A father is urging the UK government to make dog insurance compulsory after his daughter was left with facial scars from an attack outside their home, according to a BBC report.
Alex, from Bridgend, believes dog owners should be legally required to have insurance to cover medical treatment, counselling and compensation in cases of attacks. His daughter, Lilly, now 11, was bitten in the face by a Staffordshire bull terrier cross in September 2023.
Under current UK law, there is no requirement for dog owners to have insurance, meaning victims often have limited options for financial support. Alex argues that pet insurance should be mandatory in the same way car insurance is, ensuring that those affected by dog attacks are not left to cover costs themselves.
Lilly was taken to hospital immediately after the attack and required surgery. While she is recovering, her father is concerned about the long-term costs associated with her injury.
While some pet insurance policies include third-party liability cover - which can pay for legal costs and compensation if a dog injures someone - there is no legal requirement for owners to have such coverage. This leaves victims reliant on the dog owner’s willingness and ability to pay, or facing the prospect of funding medical treatment themselves.
Alex believes mandatory pet insurance would provide financial protection for victims and encourage responsible dog ownership, according to the report.
"It should be as normal as car insurance," he said. "If you own an animal that could cause harm, you should have liability insurance at a minimum. It’s shocking that this isn’t already required."
While Alex acknowledges that pet insurance can be expensive, he argues that the cost should not outweigh public safety.
Consumer group Which? has confirmed that many pet insurance policies offer third-party liability cover, but without legal requirements, there is no guarantee that a victim will be compensated.
Recent statistics indicate a concerning rise in dog attacks across the United Kingdom. As of September 30, 2023, there were 16 deaths registered in England and Wales due to being bitten or struck by a dog, marking a significant increase compared to previous years, according to a report from Statista.
Hospital admissions related to dog bites have also escalated. In the 2022/23 reporting year, individuals aged 50 to 59 experienced the highest number of admissions, with almost 1,600 cases. Additionally, over 1,100 children under 10 years old were admitted to hospitals due to dog bites during the same period, Statista reported.
The UK government has said it is exploring ways to reduce dog attacks but has not committed to making insurance mandatory, BBC reported.
“Owners of any breed of dog which is dangerously out of control are breaking the law. We are working at pace to explore measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds,” a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.
The government currently focuses on dog control laws, but Alex believes this does not go far enough. Without compulsory insurance, he argues, victims of dog attacks will continue to face financial uncertainty.
