Dog Bite Cases

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience. However, dog owners should be careful that their dog is covered by their home insurance. In situations where the owner does not have insurance or their dog is deemed a restricted breed, the home insurance will not cover the incident and they will be personally liable.

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.

We at Berwick Solicitors Galway have seen a wide range of injuries arising from such incidents which can be both physical and psychological. These injuries can have a detrimental effect to the life of the injured party as often the emotional scars left behind by a dog attack can be worse than the physical scars.

Claims for personal injuries sustained in a dog bite accident are processed firstly through the Injuries Board and if they are not resolved, they may then proceed into the Court process. If you sustained a personal injury as a result of a dog bite you may be entitled to claim against the owner and you should contact your personal injury solicitor for further advice on the matter.