Written By Partner Jake Gardiner  |  Evolve Legal  |  September 2026

 

If you have been bitten, knocked over, chased or otherwise injured by a dog in Queensland, you may be entitled to claim compensation. A successful claim will generally depend on whether the person responsible for the dog failed to take reasonable precautions and whether that failure caused your injury and financial loss.

A dog does not necessarily need to bite you for a claim to successful. Compensation may also be available if a dog knocked you over or caused you to fall while trying to escape the situation.

Can I Claim Compensation After a Dog Attack in Queensland?

You may be able to make a personal injury claim if:

• Someone had responsibility for or control of the dog
• There was a foreseeable and significant risk of injury
• The responsible person failed to take reasonable precautions
• That failure caused your injury
• You suffered physical, psychological or financial loss

Every dog attack claim is different. The prospects of recovering compensation will depend on where and how the incident happened, who controlled the dog and what steps were taken to prevent the attack.

Does a Dog Have to Bite You to Make a Claim?

No. A dog attack injury claim is not necessarily limited to dog bites.

You may be able to claim compensation if a dog:

• Bit or scratched you
• Knocked you over
• Chased you and caused you to fall
• Caused you to injure yourself while trying to escape
• Caused a recognised psychological injury

The important and relevant consideration is whether the incident and resulting injury were caused by another person’s failure to take reasonable care.

Who May Be Responsible for a Dog Attack?

Depending on the circumstances, the person responsible may be the dog’s owner, handler or another person who was responsible for the control of the dog when the incident occurred.

A person may be found responsible if they failed to take reasonable precautions, and that failure caused the injury. This could include circumstances where:

• A dog escaped through a broken or unsecured fence
• A gate was left open
• A dog was not properly controlled in a public place
• A dog was allowed to approach or run at other people
• Warnings about the dog’s behaviour were ignored
• A person failed to act after the dog displayed aggressive or unsafe behaviour

The injured person will generally need to establish that a duty of care existed, that the duty was breached, and that the breach caused their injury and loss.

Does the Dog Need a History of Aggression?

Not necessarily. A dog does not need to have bitten or attacked someone before for a compensation claim to be possible.

Evidence of previous aggression, complaints or attacks may help show that the person responsible knew about the risk. However, the absence of a previous attack does not automatically prevent a claim.

The broader question is whether the risk of injury was reasonably foreseeable and whether a reasonable person would have taken precautions in the circumstances.

What Should I Do After a Dog Attack?

Step 1: Seek medical treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the injury initially appears minor. Dog bites can carry a risk of infection, and some physical or psychological symptoms may not become apparent immediately.

Step 2: Report the incident

Report the attack to the relevant local council. A council report may create an official record of the incident and assist with identifying the dog and its owner.

Call Queensland Police if there is an immediate threat to public safety or the incident requires urgent police assistance.

Step 3: Identify the dog and responsible person

If it is safe to do so, record the dog owner or handler’s name, address and contact details. You should also note the dog’s appearance and where it is usually kept.

Step 4: Collect evidence

Evidence that may support a dog attack injury claim includes:

• Medical and hospital records
• Photographs of your injuries
• Photographs of where the attack occurred
• Security camera, doorbell or mobile phone footage
• Names and contact details of witnesses
• Council investigation records
• Police reports
• Evidence of previous complaints or attacks
• Messages discussing the dog’s behaviour
• Photographs of damaged gates or fencing
• Employment and income records
• Receipts for treatment and related expenses

Step 5: Obtain legal advice

Different notice requirements and time limits may apply. Obtaining legal advice early can help you understand your options and preserve important evidence. If you would like to know more about this, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

What Compensation Can You Claim After a Dog Attack?

If your claim is successful, compensation may be available for:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical, hospital and rehabilitation expenses
• Psychological treatment
• Loss of income
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Future treatment and care
• Domestic assistance
• Other expenses caused by the injury

The amount of compensation will depend on the seriousness of the injury, its ongoing effect on your life, your financial losses and the available evidence

How Long Do I Have to Make a Dog Attack Claim in Queensland?

Strict time limits apply to personal injury claims in Queensland.

Under the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002, Part 1 of a Notice of Claim generally must be given to the responsible person entity by the earlier of:

Nine months after the incident; or

One month after you first instruct a law practice and the proposed respondent is identified

Court proceedings for personal injury must also be commenced within three years of the cause of action arising. Otherwise any claim will be statute barred.

There may be exceptions or additional requirements, depending on the circumstances. You should obtain legal advice as soon as possible rather than waiting for a time limit to approach. We offer a free initial claims check, so if you would like to know where you stand, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What Laws Apply to Dog Attack Claims in Queensland

Several Queensland laws may be relevant to a dog attack injury compensation claim.

Civil Liability Act 2003

The Civil Liability Act 2003 contains principles used to assess negligence, including whether a risk was foreseeable, whether reasonable precautions should have been taken and whether the failure to take those precautions caused the injury.

Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002

The Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002, commonly known as PIPA, sets out the process an injured person must generally follow before commencing court proceedings. This includes giving the proposed respondent a formal Notice of Claim and participating in the required pre court process.

Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008

The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 contains requirements relating to dog control and public safety, which can assist in establishing liability in such circumstances.

Among other obligations, a relevant person for a dog, must exercise effective control of the animal in a public place and take reasonable steps to ensure the dog does not attack or act in a way that causes fear to a person or another animal.

A breach of an animal management obligation does not automatically mean that compensation will be payable. Civil liability must still be assessed based on the circumstances and the applicable legal principles.

Can I Claim for a Psychological Injury?

Potentially, yes. A dog attack can cause psychological injuries such as anxiety, post traumatic stress, or an ongoing fear of dogs.

A psychological injury may form part of a compensation claim when it is connected to the incident and supported by appropriate medical evidence.

Who Pays Compensation After a Dog Attack?

Who pays will depend on who was responsible and whether there is applicable insurance.

In some cases, a home and contents, landlord or public liability insurer may respond to the claim. However, the availability and extent of insurance will depend on the policy and circumstances.

Unsure? Speak to a Queensland Personal Injury Lawyer

Dog attack claims can involve complicated questions about who was responsible, what precautions should have been taken and whether insurance is available.

If you have been injured by a dog in Queensland, Evolve Legal can assess what happened, explain your rights and help you understand whether you may have a claim.

Contact our team today for a free initial claims check.