Police Dog Bite Claims

What is a police dog bite claim?

Under UK law, you are protected against dog bites, including bites from police dogs. Although police dogs undergo extensive training, they can still be unpredictable, and the police officers themselves may be negligent.

Police dog bites are different from regular dog bites as they are often used as a means of detaining suspects. However, if the police dog was uncontrollable or the police officer handling the dog was negligent, you have the right to make a claim. Officers may be considered negligent if they release the dog at the wrong time or fail to shout a warning before doing so.

How do I claim?

Step 1

Get in contact by using one of our contact forms throughout the site.

Step 2

We will arrange a free consultation with you to discuss your claim.

Step 3

If you have a valid claim, we will accept your case on a No Win No Fee basis.

Step 4

HNK Client Settles for over £7,000 in False Imprisonment and Assault Case Against Leicestershire Police

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Can I make a claim if I have been bitten by a police dog?

If you have been bitten by a police dog, you can make a claim against the police. There must be enough evidence to prove that the police did not take all necessary precautions to prevent the dog from attacking you.

You cannot make a claim if the police can prove that you willingly accepted the risks of not following the police’s orders. However, if the injuries are excessive and not reasonably expected of a police dog (i.e. extensive injuries and not just a bite to restrain), you may also be entitled to compensation.

The law surrounding police dog bites

Owners or persons responsible for dangerous animals are liable for any damage under the Animals Act 1971.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 declared it an offence for an owner to allow their dog to act dangerously out of control. If a person becomes afraid or nervous that a dog would bite them, this is also an offence.

Police guidelines are set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). While there is no specific mention of police dogs, Article 3 details everyone has the right to be treated humanely. In cases of police negligence, officers owe a duty of care to those they will set the dog on. If an officer fails to follow the correct procedure or they have no control over their dog, any foreseeable injury is negligent on the part of the officer.

As dogs are used as part of police powers of arrest and restraint, if you are reasonably suspected of committing a crime or about to commit a crime, it is not an offence if a police dog causes you to feel nervous.

Police dog bite claims specialists

Around 200,000 people in the UK are bitten by dogs every year. Police dogs also have the potential to attack humans. Dog bites and attacks can be extremely painful and traumatic, with lasting negative effects.

At HNK Solicitors, our team of experienced solicitors specialises in civil actions against the police. We can help you receive the compensation you deserve. To ensure as stress-free a process as possible, we offer free consultations and operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay anything upfront.

Why seek compensation for a police dog bite?

If you are attacked by a police dog, any injury, physical or mental, can be debilitating. It may even impact your quality of life for years to come.

Making a claim can help you cope with what has happened to you and ensure that nobody else must go through that experience.

Even though compensation cannot change what has happened, it can help you and those affected move on from the incident. We are here to support you every step of the way.

How to make a police dog bite claim

If you have been bitten or attacked by a police dog, it is crucial to report the incident and file a claim. Filing a claim can help bring attention to the offence and prevent similar attacks from happening to others in the future.

Our specialist team of action against the police solicitors will assess the viability of your claim and provide legal assistance on your behalf. By consulting our specialist team, you increase the likelihood of receiving compensation.

If you’d like to make a police dog bite claim today, simply fill out our online form. If you prefer, you can get in touch with the team on 0151 668 0810 or send us an email at enquiries@hnksolicitors.com.

Free Consultation

Contact us today to arrange a free no-obligation discussion about your police dog bite claim.

No-Win-No-Fee

We can accept instruction on a no-win, no-fee basis, so it won’t cost you a penny upfront to start your police dog bite claim.

Get The Outcome You Desire

Our expert lawyers will fight the police dog bite claim on your behalf, to get the outcome you desire.

FAQ

In police dog bite cases, you can claim for general and special damages.

General damages include compensation for any physical or mental injury sustained from the attack, causing you pain and suffering.

  • Injuries and scars from the bites, scalping and penetrating wounds.
  • Loss of limb or amputation
  • Mental trauma caused by the attack (including PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Special damages are more flexible and include financial compensation for:

  • Medical treatment expenses, including prescriptions.
  • Property and clothing damage caused by the incident.
  • Lost income and other financial losses

If you’ve been attacked and bitten by a police dog, you must first try to remove yourself from any danger. Police dogs are trained to restrict a person’s movement, so as hard as it may be, you must not struggle. If the bite is the fault of a negligent police officer, remaining calm and cooperating may result in the officer ordering the dog to let go sooner.

If you haven’t suffered extensive injuries after the incident, check to see if there are witnesses and ask for their contact details to help with a claim. You should also speak to the police and make a complaint so there is a written record of the incident.

To further help your claim, take photographs of your injuries; these and any medical records only increase the chances of your claim being successful.

We recommend contacting a solicitor who can claim on your behalf with any evidence you have, and they can ask for police reports ASAP and will be able to advise on what steps to take next.

You can make a police dog bite claim if the incident happened within the last three years, you have evidence of your injury, and you have proof that a police dog caused it.

When assessing claims, training records of the dog and handler to see if there are any previous incidents are considered. If the dog has a history of disobeying commands, then there is reason to argue that it would fail to respond or overreact.

We strongly recommend using a solicitor to make police dog bite claims.

While you can report the police misconduct directly to the police force yourself, this could only trigger disciplinary action against the offending officer and would not result in compensation.

As police claim procedures can be complex, we recommend seeking the legal assistance of an experience police claims solicitor who can advise you and take any necessary actions on your behalf.

Like other police misconduct claims, the time limit for making a claim is three years. However, the time limit can be extended if a victim is under 18.

We advise you to make a claim as soon as possible, as injuries and bite marks will be fresh and needed for evidence.

There is no set amount of compensation for dog bite injuries. Instead, it works on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of your injury, long-term impacts, and any financial losses you have suffered.

To give you an idea of the amount of compensation you might expect, here are some examples of amounts awarded in previous cases.

  • Minor hand injuries: up to £4,500
  • Loss of part of a finger: up to £7,400
  • Serious hand injuries: up to £58,000

Let us know what you’re looking for and we will get back to you as soon as we can

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Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson
13:15 08 Nov 24
The team are excellent and so helpful. If I ever need help again I will be calling this brilliant team again.
Martin MccMartin Mcc
13:50 28 Oct 24
Great Service by D Higham. Communication and advocacy excellent.
Mayson LeeMayson Lee
15:26 22 Oct 24
I would give five stars but it took a tiny bit longer than expected And I have to keep their feet grounded. However, Alexandra exceeded my expectations in every possible way and went above and beyond settling my case. Very happy with the service I received would definitely use them again.
Sam LevettSam Levett
05:58 02 Oct 24
Very professional team with amazing communication, thankyou so much 🙏
David ShepherdDavid Shepherd
07:12 26 Sep 24
Absolutely appalling solicitors left me in 33grand debt should be 5 stars below hnk duped me into going to court against police by threatening me with thousands and thousands of solicitors fees if I tried to pull out of the trial 1 female solicitor in particular was very aggressive with threats.this was not a criminal trial it was a no win no fee complaint against police hnk obtained a massive five figure legal aid sum it was obtained because i was on sickness benifits at that time. Suffering from throat cancer i was told that it would cover legal aid costs for the court fees i was compleatley mislead. it all went to hnk. the trial went against me as hnk supplied me with a totally inept incompedent barrister he was weak and submitted easily .Now I'm suffering from depression and its left me with a massive 33k court fees how hnk are allowed to practice is beyond me. Hnk have absolutely ruined my life. my advice is find yourself a decent solicitor there are plenty out there .you don't want to end up in my position I have had to pay a claims company 16half grand which I have had toBorrow of my family the rest is on a payment plan worst mistake of my life was having anything to do with hnk beware you will be told a load of misleading information then you will be caught in there web with no escape except deb now iv had a charging order put on my house now I no why hnk asked me when this no win no fee ha ha started if I had any property i did not realize then it was to secure legal aid crafty. what a situation im in the victim me paying the perpetrators suming up nightmare solicitors the rich get richer the poor get poorer avoid at all costs hnk have left me crippled with debt hide your money hnk are after it hnk have 5 star reviews I will leave that to you imagination happy Xmas to all you at hnk enjoy your lovely high wages and Xmas bonus while they have left me in poverty
Headon EnterprisesHeadon Enterprises
14:25 16 Sep 24
I received a good service from Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors. Although it took a little longer than expected to get a result.
K DK D
11:21 14 Sep 24
They’ve done an excellent job for me, I can’t speak highly enough of them and I wouldn’t hesitate to use their services again.
Richard JonesRichard Jones
12:32 09 Sep 24
Excellent service throughout kept me informed and advised and got me the justice I feel I deserved would definitely use again and recommend to family and friends thanks again HNK
Paul ReidPaul Reid
16:51 15 Aug 24
Good firm. Good, clear comms through the process
Iain SutherlandIain Sutherland
20:42 12 Aug 24
Excellent firm, they took my case when 5 other firms said no. very professional with great communication throughout.I would highly recommend them to anyone, they care and absolutely do their best for the best outcome possible.I cannot thank them enough for helping to bring me some closure from a horrible experience.If I could give them 6 stars I would.Thank you very much to all the people at this firm for helping and for all your hard work and also staying patient with me when I didn't understand the what when and why's.
KitcatsnzKitcatsnz
13:59 02 Aug 24
Anna SummerhayesAnna Summerhayes
16:09 01 Aug 24
Michelle and Leigha have been absolutely wonderful. They kept me updated, advised and notified me during the whole process of my claim. Michelle fought for more compensation than was originally offered resulting in me being awarded a substantial amount. The justification for me was priceless as in essence it proved an admission of guilt from the Police Force in question. I would highly recommend this company and would definitely use thier expert services again if needed. Thank you for everything ❤️
Alec MAlec M
19:00 18 Jul 24
Brilliant staff, brilliant service will be using them again very professional and helpful and a successful claim against the police for misconduct can't thank them enough
Jay DuckworthJay Duckworth
20:34 08 Jul 24
Michael from HNK Solicitors provided an excellent, straightforward, and professional service, with the outcome being very positive. Would recommend.
Gemini LoveGemini Love
12:44 02 Jul 24
I have had really good communication from start to finish. I would highly recommend them
O OO O
10:09 24 Jun 24
Don't' waste your time with this outfit!
Will RichardsWill Richards
20:51 13 Jun 24
I received clear information and updates on the case, though I was disappointed after being advised I could expect a higher level of compensation than I actually received.Nonetheless, I was happy with the friendly and helpful communication I enjoyed, and the work done on my behalf.
FoamyFoamy
15:16 12 Jun 24
Phoned them and spoke for 3 hours, they have a policy of taking one crime on its own, so if the crime happens over a few days then they take each day as a separate case!!!!..... so if the evidence for any of these days is linked, they will not count it as they deal with each day on its own!!!!.... useless firm that only wants to make money by making as many cases as they can.....reported to SRA for conduct and basic ignorance to the needs of the client.
James ShawJames Shaw
14:06 03 Jun 24
Excellent service from HNK with a special mention to Lauren and Leigha. HNK managed to settle my claim to a satisfactory outcome. I was consulted along the way and was fully informed before making any decisions and before any action was taken. Definitely recommend
Ben StokesBen Stokes
12:43 26 Apr 24
Fantastic service throughout. Professional and knowledgeable solicitors who hold corrupt and dishonest police officers to account. Settled my case within 3 months. Made an awful situation somewhat better. Highly recommended.
imrie Michieimrie Michie
16:10 25 Apr 24
They kept me informed all the way through the process it did take time but they got me a result I will use then again and again and a special thanks to Michelle McMahon
Terry StaplesTerry Staples
14:22 25 Apr 24
Amazing and professional
Stephen ChipchaseStephen Chipchase
14:59 23 Apr 24
100% recommended, I was kept in the loop from the start and the team answered any questions I had.We had a fast resolution and should I be unfortunate enough to need solicitors in the future I won't hesitate calling HNK
Drew BellDrew Bell
11:45 04 Mar 24
Vivien was brilliant, I won my claim for damages received settling at 5k for a false arrest. She kept me in the loop and followed any instructions I gave her but at the same time she made sure I was informed enough to make certain decisions. Over all would highly recommend and definitely use these guys again if needed.
Col GilbertCol Gilbert
10:05 15 Feb 24
R MorleyR Morley
10:52 23 Jan 24
Stuck with me all the way through the start and got exactly the result I wanted and even more, didn't think I could be compensated as much due to the circumstances, thanks a lot and would recommend anyone to these services, always professional, keep up the good work.
Georgi KolevGeorgi Kolev
11:41 13 Jan 24
Exceptional Advocacy by HNK SolicitorsI am thrilled to share my outstanding experience with HNK Solicitors, who played an instrumental role in bringing action against the police on my behalf. From the outset, their professionalism and dedication were evident. HNK's expertise and strategic approach ensured a positive outcome, instilling confidence in me throughout the process. Their clear communication and genuine concern for my well-being set them apart. I highly recommend HNK Solicitors to anyone seeking expert legal representation. Thank you, HNK, for your exceptional support in securing justice.
Simon SiSimon Si
18:17 10 Jan 24
Very good service throughout, they constantly kept me in the loop and managed a very satisfactory result. I would gladly recommend their service,s to any experiencing the same sort of problems.Many thanksSimon
Loops EntLoops Ent
07:29 22 Dec 23
Very good Solicitor firm, very deligent with their approach. Was an absolute pleasure to work with as they took on my claims against the police and saw to it that a compensation was reached. However this is just one out of many potential cases so am looking forward to working with you guys again.
Dina 21Dina 21
16:35 11 Dec 23
I want to say that the experience I had with this solicitors has been very positive. As through no fault of theirs this case took alot of time.I was impressed with the end results.
Majik EMajik E
13:05 06 Dec 23
Michael Wharton kept me informed throughout my criminal injures claim and was always available for advice and reassurance. Just waiting for my claim to be paid out and that will be a satisfactory end to a traumatic event. Again a big thank you to HNK solicitors.
christian heathchristian heath
12:02 29 Nov 23
Been really helpful and quick at getting it done and processed.
Matthew HigginsMatthew Higgins
23:31 16 Nov 23
I highly recommend HNK Solicitors for their outstanding work on my case against the police. Vivian was fantastic, providing constant support and making the process much more comfortable. Thanks to the excellent teamwork between her and Alex, we won the case. If you've been wronged by the police, HNK Solicitors are the ones to call.
Being the first time having to fight a case against the police I was a bit apprehensive with what the outcome may of been but my solicitor demi was kind and professional and always made me feel at ease every time i spoke to her. I can't thank her enough for the work she put into fighting my case and having Alex as my barrister who I was extremely impress with how he handled my case was a true blessing. So grateful for them both and I have and would forever recommend anyone to work with the firm. Thanks again 😊
Milly FergusonMilly Ferguson
10:15 19 Oct 23
I would highly recommend!! Got my claim sorted out within months
Cw CwCw Cw
20:21 06 Oct 23
Lindsey FrancisLindsey Francis
14:33 29 Sep 23
Amazing service. prompt, successful and professional throughout. Would highly recommend.
unomeunome
17:07 25 Sep 23
I thank all involved in processing my claim successfuly. Everyone was professional,helpful and polite.
DD
14:05 16 Sep 23
I took legal action against the police who had falsified evidence against me. I have no criminal record or history of wrong doing. Unlawful arrest, Imprisonment and use of force. With help from this legal firm I was awarded £££££££ in damages. Very Professional and they assured, and informed me throughout the full process.
_ MediaNPTGwent_ MediaNPTGwent
12:25 08 Sep 23
Have sought the help of Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors on a number of cases now, and they've been nothing but attentive and helpful at getting me the best outcome. Would highly recommend
Rob MarchantRob Marchant
18:39 29 Aug 23
Very satisfied with service provided to me! Would highly recommend this company to all ! Robert w Marchant.
Scott LPScott LP
15:09 26 Aug 23
They are lawyers, so $$$ is their only agenda and, thus, when we refused the offer of compensation in favour of a public apology, they ended up defending the perpetrators out of spite. Unethical is an understatement.
Courtney LvizCourtney Lviz
10:32 22 Aug 23
I am extremely satisfied with the exceptional service provided by Higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors. Their dedicated work and professionalism in handling my case led to a successful settlement that brought great relief. The team's commitment to excellence is truly impressive, and I appreciate their efforts. I highly recommend their services and am grateful for their support. Thank you, HNK solicitors!- Courtney LV
Hits1791Hits1791
15:35 14 Aug 23
Excellent professionalism and outcome by Michelle McMahon, thank you.
FullStop BanditFullStop Bandit
16:24 05 Aug 23
Steer clear of Vivien Lee unless you are motivated purely and exclusively by undiluted greed and amorality.
Anthony SmithAnthony Smith
01:43 26 Jul 23
I must have drawn the short straw if all these positive reviews are authentic.My own case was handled mainly by para legals. Who displayed very little skill, or real knowledge of the law, and definitely lacked any kind of commitment. I received only one phone call in the three years it took them to 'resolve ' my case.The treatment I received from this firm was barely adequate. If you are thinking of using HNK my advice is find someone else. Unless you don't mind wasting three years of your life for very little in the way of compensation.
Very promising. Will update once completed.
Ankur deswalAnkur deswal
17:34 17 Jul 23
Such a wonderful experience with them.Excellent services got such a friendly people thanks HNK .. 🙏🙏
Turner carlTurner carl
22:34 09 Jul 23
I've learned a lot from life. Even if you are decent, humble, and honest to guys, it doesn't guarantee that they will treat you similarly. I've been married to my spouse for about six years and didn't know he was cheating. I chose to confide in a friend after noticing some changes in his behavior, and they connected me with a hacker by the name of DAVID WILFRED. By remotely hacking and gaining access to his phone call log, Facebook, Messenger messages, phone texts, WhatsApp, Skype, database, and other items, this guy did an amazing and excellent work for me. You can get in touch with this active hacker at (digitaltechhacker @ gmail com).
Kelsea NaismithKelsea Naismith
21:21 03 Jul 23
My solicitors name was Micheal Wharton, he done an amazing job in helping me with my case. He treated me with empathy, respect, and compassion. He is very understanding and kept me up to date with any updates/changes every step of the way. His communication skills are amazing, and he made me feel at ease when talking about my case and reassured me when I was worried.I would highly recommend Micheal Wharton as your solicitor he is very good at what he does and is very professional at all times whilst providing excellent support and advice.I can't thank Micheal enough for everything he has done for me.
Ellen BrownEllen Brown
08:39 31 May 23
Positive service. Treated me with kindness and respect. Didn't make me uncomfortable whilst doing their enquiries.Kept me in the loop at all times and helped me come to a decision that best suited me.Thank you to Michael Wharton for making the effort to help me 🙂
Al TommoAl Tommo
20:09 19 May 23
Very good service, couldn’t be happier with how they handled my claim and we also got justice and compensated rightly! 5 stars 10/10 does what it says on the tin thank you to the team at Hicks Newton Kenyon
brian morhanbrian morhan
17:01 26 Apr 23
Absolutely brilliant. They kept me in the loop throughout the process. I am very happy with the result. Very professional team. I would 100 percent recommend them. Thank you Michael.
amber-marie shoemarkamber-marie shoemark
16:30 24 Feb 23
Highly recommend using higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors I most definitely got my justice I deserved could not of done it with out Michael support I got the support and help the very first day Michael got in contact with me and all the support carried on all the way to the last day
M EdgertonM Edgerton
13:29 30 Jan 23
I contacted Higgs Newton Kenyon over a distressing experience with the police and feeling very vulnerable. Lynne Hughes helped me with my case and was really understanding and empathetic. It meant a lot to have someone speak for me and the outcome of the case was better than I expected. Thanks to their service I have been able to put this experience behind me and move on.Would recommend.
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