Responsibility for animals

Dog owners are responsible not only for the animals themselves, but also for their actions.

If you are attacked by a dog of a dangerous breed that was walked without a muzzle, or if you are attacked by a dog that was walked without a leash, the owner of the animal faces administrative liability under Article 154 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

If as a result of an attack, the dog caused you injuries and/or damaged your property, its owner will be obliged to compensate you for the damage in full in accordance with Article 1166 of the Civil Code of Ukraine.

If a dog bites you, it can be classified as a crime committed through negligence. And the dog owner can be held criminally liable under Article 128 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

You also have the right to recover moral damages, because a dog attack is stress that can negatively affect your mental and physical health (Article 1167 of the Civil Code of Ukraine).

To recover damages from the dog's owner, file a lawsuit in court. Attach substantiated evidence to the lawsuit, such as a certificate from the emergency room, a copy of the administrative offense report, receipts for purchased medical supplies, receipts for repairs to items damaged by the dog's attack, if possible, photo or video evidence of the attack, etc.