If you own a dog it is your choice to decide whether you want to insure it. Pet insurance policies help you cover the cost of veterinary treatment and medical expenses when a pet gets injured or becomes ill. The insurance can also include Third Party Liability cover which can be used if your pet has caused damage or harm to property or a person. But, you can also have insurance that only covers Third Party Liability.

According to NHS Data between 2020 and 2021 there were 7,443 hospital admissions for dog bites, with children aged 0-14 year olds accounting for 32% of victims.

According to a survey by the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association results showed that 54% (n=380) of the dog population in the survey had been either attacked or challenged by another dog. 

In September 2022 our 5 year old German Shepherd, whilst on his lead in a park, was attacked by a larger dog which slipped its lead. Our dog suffered 3 puncture wounds and was left extremely unsettled by the event. The other dog suffered no injury. But, we know that things could have been much worse, and that people and animals do suffer far worse and have been severely injured or killed.

On speaking to the other owner we discovered they had no insurance, so would not be able to claim on a policy for Third Party Liability and would not be able to afford to pay any of our vet bills. This has left us having to pay vet bills and/or claim through our own insurance for an incident which was not our fault. For people effected by dog attacks it could lead to other expenses such as loss of earnings if they're unable to work.

I believe that Third Party Liability insurance should be compulsory for anyone who owns a dog, and owners should be legally obliged to hold at least Third Party Liability Insurance for their dog if nothing else, this insurance information should then be recorded alongside microchip information. 

It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

in a public place;
in a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden;
in the owner’s home.

The law applies to all dogs.

Ranil Jayawardena MP is Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and I would ask him to consider the above and see the need for change to ensure everyone who owns a dog acts responsibly to protect those who are affected by dog attacks.