Most of us will have had the odd nip off a dog looking to play at some point in our lives, but we don’t always realise just how dangerous dogs can actually be. Serious dog attacks can lead to the victim sustaining severe or even fatal injuries; NHS statistics show that the number of people attending A&E after a dog attack is at 3,800 a year, a rise of more than 40% in the last 4 years. Statistics also show that children are much more highly at risk of a dog attack than an adult. There are certain guidelines to be followed, and it is important you are aware of these, whether you are a pet owner or if you, or your child, had suffered an attack.
The Dangerous Dog Act 1991 specifies four types of dogs, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasikeiro, including cross breeds of these dogs, to be particularly dangerous dogs and these should have extra safety precautions put in place by the owner than with other breeds of dogs. Dangerous dogs should be kept muzzled and on a lead in public, as well as various other precautions. It is seen as an offence if any breed of dog is out of control, putting people in danger, in a public place, or a private place if there is no permission given for it to be there. If you are attacked in such a situation you have a right to make a dog bite claim and you could be entitled to compensation, especially if the dog has shown aggressive or dangerous tendencies in the past.
