If your dog injures someone or damages property

Key rules

• Observation: After a bite, your dog must be observed by a vet for 14 days.
• Liability: You are liable for damage your dog causes even if it escaped, unless force majeure or the victim's own fault applies.
• Insurer: Never admit liability or agree compensation with the victim yourself; leave it to your insurer.
• Report: Report the bite to your ayuntamiento promptly, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

What to do first

You are responsible for what your dog does. After a bite or damage, do three things quickly: report it to your ayuntamiento, put your dog under vet observation, and tell your insurer. The timeline, documents and checklist below set out the steps in order.

Report the incident

Report a bite to your ayuntamiento or its animal-control service. Do it promptly, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Exact deadlines are set by each region, so ask your town hall what applies where you live.

Doctors and hospitals that treat a bite must also report it to the courts and, in many regions, to public health. That means the incident can reach the authorities even if you say nothing, so report it yourself.

Vet observation

After a bite, the dog must be observed by a vet for 14 days. Take it to an official or authorised vet. The vet certifies its health at the start and at the end of the period. Observation may be done at home or at a shelter. Keep the certificate: your insurer and the authorities may ask for it.

Your civil liability

You are liable for the damage your dog causes, even if it escaped or strayed. The only exceptions are force majeure (an event outside anyone's control) or fault of the victim. Courts do not require the victim to prove you were careless.

Dog owners must also hold civil liability insurance. The cover required is set by regulation.

Tell your insurer

Tell your insurer as soon as possible, usually within 7 days, by phone and then in writing. Give the policy number, a description of what happened, the victim's details and any witnesses. Add your dog's microchip and vaccination records, the vet certificate and any medical or police reports.

Do not admit fault or agree to pay the victim directly. Leave that to the insurer. It opens a claim file and handles the defence and compensation, within the policy limits.

Fines and criminal risk

Fines: regional and municipal rules, plus the national animal welfare law, treat attacks and failure to control a dog as infractions. They are graded minor, serious or very serious, and fines rise with the grade. For dangerous dogs they can reach several thousand euros. Ask your town hall or regional animal-welfare office which fines could apply to your case.

Criminal: a bite that causes injury can be treated as negligent injury, with a fine or prison depending on how serious the injury is. Minor injuries are often handled as civil claims. If a criminal case opens, get a lawyer, and check with your insurer whether legal defence is covered.

Timeline and deadlines

• Keep your dog under vet observation; the vet certifies its health at the start and end: for 14 days, at home or at a shelter

Documents you need

• Your dog's microchip and vaccination records, to send to your insurer.

• The vet observation certificate, issued by an official or authorised vet.

• Any medical reports or police report about the incident, if they exist.

• Your insurance policy number, together with the victim's details and any witnesses.

Checklist

• Take your dog to an official or authorised vet for the 14-day observation.

• Ask the vet for a health certificate at the start and at the end of the period.

• Call your insurer, then confirm the incident in writing.

• Give the insurer the incident description, the victim's details, witnesses and your dog's records.

• Refuse to admit liability or agree compensation with the victim directly.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I report a dog bite to?

You report a bite to your local authority, meaning the ayuntamiento or its animal-control service. Doctors who treat the injury must also report it to the courts. Deadlines are set by your region, and a notice within 24 to 48 hours is usual.

Can I be held responsible even if my dog escaped?

Yes, you are liable for damage your dog causes even if it escapes or strays, unless it was force majeure or the victim's own fault. This is strict liability, so you do not need to have been careless.

Can a dog bite lead to a criminal case?

Yes, a bite that injures someone can be treated as negligent injury, with a fine or prison depending on how serious it is. Minor injuries are often handled as civil claims instead. Separate fines can apply if you failed to control the dog.

Should I talk to the victim about paying compensation?

No, do not admit fault or agree any payment with the victim yourself. Pass the details to your insurer, which handles the defence and compensation within your policy limits.