Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience. However dog owners should be careful that their adorable pooch is covered by their home insurance.
Unfortunately there have been a number of high profile incidents in recent months where dogs have bitten children causing serious injuries and sometimes even death.
In the US, dog bites accounted for more than one-third of home insurance claims paid in 2011 according to USA Today. It is a worrying trend that may catch on here in Ireland.
The Control of Dogs Act 1986 is the principal legislation in Ireland governing the liability of owners for their dogs. It imposes a strict liability on dog owners where the offending dog causes damage to a person or to livestock. Strict liability means that the dog owner will always be held responsible even where the dog had never bitten a person before.
To find a registered dog trainer visit http://apdt.ie/.
