A father from Bridgend is advocating for a change in UK law that would make pet insurance mandatory after his daughter was severely injured in a dog attack. Alex, 39, believes that just like car insurance, dog owners should be required to have insurance to cover medical care, counselling, and compensation, particularly after his daughter, Lilly, 11, was left with permanent scars from the attack.
Currently, in the UK, dog insurance is not a legal requirement. However, Alex’s call for change comes after Lilly, who was just 10 at the time of the attack in September 2023, was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed outside their home. Lilly had been playing football with a neighbor when the dog bit her face, causing horrific injuries.
Her father recalls the traumatic moment when he saw his daughter, covered in blood, asking him, “Am I going to die, Dad?” Alex quickly rushed her to the hospital, where she underwent surgery and spent two nights recovering. Although Lilly has shown resilience throughout her recovery, she is still deeply affected by the scar left on her face. She uses scar cream to help with the healing process but finds the appearance of her scar upsetting.
In addition to physical scars, the emotional toll on Lilly has been significant. She became anxious around dogs, including her family’s pet, Snapple, and would panic when the dog sneezed. While Lilly hasn’t yet received counseling due to long wait times, she has been supported by her school, where she talks weekly with a teacher to cope with the emotional impact of the attack.
Alex’s primary concern now is the financial burden that may come with future treatments, as he fears Lilly may have to pay for private surgery to improve the appearance of her scar, as the NHS does not cover such procedures. He feels it’s unfair that Lilly has no recourse for remedying a scar caused by an incident that was not her fault.
While the UK government has acknowledged the issue and is working on measures to address dog attacks, Alex believes that insurance should be a legal requirement for all dog owners. He insists that if dog owners are required to have insurance to cover liability for potential harm their animals may cause, it could prevent situations like this in the future.
Currently, pet insurance policies include third-party liability, which covers legal costs and compensation if a dog injures someone or damages property. However, Alex argues that insurance should be standard, just like car insurance. “It seems insane that it doesn’t already happen,” he said. He expressed his frustration that, despite having insurance on their own dog, many people avoid getting coverage due to financial constraints.
A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Transport, and Rural Affairs commented that the government is working on measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership. They emphasized that owners of dangerous dogs are breaking the law and that further steps will be taken to prevent such incidents.
The case has sparked a broader conversation about dog ownership responsibilities, with many supporting the idea of mandatory dog insurance to ensure better protection for both owners and the public.