What dog owners can do after Martin Lewis issued warning to anyone in UK with one

If there’s one man most of us look to for leading our way, giving us advice and just generally being a person we trust, it’s not necessarily a politician topping the list.

It’s Martin Lewis, of course. The Money Saving Expert always seems to have our backs from explaining the latest tax cuts to how to get the best deal on our car insurance.

And now he’s got the backs of dog owners.

Lewis issued a warning to anyone in the UK who owns a pooch – setting them apart from cat owners.

Why only dog owners?

Lewis took to X to explain that there is actually a legal difference when it comes to owning the two popular pets.

Building up some dramatics, he began: “There is one important legal difference between Dogs and Cats…"

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Lewis continued: “Cats are by law free spirits, dogs aren't. You're liable for your dog's behaviour if it causes damage or injury to other people or property.

“So always check pet insurance has 3rd-party cover (if not as a min get it standalone from @DogsTrust). You're not usually liable for a cat’s behaviour."

While that might have kicked off an argument between dog people and cat people, it’s also a kick up the ar*e for many dog owners to make sure they react to the bloke’s warning.

What dog owners need to do next

Whether you like it or not, the law in the UK recognises that cats are less likely to cause damage to people or property – but of course owners still have a duty to take reasonable care they don’t.

However, dog owners are completely liable for any damage their four-legged friend causes.

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Having pet insurance is vital but will only protect you and yours from any harm done by your dog – as well as of course helping with vet bills.

But when you’re signing up for that pet insurance, it’s worth checking that third part liability is included.

What does third party pet insurance cover?

This will cover you if your dog injures a person, injures another dog, or damages or breaks someone else’s belongings or property.

So long as your pooch doesn’t have an aggressive history, this third party liability will then cover vet bills, legal fees and damage costs.

These types of things won’t necessarily only be needed if your dog is doing something aggressively but perhaps if they just get excited and knock someone over or even be wagging their tail so much they break something.

Ah, it’s an expensive life with man’s best mate.

Topics: Martin Lewis, Dogs, UK News, Money

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_