£7,332.58 compensation following dog attack on horse

HorseSolicitor recently acted for Ms B whose horse, Ella, was attacked by two German Shepherds as she brought it into the paddock. The dogs chased and bit Ella, causing her to panic and fall on concrete, which caused multiple injuries including lameness.

Ms B did all she could for Ella, but after 20 weeks of treatment and care she unfortunately had to be put down on humane grounds because there was no prospect of her ever making a recovery.

HorseSolicitor presented a claim to the insurers of the dog owner under the Animals Act 1971 and on the basis that the owner had failed in his common law duty to keep his dogs under control.

The case ultimately settled for £7,332.58, which included provision for Ella’s treatment, care and bedding in addition to her financial value (in English and Welsh law horses are unfortunately simply viewed as property, which obviously cannot allow for their pain or suffering, or for the emotional loss suffered by Ms B).

This was a tragic case, and unfortunately, out of control dogs are a problem which is encountered all too often by horse owners. Fortunately the law in this respect is clear, in that dog owners must keep their animals under close control, with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 making it a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.