Victim provoked the dog
- Victim trespassing
- Voluntary acceptance of risk
- Specific UK case law on each
Negligence Alternative
Where Animals Act doesn’t apply:
- Standard negligence framework
- Duty, breach, causation, damage
- Specific case law
- Often combined with Animals Act
Different Attack Scenarios
Public Place Attacks
Substantial UK category:
- Park attacks
- Street attacks
- Pavement attacks
- Bus and train attacks
Private Property Attacks
- 2014 Dangerous Dogs Act amendment substantial
- Delivery worker attacks particularly common
- Home insurance public liability typically pays
- Specific framework
See our private property accident claims guide.
Workplace Attacks
Specific employer duties:
- Risk assessment for known dogs
- Specific PPE for dog-handling work
- Training and procedures
- Vicarious liability sometimes applies
Child Attacks
Particularly serious:
- Children disproportionately affected
- Face injuries common
- Lifelong scarring implications
- Substantial settlements
Specialist Categories
- Postal worker attacks
- Delivery driver attacks
- Tradesperson attacks
- Dog walker attacks
- Veterinary professional attacks
The Insurance Position
Home Insurance
Most UK home insurance includes:
- Public liability cover (typically £1-5 million)
- Covers dog-related injuries
- Standard inclusion
- Insurance pays — not owner personally
Why This Matters
For claimants:
- Substantial compensation available
- Doesn’t typically affect owner personally
- Standard claims handling
- Specialist solicitors handle insurance
Banned Breeds Issue
- Most policies exclude banned breeds
- Owners of banned breeds often uninsured
- Claims still possible but practical issues
- Specific specialist assessment needed
Time Limits
Standard 3-year time limit from attack date. For children, time runs from 18th birthday. See our time limits guide.
What Compensation Could You Receive?
Typical Settlement Ranges
- Minor injuries (single bite, full recovery) — typically £1,500-£5,000
- Moderate injuries (multiple bites, scarring) — typically £5,000-£20,000
- Significant injuries (substantial scarring, function impact) — typically £20,000-£60,000
- Severe injuries (multiple wounds, significant disfigurement) — typically £40,000-£200,000+
- Very severe (facial injuries with major disfigurement) — typically £100,000-£500,000+
- Fatal cases — Fatal Accidents Act claims
Scarring Considerations
Substantial component:
- JC scarring brackets apply
- Particular for visible scars (face, hands)
- Child scarring premium
- Substantial UK precedent
See our scarring compensation amounts guide.
Psychological Impact
- PTSD and dog phobias common
- Substantial additional component
- Specialist psychiatric evidence
- Often the largest non-physical element
Special Damages
- Medical treatment
- Plastic surgery costs
- Damaged clothing
- Lost earnings
- Specialist psychological treatment
- Future care needs
Common Questions After Dog Bites
I was bitten by a friend’s dog. Can I claim?
Yes, and you shouldn’t feel awkward. UK home insurance includes public liability cover (typically £1-5 million) precisely for these situations:
- Friend’s insurance pays, not friend personally
- Friendship typically unaffected — insurance handles it
- Most friends prefer you claim than absorb medical costs
- Specialist solicitors handle sensitively
The injuries are real, the costs are real, and UK insurance is designed precisely for these situations. Many friend-dog claims succeed without affecting relationships. See our dog attack claims guide.
The owner said the dog has never bitten before. Does that defeat my claim?
Often not. UK law under Animals Act 1971 section 2(2) requires:
- Dog had characteristics likely to cause damage
- Owner knew of those characteristics
But characteristics aren’t limited to actual biting — they include: aggression toward strangers, territoriality, jumping at people, growling, specific behaviour patterns the owner knew. Many “first bite” cases succeed because owners knew of aggressive characteristics short of biting. Specialist solicitors regularly succeed despite owner denial of prior bites.
The dog was a banned breed. Does that help or hurt?
Both — substantial claim strength but practical issues. Banned breed (Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully):
- Strong evidence of negligence
- Possession is criminal offence (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)
- Strict liability under Animals Act 1971
But practical issues: home insurance typically excludes banned breeds, owners often uninsured, recovery from individual may be impractical. Specialist solicitors assess practical recovery. Many claims still succeed through specific routes.
I was bitten while delivering a parcel. Can I claim?
Almost certainly yes. As a delivery worker, you are a lawful visitor with implied invitation to approach the door. Where the dog had aggressive characteristics the owner knew of (which is typically the case for dogs that bite delivery workers), strict liability under Animals Act 1971 typically applies. Home insurance public liability pays. Delivery worker dog bite claims are a substantial UK category — typically settle £3,000-£25,000 depending on injury severity.
My child was bitten. Does that change anything?
Yes, in important ways. Children’s dog bite claims:
- Higher standards apply for children visitors (allurement)
- Settlements typically higher than equivalent adult
- Long-term scarring particularly substantial
- Psychological impact often greater
- Time limits run from 18th birthday
Substantial settlements for children’s facial scarring particularly common. Court approval required for child settlements. Specialist solicitors handle children’s dog bite cases sensitively. See our claiming for a child guide.
When should I engage a solicitor?
Within days. Free initial consultation recommended. Specialist solicitors:
- Help identify owner if not done
- Send preservation letters
- Handle insurance communications
- Arrange specialist medical examination
- Calculate full compensation including scarring and psychological
No commitment from initial consultation. No win no fee available. Specialist firms with dog bite case experience particularly valuable for substantial claims. See our how no win no fee works guide.
Related Guides
What to Do After an Accident UK Guides
Dog Bite & Attack Compensation Claims
Animal Attack Compensation Claims
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