Hello, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. In need of some advice and perspective please.
Whilst walking my dog in a local 'dog walking park' earlier in the week, my dog was aggressively attacked by another dog. My dog was on a lead and harness. The other dog was off lead, no collar. He spotted us from the other side of the park (we were just inside the gated entrance), hurtled towards us snarling and frothing and started a frenzied biting attack on my dog. The person with the dog (young lad, about 17-18) was sat some way away, scrolling through his phone. On hearing my screams he partly ran over but then stood 12 feet away, too petrified to intervene. He kept saying 'I don't know what to do'. I was screaming at him to get his dog (which was now biting at my boots as I tried to kick it off). My dog laid there whimpering and cowering. The whole thing went on for about 3 minutes before the lad manged to pull the snarling dog off mine. I was very shaken and retreated as fast as I could. Went straight home to collect my car to get to the vets. My dog is ok physically - very bruised, had some painkilling injections. He's now really nervous though, and hid under the bed for a while. I've only walked him in a really secluded wood since, a 10 minute drive away, where there are few other walkers/dogs, but if we see any, he cowers at my side. I'm too afraid to walk in the local area.
I called the police to report, and initially they were very helpful. I know the other dog, and have seen it before on walks but always with a woman who I assume to be the Mum of the boy. It's always been on a lead before, although has always snapped and snarled at us. So I was able to tell them the name of the owner. My hope for an outcome was that the owner would be advised to keep their dog on a lead and muzzled in a public place. However, had a call from PCSO yesterday who was rather snippy and dismissive. Said that she'd spoken to the owner who said for some reason her dog doesn't like our dog, and isn't aggressive with any other dogs. I replied that was hardly the point, and surely one aggressive attack is one too many. She said that the owner had said that if they see us in future they will put their dog on a lead. They obviously have no comprehension of how out of control the dog was at the time of the attack. There was no chance of getting a lead on it before the damage was done! I told her that I was now afraid to walk my dog in the local area (I don't know exactly where they live but suspect within 1 mile radius as I often see them out and about). The PCSO snapped a reply that 'I've done what I was tasked to do, which is speak to the owner, what else is it you want?' I said that I wanted some reassurance that their dog would be kept under control in future, and that I don't think it was fair to tell me to try to avoid the other dog when I don't know where the other dog might be at any time. She said that she'd have to go away and think about it and get some advice, because she' not an 'expert on dog law'. She then put the phone down on me.
She's due to call over the weekend with a follow up. I wondered if anyone had any similar experiences and could advise. Or does anyone know what my rights are, if any?
It sounds ridiculous but I was absolutely terrified, and have been tearful and anxious ever since. It really brought it home to me that when a dog attacks there is very little you can do. I was driving past the local park a couple of days ago and saw the same dog running around the park, off lead. I feel so angry (and sad) that people can be so irresponsible.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post!