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Owning a dog that is out of control and a danger to others can lead to being charged with an offence, even if the dog is kept in your home. This offence can be aggravated if the dog injures anyone else, even on private property, and you can still be charged for dog bite injuries caused by your dog even if the other party provoked the animal or was trespassing at the time.
As such, dog owners must take action if they are facing a dog bite claim or allegation, and begin to mount a defence as soon as possible. Tyler Hoffman's specialist dog bite solicitors can provide the legal defence you need and protect your pet from being taken away or destroyed. Our experts have a track record of success in defending dog bites and attacks, and will stand by your side through the emotional trauma of a legal case.
Call us on 03300 536786
Expertise: Our solicitors specialise in criminal law, with a specific focus on dangerous dog cases. We have a deep understanding of the legal nuances and complexities surrounding these charges.
Experience: With years of experience representing clients in dangerous dog cases, we have honed our skills and developed effective strategies to protect our clients' interests.
Personalised Approach: We recognize that each client's situation is unique, and we tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Our solicitors provide compassionate support and clear communication throughout the legal process.
Track Record: Our firm has achieved numerous successful outcomes in dangerous dog cases. We are dedicated to fighting for the best possible result in every client's case.
Integrity and Confidentiality: At Tyler Hoffman, we prioritise integrity and confidentiality in all our interactions. You can trust us to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and discretion.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits certain types and breeds of dogs, and lists several types of offences that may apply if dogs are dangerously out of control. It makes it unlawful for any person to breed, sell, give away, advertise or have in your possession or custody a dog of any of the prohibited types, unless you have a court-ordered exemption.
The dog breeds that are currently banned in the UK are:
Beyond owning one of these dogs, the act creates an offence that may be brought if a dog is dangerously out of control in a public or private place. The owner and/or the person in charge of the dog, if they are different people, may be guilty of an offence in these circumstances. If the dog injures a person (or another dog, particularly an assistance or guide dog) while dangerously out of control, that represents an aggravated offence that comes with stronger penalties.
If your dog bites someone, you (or the person in charge of the dog at the time) may face a number of criminal charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and associated legislation. The key charges and the conditions under which they apply include:
If you are facing charges or under investigation for these offences, speak to a solicitor at your earliest opportunity. The potential consequences for a conviction can be severe, including the destruction of your dog in some cases. The expert dog bite defence solicitors at Tyler Hoffman can represent you to secure the best possible outcome from this situation, and will pursue your defence in the strongest possible terms.
If someone suffers an unprovoked dog attack by an animal you control in a public place, this can come with significant legal penalties. The Sentencing Council has increased sentencing powers for such offences and you may now receive up to 14 years’ imprisonment for a fatal dog attack. If a dog is dangerously out of control and a person is injured as a result, this comes with a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
When an assistance dog is injured or killed, this results in a sentence of up to three years’ imprisonment, while a dog being dangerously out of control without causing injury to person, but resulting in fear of injury, can lead to six months’ imprisonment.
In the most serious circumstances, a conviction for a dangerous or prohibited-dog offence is secured, the court may order that the dog be destroyed and/or that the owner be disqualified from keeping dogs for a period. Failure to comply with such an order may itself be an offence.
The injured party may seek to make a dog bite compensation claim. Compensation for a successful claim is usually paid by your pet insurance, but you may be liable to pay for a dog bite injury claim yourself if you do not have the right insurance in place. Either way, this can increase insurance premiums significantly in the future and, as such, it is best to work with an experienced team of defence solicitors to challenge your liability for any injuries caused by your dog.
For these reasons, it's vital to speak to a solicitor at your earliest opportunity if your dog is alleged to have bitten someone or you are accused of failing to fulfil the requirements for owning a dangerous dog breed.
Come in for a FREE consultation and allow us to alleviate any concerns you may have.
OThe court will often make an order to destroy the dog unless the owner can prove that the dog is no longer a danger to anyone. If you love your canine friend, it is important that you instruct us as a matter of urgency by calling 03300 536 786 so we have ensure that we prevent your dog from being destroyed. We will not shy away from instructing dog behaviour experts on your behalf to provide evidence to the court about the dogs behaviour and temperament.
If you are arrested and taken to a police station, this can be a very frightening and overwhelming experience, if you are unaware of the procedures and protocols.
The decisions you make at the police station can be crucial and detrimental to your future. It is imperative that you request for Tyler Hoffman Solicitors at the first available opportunity so we can further protect your position from the point of initiation.
Tyler Hoffman provides skilled defence for individuals accused of arson, addressing both the intentional setting of fires and the resulting damage or harm. We focus on challenging the evidence of intent and examining the circumstances that led to the fire, aiming to reduce or dismiss charges based on factual and technical analyses.
Our criminal defence solicitors defend clients facing charges ranging from common assault to aggravated bodily harm. We examine the context of the alleged incident, exploring defences such as self-defence, defence of another, or mistaken identity, ensuring that your side of the story is robustly represented.
Our criminal defence lawyers have experience in defending clients accused of benefit fraud, which involves allegations of deceitfully claiming government benefits. We focus on demonstrating the legitimacy of claims or misunderstanding of eligibility requirements, aiming for reduced penalties or case dismissal.
We provide defence for clients involved in allegations of obtaining money, property, or favourable actions through threats. Our approach includes scrutinising the evidence, protecting client privacy, and negotiating to mitigate the impact of such charges.
Our solicitors defend against charges of property damage, focusing on intent and the actual circumstances leading to the damage. We contest the valuation of damage and aim to demonstrate lack of malicious intent, which can be pivotal in the outcome of the case.
Handling sensitive cases of child neglect, Tyler Hoffman solicitors work to understand and convey the complexities of clients' family dynamics. We emphasise factors such as socioeconomic challenges, aiming to achieve resolutions that favour family preservation.
For conspiracy charges, where individuals are accused of agreeing to commit a crime, our focus is on disproving the existence of an agreement or criminal intent. We meticulously review communications and interactions to challenge prosecutorial interpretations.
Tyler Hoffman is adept at handling cybercrime cases, from unauthorised access to data breaches. We utilise specialists to challenge digital evidence and address the technicalities of internet law, ensuring a defence that is informed by cutting-edge technological insights.
For owners charged with having a dangerous dog, our defence strategy involves proving responsible pet ownership and challenging any misconceptions about the animal's behaviour. We also focus on the circumstances of the alleged incident to mitigate legal consequences.
Our firm defends clients against all types of drug offences, including possession, trafficking, and production. We challenge the legality of searches and seizures, the accuracy of substance identification, and intent, which are crucial for a robust defence.
Tyler Hoffman represents businesses and individuals accused of violating environmental laws. Our strategy involves demonstrating compliance with regulations, or negotiating penalties focusing on remedial actions taken by the accused.
In fraud cases, we focus on the intent to deceive and the actual loss or gain. Our solicitors trace financial transactions to provide a clear picture of the client’s actions, challenging allegations of deceitful intent. We have a team dedicated to handling criminal investigations involving fraud accusations.
Handling firearms offences, we address issues around possession, licensing and intent. We defend clients by challenging the prosecution’s evidence regarding the legality of the firearm possession and the circumstances under which it was found.
We defend against harassment charges by examining the nature and context of the behaviour in question. Our focus is on disproving any intent to cause distress or fear, aiming for acquittal or reduced charges.
Tyler Hoffman offers defence for serious charges like human trafficking, focusing on the intricacies of international law and the specific actions of the accused. We challenge the prosecution’s narrative by presenting alternative explanations for the accused's conduct.
Our solicitors defend against kidnap and false imprisonment allegations by challenging evidence around consent and the circumstances of the detainment, aiming to highlight inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.
We defend clients accused of laundering money by demonstrating lawful sources of income and challenging the alleged connections to criminal activities. Our detailed financial analyses are crucial to undermining the prosecution’s claims.
Tyler Hoffman handles the most serious of allegations with a focus on meticulous evidence review, motive analysis, and challenging prosecutorial evidence. We explore all possible defences, from self-defence to diminished responsibility.
Defending against these serious allegations involves challenging the intent and circumstances under which the alleged acts occurred. We focus on discrepancies and motivations to provide a strong defence.
Our solicitors handle POCA proceedings by protecting assets and demonstrating lawful ownership or origins of property, crucial for mitigating the impact of confiscation orders.
We defend against robbery charges by challenging identifications, the presence of a weapon, and the circumstances of the alleged offence, focusing on inconsistencies in witness testimonies and procedural issues.
Our firm defends against all forms of theft by focusing on intent and ownership disputes. We challenge the value of stolen items and circumstances surrounding the alleged theft to reduce or dismiss charges.