A Practical Guide to Personal Injury Claims Involving Animals

Introduction

Part 1    Introduction to the Animals Act 1971
Outline of Strict Liability Under the Animals Act
General Principles and Definitions
(i) Meaning of Animal and Species
(ii) Who Is a Keeper? 
(iii) Damage
(iv) Causation

Part 2    Strict Liability for Dangerous Animals Under the Act
Liability for Animals of a Dangerous Species: S.2(1) Animals Act
Liability for Animals of a Non-Dangerous Species: S.2(2) Animals Act – Introduction
Likelihood of the Kind of Damage: S.2(2)(a) Animals Act
Characteristics of the Animal: S.2(2)(b) Animals Act
Knowledge of the Animal’s Characteristics: S.2(2)(c) Animals Act

Part 3    Defences to Strict Liability for Dangerous Animals Under the Act
Introduction to the Defences to Strict Liability
Damage Due Wholly to the Fault of the Claimant: S.5(1) Animals Act
Voluntary Acceptance of the Risk of Damage: S.5(2) Animals Act
Damage Caused to a Trespasser: S.5(3) Animals Act
Other Defences to Strict Liability
(i) Contributory negligence
(ii) Limitation

Part 4    Animals and the Highway
Introduction to Animals and the Highway
Animals Straying on to the Highway
Users of the Highway

Part 5    Common Law Liability for Animals
Introduction to Common Law Liability for Animals
Negligence
Other Causes of Action
(i) Occupiers’ liability
(ii) Trespass to the Person
(iii) Nuisance 

Appendix: The Animals Act 1971