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Original poster

DC was bitten by strange dog, owner has now contacted me

482 replies

Villanelle · 14/04/2021 14:03

Yesterday my DC was bitten by a dog at the park. He was playing in the play area, went down the slide and then started running after his younger sibling, the dog came out of nowhere and started chasing him. It caught up to him and bit him on the leg and back. He was hurt (puncture wounds, bleeding and bruised) but not enough to need stitches, thankfully. It was terrifying though and could have been so much worse. It was a big dog, like a Weimaraner, and totally out of control in a children's play area, the children(!!) walking it had to drag it away.

We contacted the police but they're going to contact us again in a couple of days.
It was posted about on FB by someone who witnessed it. I didn't reply to it but somehow the owner of the dog has contacted me. They haven't apologised or anything, just given me their phone number and told me to phone them.

I want to shout at them for being so irresponsible, I'm so angry. I don't know if I should reply to them or just leave it up to the police/dog warden. I don't want to argue with them, of course, but I don't think they realise how awful the situation was?

OP posts:
redglobox · 17/04/2021 00:26

I would find out if the owner is insured and if he/she is then sue them. There are solicitors who specialise in this. There was an article in the Guardian a day or two ago.

k1233 · 17/04/2021 00:27

If the dog is PTS it is not your fault. It is the dog owners fault for failing to adequately train and safely walk their dogs. People should not be in danger playing in a park. The dog that attacked my dog while we were out on a walk was declared dangerous and owners opted to PTS instead of comply with the onerous dangerous dog requirements. I initially felt awful, as like you i have dogs and love animals. But, the attack was unprovoked. The dog was not safe. It is unfair the dog has to pay the ultimate price for idiot owners. Again, it is not your fault. It is the fault of the owners. They could muzzle the dog when it is walked so it can't bite. They have a lot of options, but choose not to take them with a dog that sounds to have a known history for this behaviour.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 17/04/2021 00:27

Only on MN are people horrified at the thought of a dog who bit a child being PTS Hmm of course it should be PTS before it does much worse damage to someone else!

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 17/04/2021 00:28

I'd 100% want a dog who bit any child to be PTS.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 17/04/2021 00:30

@Divebar2021

Having walked very frequently in public parks over lockdown I’m pretty terrified by the large increase in puppies that I’ve seen being walked. To my mind there are a great deal of novice owners who are now walking a variety of big breeds and seemingly not sure what to do with them. I’ve seen children and teenagers being pulled around by German shepherds and what looked to me like a pit bull type dog going mental at a tree ( no sign of any wildlife in it). I just know we’re going to have a problem when these dogs get too big to be controlled and the lack of training becomes apparent. But of course you can’t say anything because we must be told instead about irresponsible parents allowing children to misbehave - as if the two things were comparable.
Yes same

And lack of puppy training classes being available doesn't help.

Went to a friends the other night for a drink and the puppy she got in lockdown was out of control. Jumping all over me, trying to jump on my head, begging for food, trying to eat shoes etc. Friend was totally unprepared for a dog, she was bored on furlough and I told her not to do it unless she was willing to train it like mad.

Original poster
Villanelle · 17/04/2021 00:33

I've seen far too many lockdown puppies being hit/slapped/kicked/screamed at/yanked about for doing normal, untrained, puppy things. What are these dogs going to be like when they're fully grown? The whole thing is so sad and worrying.

OP posts:
me4real · 17/04/2021 01:14

Youu're right to let the police deal with it. The dog is dangerous and/or not being properly controlled in a public area and people are being harmed.

Some owners are crap and also some individual dogs aren't good pets- I had one and she ended up biting me all over. No matter what we tried, her behaviour regressed. I honestly think she had dog autism.

She went to someone else eventually and I think they had her put down - I wish they'd contacted me instead and I'dve arranged for her to go somewhere else. Sad

ArcheryAnnie · 17/04/2021 01:34

I adore dogs, absolutely adore them, and still think that a dog who has attacked a child like this should be PTS. It won't be your decision (rightly), and it won't be your fault, either, should it happen - it will be the owner's fault. And I think it won't just stop further injuries being caused by that dog, but possibly potential injuries that may be caused by other dogs in the future, as the prospect of their dogs being PTS might concentrate owners' attention in the way that injuries on a mere child won't.

Poor you, seeing your kid get so nastily injured. Your poor kid, who will need time to heal from the fear as well as the injuries. The poor dog, who has been so thoroughly let down by its owners.

jentinquarantino20 · 17/04/2021 03:42

This post terrifies me. I just put myself mentally in the position of one of my 2 being attacked. I fear contacting the owner would make things far worse as I would want to rip their faces off. As for people asking what the police would do?? It’s an attack on a child, they should do something.

As for the owner, I couldn’t enjoy an animal I had to muzzle and I’m a massive animal lover. I had a cat who regularly scratched my boy. She had to go. Kids come before animals so I hope the police do the right thing.

Your poor boy, hope he’s ok now

Reinventinganna · 17/04/2021 04:24

Your poor boy @Villanelle. How shocking for you all.

Standingstone77 · 17/04/2021 07:38

I had a much loved dog. He bit my daughter. He didn’t mean it, was mortified, very out of character. I had him pts. Vet agreed. Was very sad.
Give the number/message to the police, don’t contact them.

KittyMcV · 17/04/2021 07:53

I haven't read the whole thread and I didn't see the incident, but I am a great champion of dogs and a hater of irresponsible owners. The dog should only be PTS if it is shown they are actually a danger. A rumbunctious pup can break skin, but would not normally be a 'danger' - but the book should be thrown at any adult who puts children, other adults and their dog at risk by not being in full control of their dog. Leave it up to the police. But they may well ask you what you want to happen - and you may well wish to know more about the dog. It was also the children left in charge of the dog who were at risk and they may also be traumatised. Lots to consider. Hope your son is ok now.

Poorlykitten · 17/04/2021 08:00

I think if the police want to push it further there are probably more incidents of the dog being out of control. It is 100% not your fault and all on the dog owners, sound like they really shouldn’t have a dog.

Crispina · 17/04/2021 08:08

The above is about a mum and kids being hospitalised after a dog attack during an Easter egg hunt in a London park

helenoftroystonvasey · 17/04/2021 08:33

If I were you, I would call them. Hear what they have to say and give them a piece of my mind

Beverley71 · 17/04/2021 09:55

[quote Villanelle]@mindutopia How bloody dreadful! Report it for sure! I hope your DC is OK.

To reiterate, DC saw a doctor, details have been passed on to police, I did not reply to owner. I don't believe for a second they wanted to apologise, especially since I saw the kids walking the dog again. If I were them my very first message would have been an apology.

As for the absolutely ridiculous suggestion that my child didn't come to any harm? Biscuit
He did not antagonise or bait the dog in anyway. He knows how to behave around dogs. He's still upset and worried and the wounds are still painful and the bruising is dreadful. It stretches from the back of his knee up to his shoulder.

The police contacted us again today and asked what we would like to happen. We asked about some sort of control order or whatever it's called now (can't remember, sorry) and the police officer actually told us he would like to "push it all the way" because what happened was completely unacceptable. It definitely sounded like we are not the first people to report this dog.

I love dogs. I have dogs! I hate shitty irresponsible owners who ruin it for the good ones. If this dog ends up being PTS it certainly won't be my fault, it will be the owners. It's not the outcome I really want but I doubt they will change and be responsible and that dog will remain a bite risk who could do much worse next time.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I appreciate it.[/quote]
I totally agree that if this dog does get PTS then it is the irresponsible owners fault. I love dogs, I have a dog too but I make sure its under control, especially around children. I was bitten by a known vicious dog (small staffy cross) last April and the police have not done anything. The dog I was attacked by has attacked before and the owner has also been in court because it attacked a child. This doesn’t seem to be taken seriously until they kill someone and by then its too late

MrsLighthouse · 17/04/2021 09:58

The police have probably approached them and that’s why they want to talk to you . Whether or not it’s to apologise or get some version of what happened for their own benefit , l would agree with others and say just form the police . Why muddy the waters by having to deal with a 3rd party.

Ravenclawsome · 17/04/2021 10:50

I would ask your DC for their input on what they'd like to happen.

I was bitten as a child and would have been devastated and blamed myself if the dog had been put down as a result

ExpatAl · 17/04/2021 11:06

Absolutely no way should the responsibility of decision be given to the kids.

Livingtothefull · 17/04/2021 11:12

'I don't believe for a second they wanted to apologise, especially since I saw the kids walking the dog again'.

That is absolutely unforgivable, it shows they have no remorse. I don't know tbh why the police ask you what you want to happen, any other crime the courts decide what the outcome will be & the victim is not involved.

waitingforthenextseason · 17/04/2021 11:19

I don't believe for a second they wanted to apologise, especially since I saw the kids walking the dog again.

Take the police advice; the owners clearly don't give a shit if their kids are still off on their own with the dog.

Please pursue it so it doesn't happen again to another child.

boomboom1234 · 17/04/2021 11:47

Of course the child shouldn't be asked what they think. How ridiculous. The dog should be put down no question. It's not up to a child to shoulder the burden. Rules are rules a good attacked a child it's not safe.

RonSwansonsChair · 17/04/2021 11:55

So sorry to hear your poor DS is still in pain.
It must be incredibly frustrating to see the dog still being walked by the children, who obviously can't control it.
I agree with letting the authorities decide on the outcome with the dog, especially if there is any risk of them biting again - which it sounds like there is.

TrixieFatell · 17/04/2021 12:19

The only people to blame for the dog being pts are those that haven't cared for it.

I am nervous around dogs. I was bitten by a staffy after the owner set his dog on us because we ran through the communal yard. I was lucky I had a thick winter coat on. If a dog comes near my children I'm terrified. I once had my youngest (then 1 Yr old) in his car seat, I'd opened the driver door and these two dogs ran into my car and jumped all over my car. The owner thought I was over reacting because they were just excitable. I don't care if your dog is just excitable, if you cannot control them then they shouldn't be off a lead. I have a dog myself, a small breed. He's got great recall and never approaches other people or dogs yet the amount of dogs I get running over to him is unreal. He was attacked by a staffy a few years ago, in front of my children. Again the owners had no control. I hate bad dog owners, a dog can be very dangerous and there really needs to be bigger consequences for poor ownership.

Conversely the amount of children that just approach my dog to stroke him or pick him up is ridiculous too.