Parliamentary Interpellation on Mandatory Liability Insurance for Dogs Amid Rising Number of Dog Bites in Poland

A debate has begun in the Polish Sejm on introducing mandatory liability insurance for dog owners, particularly those with breeds considered aggressive. The direct impetus is shocking numerical data on the scale of the dog bite problem. A report prepared by Izabela Kadłucka in cooperation with the Civic Network Watchdog Poland reveals that in 2024, 26,588 cases of dog bites were recorded. This means that on average, 73 people per day suffer such an injury. For comparison, during the same period, 24,782 people were injured in road accidents, averaging 68 per day. „„This shows that the problem of dog bites is not marginal”” — Izabela Kadłucka, współautorka raportu.

The issue of animal owners' liability for damages caused by them has been regulated in Poland by the Civil Code for decades. Article 431 of the Civil Code establishes so-called strict liability, obliging the animal's keeper to compensate for the damage caused, unless the damage occurred due to force majeure or solely due to the fault of the injured party. Mandatory liability insurance for certain dog breeds exists in some European countries, e.g., in Germany or Denmark. Despite clear data, social acceptance for such an obligation is low. According to a survey conducted by Rankomat, only 35% of surveyed Poles support the idea of mandatory liability insurance for dog caretakers. The parliamentary debate is taking place alongside intensifying media discussions about increased wolf activity. In recent weeks, their presence has been recorded near buildings in Kłodzko Land, where an attack on a sheep flock occurred in Wilkanów, and in Rabka, where warnings were issued to residents. Foresters and naturalists reassure, explaining the phenomenon of habituation, but simultaneously admit that wolves are increasingly boldly entering urbanized areas.

Comparison of the Number of Victims in 2024: Dog bites: 26588, Injured in road accidents: 24782 In the context of the threat, some experts, like naturalist Adam Zbyryt, point out that a bigger problem than wolves may be feral or stray dogs, which form packs and hunt in forests. Thus, the public debate combines two strands: legislative, concerning the responsibility of domestic dog owners, and environmental-safety, related to coexistence with large predators. Upcoming sessions of Sejm committees will show whether arguments based on hard statistics will convince lawmakers to amend the regulations.Left-wing and center-left media may emphasize the necessity of increasing state responsibility for citizen safety through regulations like mandatory liability insurance, pointing to numerical data as proof of a systemic problem. | Right-wing and conservative media may criticize the idea as another obligation and tax imposed on citizens, arguing that education and individual responsibility are more important than compulsory insurance.