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Being attacked or bitten by a dog can leave more than just physical injuries. Alongside puncture wounds, scarring, or a facial or hand injury from an animal attack, many people are left dealing with shock, loss of confidence, sleep disturbance, and, in some cases, long-term psychological harm such as cynophobia or PTSD.
Dogs are often seen as part of the family, but that does not lessen the harm an attack can cause. It is not only large or aggressive-looking dogs that cause injuries, either. Even a smaller dog can leave lasting physical pain, emotional distress, and a real fear of being around dogs.
If this has happened to you, you may have the right to bring a dog bite claim under Scottish law. In many cases, a claim can be made where the person responsible for the dog did not take proper steps to keep others safe. That can apply in a range of situations, including a child bitten by a dog in a park or public area, such as Glasgow Green, The Meadows in Edinburgh, or another local green space, an adult injured while walking near a home or pavement, or a worker attacked while carrying out their job.
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Who Can Make a Dog Bite Compensation Claim?
Many people hesitate to start a claim after being bitten by a dog because the dog belongs to a neighbour, friend, or local business. That is completely understandable. In practice, most personal injury claims are made against an insurance policy rather than against the person involved directly.
If you were attacked by a dog, you may be able to make a claim if the owner or person in charge failed to keep the dog under proper control. That can apply whether the attack happened outside a house, in a park, on private property, or while a business, such as a dog walker, kennel, or groomer, had responsibility for the animal.
Claims are often handled through home insurance, pet insurance, or public liability cover. If a business or professional was responsible for the dog at the time, you can make a public liability claim. This is one reason many people feel more comfortable exploring their options after speaking to a personal injury solicitor.
If your case is suitable, it may also be possible to pursue it on a no win no fee basis, so you can get advice without taking on unnecessary financial pressure.
What does the law say about dog bite injuries?
In Scotland, dog bite injuries are mainly dealt with under the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987. This is an important law because it can make the person responsible for the dog strictly liable in certain cases. That means you do not usually have to show that the dog had a known history of aggression before you can make a claim.
The focus is usually on how the injury happened. If the dog bit, attacked, savaged, or harried someone, the law may allow a dog attack compensation claim without the injured person having to prove negligence in the usual way.
Just as important is the difference between the dog’s owner and its keeper. The owner is not always the person legally responsible at the time of the attack. If a dog is being walked by a professional dog walker, looked after by a family friend, or left in someone else’s care, that person may be treated as the keeper while the dog is under their control.
So, if a dog bites someone during a walk, the claim may be made against the keeper rather than the owner. That distinction is important because responsibility usually rests with the person who had control of the dog at the time of the attack.
There are some limits. Strict liability may not apply if the injured person provoked the dog or caused it to react in self-defence.
However, if an overly excited dog knocks you over and causes an injury without biting, you can still pursue compensation. In these scenarios, your personal injury solicitor will pursue the claim under standard common-law negligence by proving the keeper failed to maintain reasonable control of the animal.
Do You Have To Report A Dog Bite In Scotland?
You do not always have a strict legal requirement to report a minor dog bite in Scotland. However, it is still a good idea to report it to Police Scotland, especially if the dog is dangerous or the injury is more than just a scratch. Reporting helps protect others and creates a record that can support your claim.
Get medical treatment as soon as you can. Take photos, keep the details of the keeper, and ask for witness names. Medical notes and early reports often make the claims process smoother.
If the dog is still a danger, the owner is unknown, or the attack appears to be intentional, contact Police Scotland. The police can tell you what to do next and may notify the local council or relevant authorities. If the insurance company later asks what happened, your police report can help.
If the bite injury was part of a crime, it could be considered a criminal injury. In some situations, there may also be a separate route to compensation if the attack was part of a criminal act. We can explain both routes and help you start your claim.
How to make a claim for a dog bite?
If you are planning to make a claim after a dog bite, the first few steps matter more than many people realise. They help protect your health, and they also make it much easier to show what happened and how the injury has affected you.
- Get medical help as soon as possible: Even a small bite can become infected, and some wounds need proper cleaning, antibiotics, or checks for tetanus. If needed, your treatment notes and medical record can later help show the extent of the injury.
- Report the attack to Police Scotland: If there is an ongoing risk to other people, it is also sensible to report it to the local council or dog warden. That creates an official record and may help identify the dog’s keeper if you do not already know who they are.
- Take photos while the injuries are still fresh: Try to capture the injury itself, any bruising or torn clothing, and the place where the attack happened, whether that was outside your home, in a local park, or near a recognisable public area such as Princes Street Gardens or Aberdeen Beach Esplanade. If scarring develops later, take more photographs as it heals.
- Get the name and contact details of the dog’s keeper, owner, or the person in charge at the time. If anyone saw what happened, ask for their details as well.
- Keep receipts and notes of any extra costs: Travel, medication, lost income, and other financial losses can all matter when it comes to helping your solicitor calculate compensation.
If you were unable to do all of this at the time, do not worry. It is very common to feel shaken after an attack, and much of the evidence can still be gathered afterwards.
Should I Get Legal Help After a Dog Bite?
If you have been bitten by a dog, getting legal advice can take a lot of the pressure off.
A claim is rarely just about the bite itself. You may need to work out who was responsible, keep track of evidence, speak with insurers, and explain how the attack has affected your daily life. That can be difficult when you are just trying to recover.
A lot of people hold back because the dog belongs to a neighbour, a friend, or someone nearby. That is more common than you might think. Having the right support can take some of that weight off your shoulders and help you understand where you stand.
If you decide to take things further, we can explain your options, help pull the right information together, and work with the specialist personal injury solicitors to make sure your case is handled properly from the start.
Types Of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor wounds to more serious harm with lasting effects. Some people recover quickly, while others are left dealing with scarring, infection, nerve damage, or ongoing anxiety after the attack.
Common types of dog bite injuries include:
- Cuts and puncture wounds, which may require stitches.
- A severe bite may cause nerve or muscle damage.
- The force of an attack causes broken bones.
- Scarring and long-term disfigurement.
- Infections that may worsen if injuries are not treated promptly.
- Psychological harm, like anxiety and fear of dogs.
Responsible dog ownership is important, but sadly, not all dog owners take proper care. If you have suffered any of these injuries, you may be able to seek injury compensation through a claim.
Making A Personal Injury Claim In Scotland
Our panel of experienced personal injury lawyers excel in handling cases against well-funded insurance companies.
Our specialised injury lawyers will assist you with your claim, keep you informed throughout the whole process, and provide you with legal advice that is easy to understand.
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Get In Touch.
Tell us your story, we're here to listen and provide you with an initial assessment based on your circumstances.
02
We’ll Prepare Your Claim.
We'll be by your side to take care of the legal process. We'll keep you informed of every step of the way.
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Receive Compensation.
If your claim is successful, we'll ensure that you get your compensation as soon as possible.
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What can you claim for?
What you can claim for usually comes down to two things: the pain the attack caused, and the money it has cost you.
The first part is your pain and suffering, sometimes called solatium in Scotland. This can cover things like bite wounds, scarring, nerve damage, infections such as tetanus, and the emotional side, too, including anxiety, PTSD, or a fear of dogs afterwards.
The second part is your financial loss, sometimes called patrimonial loss. This could be for lost earnings, damaged clothing, prescription costs, travel to appointments and private treatment or therapy if you need extra support while you recover.
What Is The Average Dog Bite Compensation Amount?
| Injury Severity | Estimated Compensation Range (Solatium) | Typical Injury Characteristics & Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | £1,500 – £4,500 | Superficial puncture wounds or minor lacerations; faint or well-hidden scarring; full physical recovery within a few months; short-term shock or mild anxiety. |
| Moderate | £4,500 – £16,000 | Deep tissue wounds requiring stitches or minor surgery; noticeable permanent scarring (on limbs, torso, or minor facial marks); mild nerve damage; or ongoing psychological distress (like cynophobia or sleep disruption) lasting a few years. |
| Severe | £16,000 – £55,000+ | Multiple severe tearing wounds; permanent muscle or nerve damage causing loss of limb/hand function; significant facial disfigurement requiring plastic surgery; or chronic, disabling PTSD. |
- Note: These brackets cover solatium (pain, suffering, and loss of amenity) only. Any financial losses, such as lost wages, medical expenses, or rehabilitation costs, are calculated and added to this baseline as patrimonial loss.
How Is A Dog Bite Compensation Amount Calculated?
In Scotland, compensation for a dog bite is determined by the circumstances and your recovery. We examine medical records, photos, scarring, pain, and any trauma. Strict liability may apply, which can make it easier to establish fault, but the value of your claim still depends on the supporting evidence.
The specialist solicitor handling your case will calculate compensation for your pain and suffering, then add any financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment costs, travel expenses, damaged clothing, and care or support. Keep receipts and payslips so each cost can be proved.
Once the evidence is in place, insurers will often negotiate. If liability is denied, your solicitor can prepare the case for court, although many dog bite claims are settled without the need for a hearing. Ready to begin? Contact us to make a Claim, and we will guide you through each step.
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Why Choose HD Claims?
If you have been injured because someone else was negligent, it is completely normal to feel unsure about what happens next. That can be especially true after a dog attack, where you may be dealing with pain, shock, scarring, or a loss of confidence, as well as the legal side of things.
We help people across Scotland make sense of that process. Whether you are looking for advice about dog bite claims or another type of personal injury case, our role is to make things feel clearer, more manageable, and less stressful from the outset.
Established in Scotland in the 2000s, we have spent nearly two decades helping people pursue fair compensation. In the last five years alone, we have secured more than £3 million for clients following road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, industrial disease, and other claims, including cases involving dog bite injuries.
We manage the legal strategy of your claim from start to finish and work alongside specialist personal injury solicitors chosen to suit your case. That means you have the right support in place, while we keep things moving and keep you informed at every stage.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, including in a dog bite attack, contact our team today at 01412801112 for a confidential, no-obligation assessment of your claim.
FAQs
Can you claim compensation for a dog bite in Scotland?
Yes, in many cases you can. If a dog injured you and the person responsible did not keep it under proper control, you may be able to claim compensation for the injury itself and the wider impact it has had on your life.
What is the time limit for a dog attack claim in Scotland?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the attack to begin a claim in Scotland. There can be exceptions, though, especially where a child is involved, so it is always better to get advice sooner rather than later.
Who is eligible to claim compensation after a dog attack?
Most people injured in a dog attack may be able to claim, whether it happened in public, at work, or on private property. If the dog was deliberately used to injure someone, there may also be a separate route to compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Can I make a claim if I was bitten by a dog while at work?
Yes, you often can. If you were bitten while doing your job, for example, as a delivery driver, carer, or utility worker, you may still be able to claim against the person responsible for the dog, just as you would in any other dog bite case.
Does the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987 cover dog bite injuries?
Yes, this is the main law that usually applies to dog bite claims in Scotland. It can cover injuries caused by a dog biting or attacking someone, which is why it is such an important part of these cases.
Is a dog owner strictly liable for injuries caused by their pet in Scotland?
It’s often the case, but not always, that the owner is held responsible. In Scotland, the law looks at who was in charge of the dog at the time of an attack. This could be the owner, a dog walker, or anyone else taking care of the dog when the attack occurred.
Can I claim compensation for psychological trauma and PTSD caused by a dog bite?
Yes, you can. A dog attack does not just leave a physical injury. For some people, the hardest part is what comes afterwards, such as feeling on edge, losing sleep, avoiding dogs, or reliving the attack in their thoughts. If it has affected you in that way, it may also be taken into account as part of your claim.
How much compensation do you get for a dog bite in Scotland?
There is no fixed figure, because it really depends on what the attack has left you dealing with. The amount can be affected by the severity of the injury, visible scarring, damage to your confidence, time off work or the need for treatment or therapy. Usually, it is based on the overall effect on your life, not just the bite itself.
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