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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:
SchadenfreudePersonified · 14/04/2021 15:54

Who knows, maybe it’s not the first time it’s happened and the police would be aware that the dog has bitten before?

Even if it isn't the first time the dog has bitten, it may not have been reported - by reporting it the OP ensures that if this happens again and another report ids made, the police are aware of a pattern of behaviour and that the owners have been warned to keep the dog under control. This means that they have more power to prosecute to next time.

MayorGoodwaysChicken · 14/04/2021 15:55

I would absolutely pass it on to the police and don’t engage with them at all. If it were me there was nothing they could say that would stop me doing everything in my power to ensure the dog was destroyed or at the least removed from the owner. I understand that may not be under my immediate control but I wouldn’t rest until I’d done everything possible to ensure that the next victim isn’t killed. I’m terrified when dogs are anywhere near my small children (Obviously don’t let my children know what!) and this stuff is why. I know many people will disagree but aside from therapy dogs I just wish dogs weren’t allowed. They’re everywhere these days and for those of us that don’t feel comfortable around them they spoil so much. Parks etc are dominated by inconsiderate and irresponsible owners and their massive dogs tearing about, and I feel I’m constantly on edge. I strongly believe they should only be allowed off lead in segregated and fenced areas. And before someone says it, yes I know lots of people don’t like my children, but the difference is I don’t allow them to run around screaming and out of control jumping on strangers and they have no ability to injure you or worse.

DorisLessingsCat · 14/04/2021 15:57

No advice just to say I'm so sorry and I hope your DC recovers.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/04/2021 16:13

Why would anyone go out of their way to find the contact details to blame the child?

Because the dog may have done similar before - something I see OP's now confirmed, along with saying the owner's tone was rude

A responsible owner's dog wouldn't have been in a kids' play area in the first place, which is just one more reason engaging with him will get her nowhere

I'm just glad, OP, that your son's okay Flowers

LongCOVID · 14/04/2021 16:16

Hope your DC recovers quickly - both physically and mentally.
Do NOT contact them. Give the details to the police.

murbblurb · 14/04/2021 16:25

250000 dog bite injuries a year in the UK, plus the odd fatality. Owners of dangerous dogs generally give zero fucks and unfortunately it can be four strikes before any action is taken. With luck the dog will turn on the owners, but please please do not engage with these people - let the police deal with it.

murbblurb · 14/04/2021 16:26

Ah, too late. And yes the usual book of excuses. Actually I hope the dog does turn on them.

132orbust · 14/04/2021 16:27

Do not engage with the owner.
Hope this clarifies what you can expect the police to do:

www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/bsl/dda

I wish this wasn't so bloody common and judging by the comments on our local group the owners are rarely apologetic.
Your poor DS.

WombatChocolate · 14/04/2021 16:29

I wouldn’t reply or make contact.
The tone of the message which does not make any apology or do anything apart form ask you to call, doesn’t suggest real and genuine concern for your child, but other motives for contact.

No doubt these people are worried (as they should be) and want to establish what happened. They might want to defend the dog or their own actions in letting it out without adult control. Who knows? You haven’t contacted them and haven’t asked for them to have your details so don’t reply.

But given you’ve contacted the Police and they are involved I would definitely pass on the message from them to the Police and mention that you don’t know how they got your details and are uncomfortable communicating with them but want everything done offically.

Lots of people in here would love you to contact them and a big row to blow up...as spectators they might enjoy that. It wouldn’t be best for you, however tempting giving them a piece of your mind is.

The Police should handle it. Make sure you have photos of the injuries and have dated them. If you haven’t already take them today and date them to show they are a day later.

Did you go to the Doctor or hospital?

Dealing with these people and the dog is certainly a matter for the Plicie and not you as victims.

AdoraBell · 14/04/2021 16:32

I agree with just passing their details to the police.

If they had apologised as well as giving you their number then I would call, but not in this situation.

Karwomannghia · 14/04/2021 16:34

From what you’ve said I would lock down your settings and leave it to the police. They sound like they could be quite confrontational.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 14/04/2021 16:34

They have committed a criminal offence so don’t contact them. Tell the police. So fed up of people being attacked my dogs.

Iheartmysmart · 14/04/2021 16:40

Just pass their details on to the police. As far as I’m concerned a decent dog owner wouldn’t have their dog off lead in a play area anyway so they are hardly likely to be reasonable about this. I wish it was law for people to have third party insurance for their dogs. It might focus the minds of irresponsible owners who give good owners a bad name. I have a dog by the way and am in no way a dog hater however I loathe bad dog owners.

Wolfiefan · 14/04/2021 16:41

Jeez OP that’s awful. What kind of idiot let’s children take a bloody big dog to a kids’ play park.
Hope it all heals well.
Pass details to the police. This is completely unacceptable.
(And yes I’m a dog owner too!)

Tallybo · 14/04/2021 16:43

I agree with others saying just pass it to the police and don't engage. Sounds like someone else saw if they posted about it, and I'd maybe if you feel comfortable message whoever posted about it and say you wish to remain discreet but would they mind liaising with police if necessary?

WombatChocolate · 14/04/2021 16:44

Even if they had apologised by text/Facebook, making contact with them would be unwise now you’ve contacted the Police.

Try not to get involved in anything on Facebook or other social media either and keep a low profile about what’s happened rather than discussing it with vast swathes if people.

Presumably these are local people. Just go through the proper channels.

You don’t need to discuss with them what happened or why. You were there and saw what happened and there are procedures for this.

The owners were not there themselves but had left the dog with children. They will have to wait for the process and to hear that way about what happened and how your child is. The end result is out of your hands and you will have to leave it to the legal process. It might be that you d trike or agree with the end result, it ll you can do is let it take it’s course.

When you speak to the Police again, be very clear how terrifying it was and that you want it pursued (assuming you do)

waitingforthenextseason · 14/04/2021 16:51

@Frymetothemoon

I'd stay out of it and just pass on their contact details to the police. So sorry about your DC. I hope he isn't too shaken up
This.

Insist the police deal with them and ensure the dog has had all his required vaccinations, etc.

I hope your son is ok.

Aprilinspringtimeshower · 14/04/2021 16:53

Did you take your child to a and e to have it cleaned properly?

And do not contact owners...it could compromise police’s investigation. Pass over to the police immediately . Push them to take action now

RonSwansonsChair · 14/04/2021 16:58

I've a bit of a fear of dogs, I never really thought about where it came from before but this thread has sparked a memory.
I remember as a small child I was cycling my bike when a dog chased me, caught up with me and bit me on the thigh. He was a big dog, but can't remember what exactly. I wasn't too badly hurt, more just bruised. But dogs definitely scare me now 40+ years later.

notapizzaeater · 14/04/2021 16:59

I'd ignore the message tbh. If they where bothered enough to track you down they should be apologising rather than asking you to ring them.

poppycat10 · 14/04/2021 17:02

@Wearywithteens

If you ring them they’ll say ‘he was just being friendly’ - seems to be the mantra of mindless irresponsible dog owners. Just go to the police with their number.
Totally this.
Billben · 14/04/2021 17:02

I wouldn’t get into a discussion with them either. I’d just pass on their name and number to the police. If your DC’s incident wasn’t the first one, I don’t think they are the type of people you’d want to be dealing with yourself personally. They need stopping and hopefully the police will do that.

Bluntness100 · 14/04/2021 17:03

Op if you’re a dog owner then you know rhe potential outcome is the dog will be killed. They will possibly put the dog to sleep for attacking a child, that’s why the owner wishes to blame your son. I’d not engage but I would assume they wish to try to make it not the dogs fault. It’s understandable if unpleasant. Few people can cope with the thought of their dog being put to sleep.

QuarantineQueen · 14/04/2021 17:06

This happened to us last year, except DH picked DD up and he got bitten instead. It wasn't as bad as your DS's bites sound and the GP insisted he to to A&E, have it properly washed and dressed. He also had to have a tetanus jab and prophylactic antibiotics. If your GP didn't do all this please take DS to A&E or minor injuries before it turns nasty. Prevention is so important.

pepsicolagirl · 14/04/2021 17:07
  1. Make sure you have RL contact details for the witness and ask them to please write a statement while it is fresh in their mind.
  1. Definitely contact the police and allow them to deal. I hate to see any animal destroyed but they need to know and there needs to be a record.
  1. I am so sorry this happened to you. Allowing children to walk any dog is ill advised but a large breed which has previous? madness!
  1. Take your child to a doctor so their wounds can be seen to. Dog bites can get very nasty very quickly

I LOVE dogs. I prefer dogs to most people. I think that having a dog in a children play area is quite obviously a bloody awful idea which is why you don't allow kids to be in charge of making that decision!