The British government last week proposed that dog owners be forced to get microchips and take out insurance for their pets, according to an Associated Press news report. Law makers say this law will target irresponsible dog owners who breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others. Use of microchips, they say, will help track down the owners of dogs involved in dog bite incidents or attacks, while liability insurance will ensure that dog bite victims are compensated for their injuries.

Dog attacks have apparently developed into a significant issue in Britain over the last several years. Hospital admissions, court cases and dog fights have proliferated. About 6,000 mail carriers are bitten each year. Also, since 2006, at least five children have been killed in dog attacks.

Mandatory Liability Insurance

The proposed law has drawn mixed reaction, as is to be expected. Those who oppose the law say it will penalize millions of law-abiding owners with a "dog tax." They say the government should focus on education and go after the breeders who supply dangerous dogs, rather than innocent dog owners. While microchips are a smaller issue, the debate is largely about mandatory liability insurance, which could cost dog owners hundreds of dollars a year, especially if they own "high-risk" breeds of dogs such as pit bulls and Rottweilers.

I absolutely agree with the British government's plan. In fact, the U.S. government and other local governments must adopt such a law to protect the people in their communities. How many stories have we read about someone who was attacked or killed by a loose dog, but that the dog owner could not be located? Microchips will help law enforcement officials track down the dog owner.

Holding Negligent Dog Owners Accountable

More importantly, insurance coverage will help compensate the injured victim. Why should a victim pay because an irresponsible dog owner could not control his or her dog? The expenses from a dog attack can be significant and can include medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, surgery and even cosmetic surgery, which is warranted in many dog bite cases to mend the scars.

In California, dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their pets under the state's strict liability statute. But if the owners cannot be found or held responsible, it unfairly leaves the victim saddled with medical bills and other associated expenses. As a California personal injury lawyer who represents dog bite victims, I urge our local governments to require mandatory liability insurance coverage for all dogs. It is especially necessary for those dog owners who own dangerous or vicious dogs or breeds of dogs known to be dangerous or vicious.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

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