- Nothing to pay
- No deductions from your compensation
- Access to UK's leading personal injury solicitors
- Excellent claim success rate
- Friendly, supportive and genuine staff
- Impartial legal advice without any cost or commitment
This requires Flash
Personal injury claim news
19/03/2008
Private members bill fails in house of commons
A private members bill that sought to restrict the liability of responsible horse owners from personal injury claims arising from animal accidents has failed to win sufficient support in the House of Commons, despite having support from the government.
MP, Jonathan Shaw, speaking on behalf of the government during the debate, commented, "We are pleased, as a Government, to confirm our support for the Bill", and that, "The case for amending the Act is, we believe, persuasive".
The private members bill sought only to restrict liability for personal injury claims resulting from animal accidents involving non-dangerous animals such as cattle, snails, horses and garden worms. It would not have affected personal injury claims resulting from incidents involving inherently dangerous animals such as venomous snakes, hippopotamuses, scorpions, fighting dogs and big cats, in this sense it would have acted to clarify the Animals Act 1971.
Simon Hart, chief executive of Countryside Alliance, who along with magazine Horse and Hound, supported the bill, commented, "This Bill addressed an inherent unfairness in the 1971 Act and would have provided important legal clarification for animal owners. Whilst it is very disappointing that the Bill has failed at this stage, the Minister's support suggests that this is an issue that must be revisited at the earliest possible moment.
"The current situation when livestock farmers, keepers of animals and riding schools can be sued for accidents over which they have no control is blatantly unfair. This Bill will encourage responsibility on the part of keepers and boost rural businesses.
"If the case for amending the Act is persuasive, then the Act obviously needs to be amended as soon as possible."
