Dangerous Dog Assessments
Dog Expert Witness Service:
Navigating Dangerous Dog Assessments
When facing legal action involving your dog, you need a qualified expert to guide you. With close to 25 years of experience in dog behaviour, a Master's degree in my chosen field, and a successful record of providing assessments, reports, and court testimony, invariably under the Dangerous Dogs Act, I provide clear, confident support for you and your dog. As well as dealing with the owners directly, I am used to speaking with and taking instructions from police, courts, rescue organisations, fostering and adoption agencies.
What is a Dog Expert Witness?
A dog behaviour professional who carries out impartial behavioural and breed-type assessments of dogs and explains detailed dog behaviour concepts to the court. My duty is to the court, not any specific party, ensuring impartial, qualified and independent expertise.
My Role in Your Case
Dog Behavior Assessment: Detailed evaluation of your dog's temperament and behaviour in various settings.
Breed Identification: Determining if your dog falls under any banned breed categories.
Provisional Opinion on Breed Type: Prior to importing a dog (e.g., USA to UK relocations).
Expert Court Testimony: Providing clear and credible evidence in court when required.
Why Choose My Expertise?
Over 20 Years of Hands-on Experience: Deep understanding of complex canine behaviours, including aggression to dogs and humans, possessiveness, barking, and other issues relevant to legal cases.
Proven Success: A strong track record of helping dogs avoid unnecessary destruction and achieving positive outcomes for the dog and owner.
Legal and Behavioural Acumen: My background as an ex-police officer ensures professionalism, combined with extensive dog expertise for assessing intricate cases.
Trusted By: Solicitors, police forces nationwide, welfare organisations, and adoption/fostering agencies.
My Qualifications
Master's degree in Dog Behaviour (Middlesex University)
CFBA Full Member (the UK’s leading dog behaviour association)
Pet Behaviourist to Petplan UK
25 years of handling all dog breeds - Experience is paramount
Cases I Work With
Dog bite cases
Dangerous dog assessments (including "dangerously out of control" incidents)
Breed type assessments
Breed type comments prior to importing a dog into the UK
Your Next Steps: My Process
Contact: You, or your solicitor, contact me to discuss your case.
Quote: I provide transparent fees upfront. Legal Aid Agency (LAA) and private work undertaken.
Case Assessment: I analyse all available evidence, including photos, videos, statements, and reports.
Dog Assessment: An on-site evaluation for temperament and/or breed Identification.
Detailed Report: Includes video, photographic, and written evidence to robustly support your dog's case.
Ongoing Liaison: I work closely with you, your solicitor, and the police for the best possible outcome.
Court Testimony: I provide clear and credible evidence in court when required, with calm guidance throughout the stressful process.
Dog Expert Witness Testimonials:
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"We are pleased to say that Nick’s report was a factor in having the dog returned to our client under the Court Ordered Exemption Scheme."
“ We required assistance for a client who was facing proceedings under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and instructed Nick to carry out a behavioural assessment on our behalf. From the outset, he was very approachable and helpful and more than willing to discuss the issues with us at any time. The police officer in charge of the matter also remarked favourably on his dealings with him and we are pleased to say that Nick’s report was a factor in having the dog returned to our client under the Court Ordered Exemption Scheme.”
Greg Weaver – Mander Hadley Solicitors
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"Certainly the best Dog Expert Witness I have come across."
"Nick Jones is professional, reliable, personable and thorough. He is a pleasure to deal with and he helped achieve a wonderful result for our client. Certainly the best Dog Expert Witness I have come across."
Ned Kemp - Allen Hoole Solicitors, Bristol. -
"Nick saw how much myself and Patch love and care for each other and words can't describe the appreciation and gratitude I have for the work Nick did. Thank you again."
“I would like to give a big thank you to our dog expert witness Nick for his help with Patch.
The work Nick did with Patch has been a brilliant help with his confidence around people and I have noticed a great change in his interaction and trust in other people, I can only put this down to the time Nick spent talking to and playing with Patch and showing him trust which made Patch more happy and comfortable. I would also like to thank Nick for not judging Patch and giving him the chance to interact and be himself and also helping me with my anxieties in doing that.
Nick saw how much myself and Patch love and care for each other and words can't describe the appreciation and gratitude I have for the work Nick did. Thank you again.”
Scott & Patch
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"Nick Jones completes independent dog assessments for our prospective foster carers. The reports received have always been extremely well written and go above and beyond our expectations."
"Dog Expert Witness Nick Jones completes independent dog assessments for our prospective foster carers where applicants have large or boisterous dogs, or dogs that raise any concerns in regard to their reactions around young people. Nick is extremely knowledgeable about what an agency requires in regard to report writing and has presented well at the visits he has undertaken for our agency. The reports received have always been extremely well written and go above and beyond our expectations, ensuring all eventualities are covered well. Alongside this, Nick has been extremely flexible and has provided all reports in a timely manner."
Jennifer Dear. National Panel Coordinator. Advanced Foster Care. Birmingham.
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"He is very easy to communicate with and gained an instant rapport with my client."
"Mr. Jones provided a fast and efficient service as a dangerous dog assessor. He is very easy to communicate with and gained an instant rapport with my client. His expertise is clearly evident and he is rigorous in his approach. It was my pleasure to work with you. Best wishes, Julian."
Julian Berg - Consultant Solicitor - Cox Burley Solicitors.
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"The service he provides is first class and I will certainly use his services again. Keep up the great work Nick."
“I have used Nick Jones as a Dog Expert Witness of Alpha Dog Behaviour Ltd on a few occasions now and he provides a thorough and timely report. I have used him to assess the dangerousness of dogs and to assess a dog's “type”. The service he provides is first class and I will certainly use his services again. Keep up the great work Nick."
Dan Heard - Solicitor-Advocate. Goldstones Solicitors. Swansea.
Trusted 5 Star Reviews
