If your child has been bitten by a dog in the UK, you can make a compensation claim on their behalf under the Animals Act 1971. You may be able to claim for physical injuries, psychological harm, scarring and future costs.
You can start a claim at any time before your child turns 18. If no claim is made, your child can usually bring their own claim up to their 21st birthday. Most claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis with no upfront cost to your family. Terms apply.
Can you claim compensation if your child is bitten by a dog?
Yes. You can usually claim if your child was bitten by a dog that was owned or controlled by someone else and your child was lawfully present.
A claim may be possible where:
- the dog caused the injury
- the dog belonged to another person
- your child was lawfully present where the incident happened
- the owner, keeper or person in control of the dog may be legally responsible
Children are protected under the Animals Act 1971 in the same way as adults. This law covers civil liability for damage caused by animals, including injuries caused by dogs.
If your child is under 18, a parent or legal guardian can usually act as a litigation friend. This means you make decisions in the claim for your child, but the claim itself is brought in your child’s name. Civil Procedure Rule 21 explains that a child usually needs a litigation friend in legal proceedings.
You can start a dog bite compensation claim before your child turns 18. If no claim is made before then, your child normally has three years from their 18th birthday, meaning until their 21st birthday, to bring their own claim.
It’s best not to wait where possible. Evidence can fade, CCTV may be deleted and witnesses may forget important details.
How common are dog bites in children?
Dog bite injuries in children are more common than many people realise.
A Scientific Reports analysis of NHS hospital admissions in England found that children aged 14 and under made up 25.4% of dog bite admissions between 1998 and 2018. The same research found that boys had the highest admission rates in childhood.
Children account for a significant proportion of dog bite hospital admissions in the UK, with younger children at higher risk of facial injuries.
Research in BMJ Paediatrics Open reported that 73.3% of child dog bite injuries in English hospital admissions involved the head.
Dog bite injury cases involving children in the UK often happen in familiar places, such as:
- A friend or family member’s home
- A garden
- A park
- A shared public space
- A home where the dog is already known to the family
The fact that the dog was known doesn’t prevent a claim. In many cases, claims are handled through insurance rather than directly against the individual.
What types of injuries do children claim for?
A child dog bite claim can include both physical injuries and psychological harm such as PTSD, anxiety and long-term fear of dogs.
Common physical injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Torn skin
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Scarring, especially facial scarring
- Injuries to hands, arms, legs, head or neck
Psychological injuries can include:
- Nightmares
- Fear of dogs
- Panic around animals
- Bedwetting
- Changes in behaviour
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety at school
- Regression in younger children
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The parent’s emotional distress isn’t usually claimed as part of the child’s case. But your child’s psychological injury is fully claimable if it’s supported by medical evidence.
Children may also need treatment in the future. This is especially relevant where scarring changes as they grow, or where a doctor recommends later revision surgery. In more serious cases, compensation can also consider future care needs, private treatment, long-term therapy and any impact on future earning ability.
How much compensation for a child dog bite claim?
Compensation is assessed using the same Judicial College Guidelines framework as adult claims. These guidelines help solicitors, insurers and courts value pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
In child cases, facial scarring may attract higher awards because the impact can last across a longer lifetime. Psychological injury is also assessed carefully. A child may need a report from CAMHS, a child psychologist or a child psychiatrist.
Compensation can include:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Medical costs
- Travel to appointments
- Therapy or counselling costs
- Private treatment, where reasonable
- Care provided by parents or relatives
- Future treatment or surgery
- Future losses in severe cases
| Injury type | Compensation range |
| Facial scarring, minor | £1,710 to £3,530 |
| Facial scarring, moderate | £17,960 to £48,420 |
| Facial scarring, severe | £29,780 to £97,330 |
| Psychological injury, PTSD, moderate | £8,180 to £23,150 |
| Psychological injury, PTSD, severe | £59,860 to £100,670 |
| Minor physical injury, full recovery | £1,000 to £4,500 |
These figures are guidance only. The value of a claim depends on your child’s medical evidence, recovery, scarring, psychological impact and future needs.
When it comes to dog bite compensation, the amount awarded depends on the severity of your child’s injuries and their long-term impact.
How to make a dog bite claim for your child
If you’re wondering what to do next, these steps can help:
- Seek medical treatment straight away
Go to A&E, urgent care or your GP. Dog bites can become infected and some wounds need cleaning, antibiotics or surgery. - Take photos of the injuries
Photograph wounds, bruising, torn clothing and scarring as it develops. Time-stamped photos are helpful. - Get the dog owner’s details
Ask for their name, address, phone number and insurance details if they have them. - Report the incident
Contact the police on 101 and report the attack to the local council dog warden. - Keep records and receipts
Save medical letters, prescriptions, travel receipts, parking costs and any treatment costs. - Speak to a personal injury solicitor
A solicitor can explain whether your child has a claim and what evidence may be needed.
A parent or legal guardian usually acts as litigation friend. The claim is made in your child’s name, not yours. If your child is under 18, any settlement must be approved by the court to make sure it’s in their best interests. Civil Procedure Rule 21 states that settlements involving children need court approval.
If you’re unsure whether the facts support a claim, you can check your eligibility before deciding what to do next.
What if the dog belonged to a friend or family member?
This is one of the most common worries parents have. You may feel uncomfortable about making a claim if the dog belonged to someone you know.
In most cases, claims are handled through the dog owner’s insurance, not as a personal dispute. That means you can explore compensation without it becoming a direct conflict.
If your child needs treatment, support or help with long-term effects, making a dog bite claim can be a practical step forward.
A solicitor can help you approach this carefully. They can also explain who is responsible for a dog bite and whether insurance may respond.
It’s important not to delay only because the dog owner is a friend or relative. Waiting can make evidence harder to gather, even though child claims have a longer time limit.
Time limits for child dog bite claims
For children, a three-year time limit to claim starts when they turn 18, not the date of the attack:
- A parent or guardian can usually start a claim at any time before the child turns 18
- If no claim is made before then, the child normally has until their 21st birthday to claim
- The three-year clock starts on the child’s 18th birthday
- There’s no minimum age to claim
- A parent can claim for injuries to a baby or very young child
This applies even if the bite happened years earlier. The key date is the child’s 18th birthday, not the date of the attack.
That said, prompt action is still better. Courts can sometimes use discretion in limitation cases, but you shouldn’t rely on that. Clear evidence gives your child’s claim the strongest possible foundation.
What if the dog was an XL Bully?
XL Bully cases can involve additional legal considerations. In England and Wales, XL Bully dogs are subject to restrictions.
If your child was attacked by an XL Bully, this may strengthen arguments around liability, especially if the dog wasn’t lawfully kept, controlled, muzzled or insured as required. The facts will still matter, so it’s worth getting clear legal advice.
Ready to talk about your child’s claim?
If your child has been injured in a dog attack, it’s normal to feel unsure about what to do next.
You might still be dealing with medical appointments, changes in behaviour, or simply trying to help them feel safe again.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we’ll listen to what’s happened, explain your options in plain English and guide you through each step.
Most claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, which means there’s nothing to pay upfront. Terms apply.
Ready to talk? Our friendly team is here to help.
Frequently asked questions about child dog bite compensation claims
Can I make a dog bite claim on behalf of my child?
Yes. As a parent or legal guardian, you can bring a compensation claim on your child’s behalf as their litigation friend. The claim is made in your child’s name. If your child is under 18, any settlement must be approved by the court to ensure it’s in their best interests.
Can my child make their own claim when they turn 18?
Yes. If no claim is made before your child’s 18th birthday, your child has three years from their 18th birthday, so until age 21, to bring their own claim. This time limit applies regardless of when the bite happened.
How much compensation does a child receive for a dog bite?
Compensation is assessed using the Judicial College Guidelines in the same way as adult claims. Facial scarring often attracts higher awards for children because the impact lasts over a longer lifetime. Psychological injuries, including PTSD, anxiety and phobia, are fully claimable and assessed with clinical evidence.
Do I have to pay upfront to make a claim?
Most claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s usually nothing to pay upfront. Terms apply.
The dog belonged to a friend. Should I still claim?
In most cases, yes. The claim is generally handled through the dog owner’s home insurance rather than directly against the individual. A solicitor can advise on how to approach this sensitively while making sure your child receives the compensation they’re entitled to.
What if my child develops a fear of dogs after the attack?
A lasting phobia of dogs or anxiety disorder following a dog attack can be claimed as psychological injury. You’ll need clinical evidence, usually from a GP, CAMHS, a child psychologist or a child psychiatrist. A solicitor can guide you through this as part of the claims process.