The Felixstowe Flyer FelixstoweFlyer_Jun2018_For_Web | 页面 21

The Felixstowe
The Flyer
Flyer
Once Bitten… Twice Shy
be strict, and compensation should
then be awarded accordingly.
The majority of dog bite and injury
incidents however relate to dogs that
aren’t deemed to be dangerous, so
what does the law say that you need
to prove to establish fault?
Over the last few
years, we have
seen and heard
more in the news
about people
being bitten
and injured,
sometimes
Louise Plant fatally, by dogs.
But where does
the law stand in terms of bringing a
claim against the owner for personal
injury and loss? The main issue and key to succeeding
with a claim for personal injury arising
out of a dog bite or injury incident
is often proving that the owner was
aware that the dog in question had a
propensity to bite or had a history of
some form of aggression such that the
owner should have taken suffi cient
steps to prevent that dog from causing
harm by, for example, using a muzzle
and keeping the dog on a tight lead.
In 1971, the Animals Act was
introduced which outlined what the
legal requirements were to establish
fault and therefore liability against the
owner (or keeper) of a dog that had
bitten or injured a person. • Seek medical attention – even the
smallest of bites could become
infected.
If that dog is defi ned as being a
member of a “dangerous species”
(which is one that is not commonly
domesticated in the British Islands)
then in all likelihood, if that dog bites
or injures someone, then liability will
So, what should you do if you get
bitten or injured by a dog?
• Get the details of the owner /
keeper of the dog including their
name, address, and whether they
have pet or home insurance if
possible.
• Contact the police and report the
incident – getting bitten by a dog
is a crime, and by reporting it you
P le a s e m e n t i o n ‘ T h e F l yer ’ wh en r esp o n d in g t o ad ver t isements
could prevent someone else from
suffering a similar fate.
• Contact the Council or the local dog
warden if the Police haven’t already
confi rmed that they will take this
action.
• Get the details of any witnesses
who may have seen the accident
or who may have knowledge of
this particular dog and its previous
character.
• Keep records of the accident
including for example writing down
what happened and taking photos
of your injuries.
• Keep records of all expenses that
you may have incurred as a result
of the incident and injury sustained,
for example, loss of earnings, travel
expenses and any medication costs.
particular about the incident and the
dog and its history, when it comes to
considering whether you have a valid
claim for compensation, you’ll be in a
far better position.
Bringing claims for compensation as a
result of incidents involving dogs are
complex and can be diffi cult to prove.
The age old saying “There are no bad
dogs, just bad owners” in these types
of claim often turn out to be true.
If you or someone you know has been
involved in a dog bite incident, or you
have suffered injury caused by any
animal, it is always worth seeking
legal guidance to see whether you can
obtain assistance to pursue your claim.
Call the experts at Prettys Solicitors
for an initial free consultation on any
personal injury related matter on
01473 232121.
By gathering as much documentation
and information as possible, in
Inner Wheel of Felixstowe
The Inner Wheel
of Felixstowe
were joined by
the Rotary club
of Felixstowe and
Languard Rotary
and guests to hear Kevin Rogers speak
about 1950’s music. What a delight
to see and hear this music the start of
“rock n roll”. Everyone joined in with
the singing and a really good evening
was had by all.
T H E FLY E R | JU N E 2 0 1 8
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