Honestly, gnu, it's true what MtheGM says, there isn't any such thing as Common Law Marriage here in UK. Any property disputes resulting from cohabitation can only be settled by whose name is actually on the house purchase, who actually bought the goods etc. The person who didn't buy it doesn't get anything.One has no rights at all if one isn't married. (If there are children, they have to be maintained, of course, by both parents)
It's also quite true that there is no such thing as allowing a dog one bite. The Police take over and a judge decides if the dog should be put down, even if it's the first time it has bitten anybody.