Police Dog Bite Claims | Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors

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.

Step 1

Get in touch using our contact forms or any details provided throughout the site.

Step 2

We arrange a free consultation with you to discuss the case.

Step 3

If accepted we will action your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.

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.

Picture of a police officer holding a police dog who is sniffing a car looking for evidence.

Case Study

A picture of a blue police light above a police station.

HNK Solicitors secure over £60,000 in damages and legal fees for client in a case against the Police

HNK Solicitors successfully obtained over £60,000 in damages and legal costs for a client in a case against the Metropolitan Police for false imprisonment and trespass to person. Our client had been unlawfully stopped and searched on the street as one officer claimed they suspected him of dealing drugs. However, there was no evidence to suggest our client could have been dealing drugs, and he felt it was a clear case of profiling where officers...

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

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

What can I claim compensation for following a police dog bite?

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

What should I do if I am bitten by a police dog?

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.

Police dog bite claim procedure

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.

Do I need a solicitor to make a police dog bite claim?

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.

What are the time limits for making a police dog bite claim?

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.

How much compensation can I claim for police dog bites UK?

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

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Call us on - 0151 203 1104 | Email us at - enquiries@hnksolicitors.com

Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors

4.4

Based on 206 reviews

review us on

David Shepherd

07:49 27 Apr 24

100pc true caught in a NO WIN NO FEE trap with hnk never been in debt in my life until I came across hnk now I'm 20 grand in debt yes 20 grand now I have sleepness nights depression and no money to pay the 20grand I tried to pull out halfway through the claim but was told I would be liable to thousands and thousands of solicitors fees so I'm in 20grands worth of debt hnk walk away with a high 5figure sum in legal aid fees claimed through me appaling solicitors update advised me to remortgage my house to pay the debt

Ben 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 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

Stephen 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 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.

R 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.

joe morris

12:22 17 Jan 24

Avoid. I approached HNK as i believe my rights were violated during police custody & interview. I gave a precise account to them including my allegations. They ignored this and drafted their own. They contested my arrest (which they were not instructed to do so) and as the arrest was lawful they closed the file disregarding my allegations completely. There are multiple other people who have experienced the same from this firm. They also have a lot of negative reviews on Trust Pilot. Do your research. It may very well end up saving you time and money. I have now began the process of escalating my complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.

Georgi 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 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 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 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 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.

Matthew 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.

Christopher Mearns

11:58 09 Nov 23

Absolutely shocking for a legal team and solicitors company I've had 2 casses go through HNK and each one of them had the same outcome the evidence was so strong in my case due to the laws and legislation been put in place by the government but HNK seem to know nothing about real defence laws or things that the police have to by law have to follow when your in there care and the monitoring that they have to do under the mental health act but HNK did not chase for this evidence they just toke word of mouth for evidence which they strung it out for nearly 2 years then came back with lame responses. If your looking for a good solicitor company I would recommend you look elsewhere if you want success in your cases as the company is far from professional and they know very little about the laws in place to protect people that are assaulted in the polices care and when you ask to speak to a senior partner within the company its rejected so your never get to speak to any person that has knowledge in the areas of law in question so safe your time and data for a real solicitors company that puts its clients first which HNK never do. I hope this saves some people time and energy in the future when looking for legal representative's

Learner 2 Driver Academy

16:17 20 Oct 23

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 😊

Lindsey Francis

14:33 29 Sep 23

Amazing service. prompt, successful and professional throughout. Would highly recommend.

_ 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

Scott 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 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

Anthony 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.

Turner 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 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.

Steph McGowan

13:24 26 Jun 23

Can’t thank Michael enough for doing what he has done for me, he kept updating me on what was happening with the case and I’m very happy with the outcome

Ellen 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 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

••

06:45 13 May 23

I was arrested under suspicion of several offences (was not charged with any). This was very Concerning since I was a top law student at the time, gaining a mid 1st for my criminal law work and Human Rights work - The solicitor at this firm involved in my case against the Police clearly knew nothing about criminal law, evidence or HR’s. As none of it happened, I was merely acting within my human rights, hence why the CPS ordered the Police to drop the whole case against me, which they did and with NFA.The solicitor at this firm dealing with my matters should not be a solicitor, as she does not know the law! She was also extremely rude, would not allow me to speak (kept interrupting and talking over me ) was entitled and patronising!I think they updated me just twice in a year!! I will be reporting this firm to the SRA, who are their regulatory body. Absolutely disgusted and a disgrace to the profession.Yes, I was a real client of theirs and this is a bona fida review - I am not at any liberty to give my name, if I don’t wish to.

brian 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.

Gary Jones

18:13 16 Mar 23

A rare combination of a very professional company coupled with excellent staff who are equally caring and understanding in their appraoch, brilliant.Highly recommended.

Dan Malcom

17:27 09 Mar 23

who is michelle mcmahonwhy is hnk solicitors Instagram account full of fake followers bot accounts and purchase to follow accountswhy does hnk solicitors most predominantly deal with cases involving white caucasian males and white caucasian females paying out more within the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands when white but if any other colour race or religion pays out lesshow much much does each solicitors at higgs newton kenyon solicitors make if most cases are worth £5000 with a waiting time of (12) twelve months

Ashley whitehouse

10:11 27 Feb 23

I was assaulted which was a bad experience and left me with a head scar. I decided to use Higgs Newton Kenyon and overall I was impressed with the service they provided me.I was happy with the outcome and I would definitely recommend them.

amber-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 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.

Charlie Abbott

10:17 30 Jan 23

I received a fantastic, professional service from start to finish. Most importantly I got the justice I deserved due to the hard work of my case handler Lyne Hughes. I would highly recommend Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors.

Aaron McLeod

18:34 15 Nov 22

Fantastic solicitors, they explained everything to me in great detail, I understood everything they said, always kind and well mannered on the phone and email, great experience with them. Will definitely use them again if need be in the future.

Funandplayful carmella

17:48 10 Nov 22

Highly professional & thorough. I'm very happy with the service this firm provided & empathy shown & seeking justice on our behalf thank you for all that worked on my case especially Mrs L Hughes.

robin mohamed

18:27 18 Oct 22

Higgs Newton Kenyon took on my case when others had said they would not. The Paralegal kept me updated as things progressed and I am very impressed with the outcome and the overall handling of my case.Once again thank you for your services and I would highly recommend.

Wonders of London

08:53 23 Sep 22

They helped us with a claim against police for false imprisonment (stop and search). Very happy with the level of service provided and with the settlement achieved. We will now use the money we got to help someone in need here in London.

yard ski

12:33 23 Jul 22

I would recommend HNK solicitors as they offer a first class professional service. Call back's and emails to update me with my case and the staff were excellent. Thank you Helen and the team.

Mohammed Abdelmoniem

16:29 11 Jan 22

Absolutely an amazing firm and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a similar case. I was wrongfully arrested for a crime that I did not do and I approached this firm HNK Solictors for some help and support. After viewing all the evidence, they took the case on. It took a year for the amazing good news to come out. Their hard work and dedication including their professional skills and expertise, has given me the result that I was hoping for. Vivian Lee was amazing and her professional manner in which she dealt with me and the case was remarkable. Well done, Vivian and keep up the good work. Fantastic work!

Ansar Hussain

15:16 24 Nov 21

Absolutely amazing firm took my case on against the police after wrongful arrest and detention. They were very professional,informative and efficient. As I was advised by them that I had a strong chance of success and success is what they delivered. Jessica Smith thank you for all your hard work.

Maddox Xx

12:03 23 Nov 21

Brilliant Firm and people to deal with, Jessica and the team were professional, i could not thank them enough for resolving my case in a timely manner and keeping me updated through out the whole process. Highly recommend them

Jon Barnes

23:17 17 Nov 21

Like to say thank you to the team who help win the case against the police. Very efficient and professional. I will definitely recommend 👌

Vickie Watson

01:38 12 Nov 21

Great solicitors. Michael was very helpful and friendly and I would like to say thank you for his help. Definitely recommend these solicitors. Thank you 🙂🙂

Ciara Beveridge

11:31 10 Nov 21

Very quick to get everything sorted. Would phone me and update me on the progress. Highly recommend

christine stockwell

07:26 30 Sep 21

Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors have been brilliant even through the pandemic, it must be hard to do, they are very informative all the time great value and kind thank you

Frances SJ Finch

10:04 28 Sep 21

I can’t quite put into words how brilliant these solicitors are, they provide a fantastic service and are very gentle when discussing sensitive subjects. Michael has been so incredibly helpful and I would like to send him a massive thanks for everything he has done for me. The receptionist has always also been very polite, friendly and welcoming and I would also like to thank her for supplying a kind atmosphere whenever I have needed to contact the team.

Danny Owen

14:12 09 Aug 21

Highly recommended, I had a claim against the police for an unlawful stop and search and false imprisonment which was has been settled with compensation. I had to put very little effort in and I was kept continually up to date. Vivien Lee dealing with my case could not have been more polite professional and helpful. I won’t be using anyone other than HNK solicitors from now on.

Arome akubo

20:34 04 Aug 21

These guys practically won me some cash from BA data breach case. They initiated it and executed it with utmost professionalism without me breaking a sweat. I fully recommend them without any reservations.

Stephen Johnson

19:02 02 Aug 21

Absolutely amazing helped me get a good result against merseyside police. very quick and professional definitely would recommend them to anyone will use again ..thank you guys

Tuyet Olvestedt

10:06 14 Jul 21

Very attentive and thorough service.They communicate regularly and clearly via phone and email. Would absolutely recommend them.Many thanks

Marie Louise Rothwell

10:51 05 Jul 21

I am very happy with the service I got they were ever so good at dealing with my matter and very polite. They were also very helpful with giving me great advice I would definitely use their services again in the near future I am very happy with the outcome of my case

Stephen Stratton

10:09 28 Jun 21

Following repeated violations and data protections concerns by the police I was able to secure a settlement which I am very happy with. Demi and her team were helpful, professional and informative throughout. I would highly recommend contacting HNK Solicitors for initial advice with any legal matters.

Sandra Williams

11:26 23 Jun 21

After a very Violated experience with the police, my solicitor Demi was there step by step, keeping me up to date with everything. If I ever needed Higgs Newton Kenyon I again I wouldn't hesitate to contact them. Thank you.

Jason Patrick

19:46 10 May 21

I would highly recommend this firm. They have acted on my behalf twice now and have successfully won compensation for both cases. They are a very professional team of solicitors with expansive knowledge of the law. If you want a good result with sound honest advice, then this firm is in my opinion one the best and not afraid to challenge injustice.Thank you,Yours sincerelyJason Patrick

Lauren Jade Dougan

12:47 20 Apr 21

This firm is absolutely amazing. I have been so pleased with how my case was handled and the solicitors kept me informed every step of the way. I am also very pleased with the outcome. I would definitely recommend this firm to anybody.

frederick moore

20:07 08 Apr 21

Excellent company to deal with. Highly professional, responsive to client needs and very thorough. Would recommend.

Megan Maloney

14:05 08 Mar 21

So happy with my results worked with Micheal he won my case couldn’t be any more professional at what he does so happy With the outcome thank you so much Micheal .

Charmaine Galley

14:11 07 Sep 20

I can't thank you all enough for the hard work you put into my case. I'm so very grateful xxx

Jeepaz Creepaz Music

09:45 25 Aug 20

Our go to when one of your artist was wrongfully arrested by the police. They helped us to resolve the issue in a timely fashion.