This site sets out an overview of the new and old law in relation to animals and in particular to the very specific laws in relation to dogs.
We provide you with full details of the law.
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The first thing to note is that there is a clear difference between dogs and all other animals. Dogs are in a special category and we will deal with them below after we have given you the law in relation to all other animals.
ANIMALS OTHER THAN DOGS
Before the Animals Law Reform Act 1989 became law, the owner of an animal was liable for damage done by that animal only in certain circumstances. The liability generally only related to dangerous animals, unless there was clear negligence or carelessness on the part of an owner.
You would obviously be liable for damage if you decided to take a very large St Bernard dog into a china shop.
Similarly, if we use the old "bull in a china shop" analogy, the law would say you were liable if you took a bull into a confined area if that bull caused damage. The law would say that you were clearly being careless and you would have to pay for the damages.
But in normal circumstances you would not be liable for damage caused by your animal unless it was known to be a dangerous ani-
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