Do I need to report a dog bite in case of personal injury?

Do you need to file a dog bite report with the police for personal injury compensation? That's the most frequently asked question after suffering a dog bite injury. And understandably so.

Wondering if you should report a dog bite to the police? Tell us here what happened

Reporting a dog bite is not necessarily required

Have you suffered injuries from a dog bite? And did that dog belong to someone else? Then you are entitled to compensation.

For liability purposes, it's helpful to file a police report. But it's not strictly necessary, "legally speaking," to be eligible for compensation.

It's much more important that the dog owner has personal liability insurance (AVP). And that there are witnesses who saw everything happen.

Would you like to discuss whether it's necessary to report a dog bite to the police? Tell us here what happened

Dog bite

Have you been bitten by a dog? Or perhaps your child? This happens about 150,000 times a year in the Netherlands.

In 50,000 cases, medical treatment from a general practitioner or hospital is necessary. Medical treatment almost always results in personal injury.

Injury after dog bite

An attack by a dog and a dog bite can lead to a bite wound. These are often very “nasty injuries”. Scars visible. This may involve:

• pinpoint lesions in the skin
• bruised tissue
• severe skin lacerations
• severe lacerations in the underlying tissues
• damaged muscles and tendons and
• there is always a risk of infection.

Permanent injury after a dog bite

Serious dog bites can even cause permanent nerve damage and psychological harm (fear).

Victims are usually bitten on the hand, arm, or leg. Children, in particular, are also bitten on the face.

Personal injury after dog bite

Often a dog bite only causes fright, torn clothing or a bruise.

If your injuries are more serious, you'll need to see a doctor or go to a hospital. In that situation, you'll almost immediately incur additional (medical) costs. If a dog bite causes disability, you may also lose income.

In any case, you are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. This is compensation for your non-material damage (read: your mental injury). The longer your healing process takes and the more visible your scars are, the higher your compensation for pain and suffering.

It's understandable that you'd want compensation for your injuries from the dog's owner, unless the damage is just a few tens of euros. But your injury damages almost always quickly exceed that amount.

To qualify for compensation for your personal injury, you must hold the dog's owner liable. Filing a dog bite report isn't strictly necessary, but it can be helpful.

Want to know if you should report a dog bite to the police? Tell us here what happened

Animal owner always liable for dog bite

The law states that the owner or keeper of a dog is almost always liable, even if the dog had little control over the incident.

This is stated in Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code. It doesn't matter whether the dog actually did anything wrong.

If a dog bites you, the dog's owner is always liable. It would have to be incredibly strange, legally speaking, for that to be otherwise.

At first glance, this might not seem fair. Everyone knows situations where a dog is merely following its "instinct," has been provoked, has been startled by something, misunderstood children, or has been confused by something else.

But precisely because a dog can naturally bite at unexpected moments, the legislator has chosen to always make the dog's owner liable.

This doesn't necessarily require a dog bite report. Furthermore, most dog owners are insured against injuries caused by dog ​​bites.

Want to know if the owner of the dog that bit you is liable? Tell us here what happened advice.

Dog owner almost always insured

With a standard "home, garden, and kitchen" liability insurance policy, personal injury caused by a dog is covered. It's that simple.

Have you been bitten by someone else's dog? Does that person have liability insurance (private liability insurance)?

Then your injury will be covered by the dog's insurer without any dispute. The dog owner doesn't have to pay for it themselves.

You don't need to report a dog bite first, unless the dog's owner denies the bite.

Want to report a dog bite to the police?

Reporting a dog bite to the police is not necessarily necessary if there is no dispute.

If the dog's owner is insured and admits that his dog bit you, then filing a dog bite report is not really necessary.

many times people or seriously injured you.

In that case, reporting a dog bite to the police is necessary for a different reason: "to protect" you, your loved ones, and your environment.

However, reporting a dog bite to the police is not an absolute requirement for your right to compensation.

This changes if the other party denies that you were bitten by their dog, or believes the dog bite was caused by your own actions.

Sometimes the dog owner does have insurance but for some reason doesn't want to use it. In that case, filing a dog bite report could also help.

Wondering if you should report a dog bite to the police? Tell us here what happened

Bitten by a dog, what now?

If you have been bitten by a dog, it is useful to use the following 7 tips:

1. Record the name, address, and telephone number of the dog's owner.
2. Record the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses.
3. Make sure you get medical treatment.
4. Ask the dog's owner if he or she is insured and, if so, where and under what policy number.
5. Ask us immediately for advice on personal injury.
6. Track your extra costs and lost revenue, and keep track of who helps you.
7. Take photos of your injuries from time to time.

Reporting a dog bite to the police isn't strictly necessary. However, if you feel it's necessary, you should definitely do so.

Always ask for personal injury advice

Always ask us for advice. You can do so using this form and it's free of charge.

We can tell you immediately what is best for you to do and whether reporting a dog bite is necessary in your case.

Is the other party insured? Then you'll always get FREE legal assistance

Does the other party have personal injury insurance? Then they are insured against the risk of injury from a dog bite. We will provide you with a written Cost Guarantee.

The opposing party must also reimburse our legal costs. That is stipulated in the law.

If the other party doesn't pay our costs or doesn't pay them in full, the Cost Guarantee will take effect. In that case, you won't receive an invoice from us either.

Why legal help after a dog bite?

Most people don't want all that "legal stuff." They want to heal and get back to their lives as quickly as possible.

Besides, people simply don't understand personal injury. If it's just a few tens of euros in personal injury damages, then it might not be that important.

But what if you suffer more damage, lose income, require a lot of care or are left with permanently visible scars from the dog bite?

In that case, it's comforting to have someone to help you. Someone who only has your best interests at heart. And who handles discussions with the liable insurer on your behalf.

So, is the other party insured for injuries sustained as a result of a dog bite? Do you have the insurance company's information and policy number?

Then you are guaranteed the right to completely free legal assistance. We promise!

But always ask for a free consultation. This also includes information about reporting a dog bite to the police. That way, you'll know exactly where you stand.