A dog bit me in a public place. Is the owner liable?

What the Law Says

The Civil Liability Act 1961 sets out the legal responsibility of dog owners when their animals cause injury in public places.

Under Irish law, the owner of a dog is legally responsible for injuries caused by that dog in a public place — even if the owner did nothing wrong and took reasonable care. This is known as 'strict liability'.

The law applies whether the dog has shown aggressive behaviour before or not. The key factors are: (1) the injury happened in a public place, (2) the dog caused the injury, and (3) you were not wholly at fault.

The owner may avoid liability only if they can prove the injury was due entirely to your own fault, or to the wrongful act of a third party (not the owner), or if you willingly accepted the risk.

Statutory Text

Where damage is caused by a dog in a public place, the owner of the dog shall be liable for the damage unless he proves that the damage was due wholly to the fault of the person who suffered it or to the act or default of a third party not being the servant or agent of the owner or to some other cause beyond his control.

— Civil Liability Act 1961, s. 2 — Liability for damage caused by dogs

What to Do

Sources