Best Animal & Dog Injury Lawyers in Aberdeen

About Animal & Dog Injury Law in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Animal and dog injury law in Aberdeen sits within the law of Scotland. If a dog or other animal causes injury to a person, another animal, or property, liability can arise under statute and the common law of negligence. Criminal law and local authority powers also play a role in preventing incidents and managing risk after an event. The focus is public safety, responsible ownership, and fair compensation for those who are injured.

Most civil claims for dog bites and animal related injuries are brought against the animal’s keeper or owner. Claims often rely on the Animals Scotland Act 1987 and negligence principles. Separate processes allow Aberdeen City Council and Police Scotland to investigate, issue dog control notices, and prosecute where appropriate under the Control of Dogs Scotland Act 2010 and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Time limits and evidence rules apply, so early advice from a Scottish personal injury solicitor is important.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you have been bitten or attacked by a dog or injured while avoiding an animal. A solicitor can assess whether the keeper is strictly liable under the Animals Scotland Act 1987 or whether negligence can be proved. They can identify the correct defender, check insurance cover, and protect your position within the three year time limit.

If your child has been injured, a lawyer can guide you through special rules for claims by or on behalf of children in Scotland and ensure the child’s future needs and scarring or psychological effects are properly valued.

If your pet or livestock has been harmed by a dog, a solicitor can help you recover veterinary costs and other losses and advise on reporting routes under dogs and livestock protection laws.

Where criminal or local authority investigations are underway, legal help can coordinate your civil claim with any police or council action and ensure your evidence is preserved and used appropriately.

Insurers often defend dog injury claims vigorously. A lawyer negotiates with insurers, gathers medical and witness evidence, instructs expert reports, and values your losses including pain and suffering, wage loss, care, and rehabilitation.

If settlement is not possible, a solicitor can raise court proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the All Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court and make use of Scottish costs protections and procedures designed for personal injury cases.

Local Laws Overview

Animals Scotland Act 1987. This statute can impose strict liability on an animal’s keeper for injury or damage caused by the animal. In general, to establish strict liability you must show the animal had characteristics likely to cause severe damage that are not normally found in animals of that species or are only normally found at particular times or in particular circumstances, and that the keeper knew of those characteristics. For dogs, this can include known aggressive tendencies, protective behaviour when guarding, or particular circumstances such as a bitch with puppies. The Act defines keeper broadly and can include a person in possession or the head of a household if a minor owns the dog.

Negligence. Even where strict liability does not apply, a claim can succeed if you prove the owner or person in charge failed to take reasonable care. Examples include failing to control or restrain a dog in public, ignoring warnings about aggressive behaviour, or allowing access to a garden with escape routes.

Control of Dogs Scotland Act 2010. Local authorities such as Aberdeen City Council can issue Dog Control Notices when a dog is out of control and its behaviour gives rise to alarm or apprehensiveness. A notice can require measures such as keeping the dog on a lead and muzzled, training, neutering, and third party liability insurance. Breach is a criminal offence. This regime applies regardless of breed.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It is a criminal offence if a dog is dangerously out of control and injures a person or causes a person to reasonably fear injury. The courts can impose control orders, disqualification from owning dogs, and in serious cases destruction orders. Breed specific prohibitions also exist.

Dogs Act 1871 as applied in Scotland. The sheriff court can make orders requiring an owner to keep a dog under proper control and, in some circumstances, order destruction. These proceedings focus on public safety rather than compensation.

Dog Fouling Scotland Act 2003. Failing to remove dog fouling in public places is an offence and can lead to fixed penalties enforced by local authority officers.

Microchipping of Dogs Scotland Regulations 2016. Dogs over eight weeks old must be microchipped and keeper details kept up to date. This assists identification after incidents.

Dogs Protection of Livestock Amendment Scotland Act 2021. Strengthened police powers and increased penalties for livestock worrying and attacks by dogs on livestock in Scotland. Owners must keep dogs under close control near livestock.

Occupiers Liability Scotland Act 1960. Occupiers must take reasonable care to ensure visitors are not exposed to dangers, including risks from animals on the premises.

Prescription and Limitation Scotland Act 1973. Most personal injury claims must be raised in court within three years of the date of injury or date of knowledge. For children, time normally runs from age 16. Seek advice promptly to avoid time bar.

Civil litigation and costs. Scottish personal injury cases benefit from qualified one way costs shifting introduced under the Civil Litigation Expenses and Group Proceedings Scotland Act 2018, which can protect injured people from paying the defender’s legal costs unless they behave unreasonably or engage in abuse of process. Success fee agreements no win no fee are permitted subject to regulation.

Aberdeen courts and procedure. Claims are usually raised in the Sheriff Court or the All Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh, which handles personal injury claims from across Scotland using specialist procedures designed to progress cases efficiently. Pre action protocols encourage early information exchange and settlement before litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a dog bite in Aberdeen

Seek medical attention, even for small wounds, to reduce infection risk. Report the incident to Police Scotland if the dog was dangerously out of control and to Aberdeen City Council’s animal wardens for local investigation. Gather evidence by photographing injuries and the location, noting the owner’s details, and obtaining witness contacts. Keep a diary of symptoms and expenses. Speak to a Scottish personal injury solicitor as soon as possible.

Who is legally responsible for a dog attack in Scotland

Responsibility usually lies with the dog’s keeper or owner, and sometimes with the person in charge at the time. Liability can arise under the Animals Scotland Act 1987 or negligence. In some cases employers, occupiers, landlords, or dog walkers can also be liable, depending on control and knowledge of risk.

Do I have to prove the owner was negligent to claim

Not always. The Animals Scotland Act 1987 can impose strict liability if the dog displayed dangerous characteristics that are not normal for the species or only arise in particular circumstances and the keeper knew of them. If strict liability is not available, you can still claim by proving negligence such as failing to restrain an aggressive dog.

How long do I have to start a claim

In most cases you have three years from the date of the incident or the date you became aware of the injury and who was responsible. For children, the period usually runs from their 16th birthday. There are limited exceptions, so seek legal advice quickly to avoid time bar.

Can I claim if my child was bitten

Yes. A claim can be raised on behalf of a child by an adult representative or after the child turns 16. Valuation will consider pain and suffering, scars, psychological effects, and any future treatment needs. Time limit rules for children differ from adults, so get advice early.

Can I recover vet bills if my pet was injured by another dog

Yes. You may recover reasonable veterinary costs and related losses from the responsible keeper. Liability can arise under the Animals Scotland Act 1987 or negligence. Evidence such as vet invoices, photographs, and witness statements will be important.

Should I report the incident, and to whom

Report dangerous or out of control dogs to Police Scotland. Report control concerns, dog fouling, and non urgent matters to Aberdeen City Council’s animal wardens or environmental health. Report animal welfare concerns to the Scottish SPCA. Reporting helps protect the public and creates an official record to support your claim.

Will the dog be destroyed if I make a claim

A civil compensation claim does not automatically lead to a destruction order. Destruction is a last resort decided by the criminal or civil courts when necessary for public safety. Courts and councils often prefer proportionate control measures such as muzzling, training, and leads through dog control notices.

What compensation can I claim for a dog bite

You can seek general damages for pain and suffering and for scarring or psychological injury, plus special damages such as loss of earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, travel and dressings, and care. In Scotland you may also claim under the Administration of Justice Act 1982 for services given to you by relatives and loss of your ability to render services to relatives.

What if the owner has no insurance or cannot be identified

If the owner is identified but uninsured, they can still be sued personally. Many home insurance policies include public liability that may respond. If the owner cannot be identified, your options are limited in civil law. Criminal Injuries Compensation is not usually available for dog attacks unless the dog was used as a weapon in a crime of violence. A solicitor can explore evidence such as CCTV and witness appeals.

Additional Resources

Police Scotland for reporting dangerous or out of control dogs and criminal offences involving dogs.

Aberdeen City Council Animal Wardens and Environmental Health for Dog Control Notices, dog fouling enforcement, and local bylaw advice.

Scottish SPCA for animal welfare concerns and guidance on responsible dog ownership.

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service including the All Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court for information on Scottish personal injury court procedure.

Citizens Advice Scotland for general guidance on rights and navigating public bodies after an incident.

Law Society of Scotland for finding a solicitor experienced in animal and dog injury claims.

NHS Scotland for medical treatment and vaccination advice following bites and scratches.

Victim Support Scotland for emotional support if the incident involved criminal behaviour.

Next Steps

Prioritise health by attending A and E or your GP and following medical advice. Keep all medical records and receipts.

Report the incident to Police Scotland if a dog was dangerously out of control and to Aberdeen City Council’s animal wardens. Obtain an incident or reference number where possible.

Collect evidence by photographing injuries and the scene, saving clothing, noting details of the dog and owner, and taking names and contacts of witnesses. Check for nearby CCTV or doorbell cameras and ask the owners to preserve footage.

Do not discuss fault or negotiate directly with the owner’s insurer before taking advice. Avoid social media posts about the incident.

Contact a Scottish personal injury solicitor with experience in animal and dog injury claims. Ask about funding options such as no win no fee and how qualified one way costs shifting may protect you on costs. An initial consultation should clarify prospects and next steps.

Keep a diary of symptoms and how the injury affects your daily life and work. Record all expenses and losses. Follow through with any recommended rehabilitation or counselling.

Be mindful of the three year time limit to raise court proceedings. Early legal advice helps preserve evidence, engage with pre action protocols, and position your claim for fair settlement or litigation if needed.