Can I be sued if my dog causes an accident?
Oscar Hammes
2025-05-30 15:50:54
Count answers: 4
If your dog, or any animal under your control, injures a person, another animal or destroys property, you may be liable for damages. This would be a civil claim and not necessarily a criminal offence, so the case would be between individuals. As a pet owner whose animal has damaged someone else’s property you may be liable in accordance with the principles of ‘common law negligence’. The law imposes a duty on any owner, or person responsible, to ensure that their animal isn’t likely to injure their neighbour. Someone who has been injured by your pet has three options to use in pursuing their claim against you: The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 The Animals Act 1971 The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. In addition to any criminal prosecution, victims also have the right to take out civil action against the dog’s owner for damages to themselves or their property.