Debate on Third-Party Liability Insurance for Dog Owners: More Bites Than Road Accidents

Analysis of statistical data for 2024 reveals a concerning trend: the number of people injured due to dog bites in Poland (26,588 cases) turned out to be higher than the number injured in traffic accidents (24,782 people). On average, 73 incidents involving dogs occur daily, posing a serious burden on the healthcare system and raising questions about the civil liability of owners. A report prepared by Izabela Kadłucka in collaboration with the Citizens' Network Watchdog Poland has become the basis for considering the introduction of mandatory third-party liability insurance for owners, particularly of breeds considered aggressive. Poland has one of the largest dog populations in the European Union, estimated at nearly 8 million individuals, while lacking a central animal registry, which makes it difficult to enforce owner responsibility. Despite alarming statistics, society remains divided on compulsory insurance. Research conducted by the Rankomat portal indicates that only 35% of respondents support the introduction of mandatory insurance. However, experts note that these figures may be underreported, as they only include incidents reported to medical services or the police. Simultaneously, in southern and eastern Poland, the problem related to wild animals and feral dog packs is escalating. In towns such as Rabka or Wołoskowola, cases of habituation of wolves have been recorded, with wolves appearing in broad daylight near residential buildings. Specialists emphasize that although media attention focuses on wolves, it is stray dogs roaming the forests that often pose a greater threat to people and livestock, as confirmed by attacks in Wilkanów near Bystrzyca Kłodzka. „Wilk niespodziewanie wybiegł zza jednego z domów znajdujących się w pobliżu zamarzniętego stawu.” (The wolf unexpectedly ran out from behind one of the houses located near the frozen pond.) — Sebastian Piątek The issue of bites has also become a subject of interest for parliamentarians. A parliamentary interpellation has appeared in the Sejm regarding the justification for introducing systemic legal solutions that would force owners of aggressive dogs to have insurance policies. Currently, most people rely on voluntary extensions of home insurance, which in the case of serious health impairments may prove insufficient to cover rehabilitation costs and compensation for victims.