“The National Dog Trainers Federation aims to provide a channel of communication for all dog trainers, breeders and pet owners resulting in education and mutual support.”

What is an Expert Witness, what do they do and why would you need one?

Expert Witness

An expert witness is a person with vast knowledge and experience in a given field who is called upon by the courts to give their opinion on a given topic and / or incident.

The National Dog Trainers Federation has access to consultants, some of whom act as expert witnesses in many areas of canine related issues. These people are available to help you with:

1/ Your Options

2/ Legal Advice

3/ Expert Opinion in Court Cases

Why You may Need An Expert Witness

In most instances of dog attacks, which are obviously the main reason a dog owner ends up in court defending his or her dog, the victim or the victims guardian if the victim is a child or another dog, contacts the police or the local council who then contact you.

In some instances the victim will be satisfied if they are assured that you are intending to take relevant steps towards rectifying your dog's aggression. In other cases they are not happy to leave it at that.

In the case where the victim decides to take further action you will find yourself in court at the mercy of a magistrate who may or may not have any knowledge of dogs and why they do the things they do.

How Does The Expert Help?

After assessing your dog the expert can advise you if you have a case to defend, or if the dog is truly a dangerous animal.

The legal dog expert can put forth the reasons the dog did what it did. Maybe the victim exaggerated the claim or actually aggravated the dog into attacking.

There was a recent case where a gentleman said the dog in question savagely attacked him. The victim was wearing running shorts and the skin was not broken where the dog "attacked" him; he had a small bruise.

In this case the expert witness explained to the court how a dog's teeth are designed and what they are used for. He then went on to explain that if the dog had savagely attacked the man, the damage would have required hospitalisation.

The outcome resulted in a small fine to the dog owner because the dog wasn't on a lead. End of story.

If the dog's owner had not been represented, the dog would undoubtedly have been put to sleep or condemned to live in a cage for the rest of its life and the owner could have been heavily fined for owning a dangerous animal.

Do I Need An Expert?

You are walking your dog on a lead down the street when another dog sticks its head out from under a fence. Who is at fault when your dog attacks the dog's face from under the fence?

A person runs across the road heading straight for you and your dog thinks you need protection.

Who is at fault?

You are at an off-lead park and another dog approaches your dog and a fight ensues. The other dog is badly hurt but your dog is okay. Both dogs were legally off-lead.

Who is at fault?

These are just a couple of scenarios for you to think about. If you need to know the answer or think you may need an expert witness.

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