Growing problem
According to medical and veterinary services, people bitten by dogs—both children and adults—are admitted to hospitals every year. According to some estimates, there are 27,000 dog bites in Poland annually. Incidents most often occur in public spaces: on pavements, in parks or in residential estates. However, some cases also take place in private homes, when an animal attacks a guest or a family member.
Experts stress that dog bites occur for various reasons: a lack of proper dog training, inadequate supervision by the owner or people’s lack of knowledge about animal behaviour.
The idea of mandatory third-party liability insurance
In response to the growing number of incidents, a proposal has emerged to introduce mandatory third-party liability insurance for dog owners. The policy would cover treatment costs and compensation for people injured as a result of an animal attack.
Supporters of the solution argue that this type of insurance already operates in some European countries and increases owners’ sense of responsibility. In their view, dog owners should bear the financial consequences of damage caused by their animals, just as motorists do in the case of road accidents.
Czy właściciele psów powinni płacić obowiązkowe ubezpieczenie OC?
What are the example costs of this type of insurance?
As reported by the Superbiznes website:
Ewelina Ratajczak, an insurance expert at Rankomat.pl, points out that the policy cost is very low: the cheapest third-party liability insurance for dog owners starts at less than PLN 100 per year and may be an add-on to home insurance. Dedicated insurance policies for dogs and their carers are also available on the market, and their price depends on the breed and the selected coverage amount.
Third-party liability insurance for a dog costs just PLN 8.33 per month, less than a packet of cigarettes. For comparison, the consequences of a dog bite—treatment, rehabilitation and possible court proceedings—can amount to tens of thousands of zlotys. Without insurance, the chance of receiving real compensation is small.
Arguments from opponents
Critics of the idea, however, emphasise that mandatory third-party liability insurance could become another financial burden for pet owners. They also point out that most dogs do not pose a threat, and that the problem stems instead from the irresponsible behaviour of some owners.
In their view, greater emphasis should be placed on education, dog training and enforcement of the existing regulations concerning the keeping of animals.
What next?
For now, the proposal for mandatory third-party liability insurance for dog owners remains at the discussion stage. Experts point out, however, that as the number of pets in cities grows, the issue of responsibility for their behaviour will return more and more often in the public debate.
Would new regulations actually improve safety? Only a broader analysis and possible legislative work can provide an answer to this question.