Horrific attack on my dog

[TheCrumpledToe]

My DM was walking my pug for me on Monday when he was attacked by 2 bigger dogs that were off the lead. They literally tried to rip him in half and he is still at the vets now recovering from his injuries.
There were quite a few witnesses as my DM was shouting and screaming and eventually the attacking dogs were pulled off and I believe they bit their owner while he was trying to help.
The police were contacted by one of the witnesses and my DM but when they contacted me they said they couldn't do anything as a crime hadn't been committed.
Is there anything I can do? These dogs are well known where I live for being aggressive and I have no idea why they weren't on leads.

[idontlikealdi]

That sounds horrific and I hope your dog recovers well.

I thought you could be prosecuted for having an out of control dog - attacking another dog can be considered as that. Can you call the rspca or local dog wardens for advice?

What did the owners say?

[TheCrumpledToe]

I thought having an out of control dog was a crime too but it doesn't seem to be unless it hurts a person.
The owner was shouting that he will pay for my vet bill but somehow I don't think he will especially when he sees how much it is going to be!
I'm waiting for the dog warden to ring so hopefully they may have some advice.
I just feel so sick about it all. The vet said that my dogs skin has been pulled from the muscle inside where the dogs tried to pull him apart and is filling with fluid so he has a drain in him. They said he was very lucky to be alive.

[idontlikealdi]

Poor thing.

Most insurance has legal cover - is it worth contacting your insurer to see what they recommend?

[TheCrumpledToe]

The dog warden or man from the council as there is no dog warden now just rang and said the police are wrong and I need to ring them again!
I will look into the insurance. Thank you

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Good god, your poor dog, I'm so sorry. Definitely pursue it with the police. I hope he makes a full recovery.

We were bothered by an out of control dog today. He wasn't aggressive, just a nuisance, wouldn't leave my dog alone and kept bullying him. The owner said oh it's fine, he's no trouble. I said he is, he's a bloody nuisance and I would like you to come and get him! Some owners. 🙄

[arabhorsesarebest]

My dog (who was on his lead) was attacked by the same dog (who was off his lead) on two separate occassions, he required an anaesthetic the first time to clean multiple puncture wounds to his back, the owner of the other dog actually laughed at my dog when he was screaming his head off and said he was being dramatic!
Luckily for me I knew the owners first name and as I live in a small village I talked to the women who runs our local pet feed store and she told me the owners full name and told me she lived in the next village. I then contacted our community police officer who tracked the women down using the electoral role and went and spoke to her. I was told my complaint would "stay on file" and if either myself or someone else made a complaint again about this owner/dog the police would take it further. I accept I dont live in an area rampant with crime and this maybe about as exciting as it gets for our local police officers but I was pleasantly surprised by how seriously they took it.

[Bluntness100]

This is a crime by my understanding, I'd speak to the police again, dangerous dogs off the leash is illegal.

[Blackfellpony]

Your poor dog

I think the police generally aren't interested in dog on dog attack s but your local paper may be to warn others/shame owner into paying!

[pigsDOfly]

Oh god OP, your poor dog and poor you. I hope he makes a full recovery.

This seems to be a very confused area.

Dogs are supposed to be under control and on lead when in the street. I also thought having an out of control dog made you liable to a fine, but the police don't seem to want to know about dog on dog attacks. I know someone whose dog was horrifically injured by an off lead dog in the street, not far from a school, police didn't want to know. Fortunately, the dog made a full recovery.

So what exactly does the term 'out of control' mean when apply to dogs?

Clearly means different things to different people.

[arabhorsesarebest]

My dog was attacked whilst walking through a field where there were sheep/cows which was why my dog was on a lead. Our local constabulary seemed to think the dog was out of control and said they would advise the owner that in future it should at the very least be kept on a lead when out in a public area and also seriously think about muzzling it.
I could have pushed for her to be prosecuted and fined but choose not too. Perhaps in rural communities with high levels of livestock police are more interested in out of control dogs?

[ruthsmumkath]

My dog was attacked a few weeks ago and the police did come round and then visited the suspected dogs owner but also said they could only advise the owner to get the dog trained and muzzle/ control the dog better in public unless it actual hurt a person.

Hope your dog is better soon

[TheCrumpledToe]

I did speak to the police again and it has been recorded as a crime but they won't take any action. The owner of the attacking dogs has paid the vet bill so far but I suspect it will be ongoing.
My poor little dog has hardly moved and just lies in the floor looking so sad

[PikachuSayBoo]

Oh bless him. I hope the police have at least told the owner the dogs must be muzzled.

I would consider writing to the police and making a complaint. Or ringing and asking to speak to an inspector. It is a crime to have a dog dangerously out of control, has been for about a year. I would want to know why they're not prosecuting. Especially when the dogs are known locally for being trouble.

[tealady]

How horrible for you and your poor little dog. I hope he feels a bit better soon and stops feeling quite so sad. Here is some info about dogs from the UK Gov website
www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
It certainly seems to suggest that an attack on another dog could be considered as an offence.

[TheCrumpledToe]

The police said they won't even go and talk to the owner. It's unbelievable that nothing can be done.
I will be so worried when I can eventually take him out again that we will bump into the dogs.

[Wolfiefan]

Local neighbourhood warden? RSPCA? I would walk somewhere different and change your routine. Love him. He looks so sore and so anxious.
Why won't the police speak to the owner? They need to have control of their dogs. After an incident like this I would expect them to be on the lead or muzzled.

[tealady]

Also this is interesting and suggests that the polic can take action.

www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q23.htm?letter=D

[Scuttlebutter]

I would write to your local Councillor regarding the owner of the dogs especially if they have a reputation for being out of control.

I would also contact Trevor Cooper of DogLaw who is the leading expert in this field and discuss your options with him, including a civil action.

[vjg13]

Do you think the dog owner will keep the dogs muzzled from now on, surely he won't want this type of incident happening again especially if he was bitten and has had the expense of the vet's bill?

[TheCrumpledToe]

Thank you for all your advice. I might get back on to the police again. I have a lot of local support as I only live in a small town and everyone seems to be talking about it.

[pigsDOfly]

He looks so sad and anxious, poor little chap. Hope he picks up soon.

Agree with pp about making more of a fuss. Do you have a local paper you could get on side. I'm not suggesting you name anyone but you might get some support from them in trying to get more action in your area over out of control dogs. Also would speak to the local dog warden.

[pklme]

In my area someone has been prosecuted for less than this.
if people are afraid of a dog it is a out of control.
You were afraid, it could have hurt you or the owner.

[ExitPursuedBySpartacus]

Oh your poor pooch!

[PipersPiping]

Your poor little dog, he looks so sorry for himself. And your poor mum, i was walking my dog when she was attacked and it was a horrific experience.
The police wont be interested unless its a person who has been attacked, its rubbish but true.

[LumelaMme]

I have a lot of local support as I only live in a small town and everyone seems to be talking about it.
Word spreads in small places - we have a notorious dog near us (also in a small town), which is at least now walked on a lead after it bit a couple of other dogs. With any luck, social pressure will have some effect on the owners of the dogs that attacked your poor chap.