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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU re dog attacking mine?

26 replies

Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 07:26

Regular but N/C for this.

Earlier this week, my dog was attacked by a neighbour's dog - my dog was on the lead, her's was not.

My dog needed vet treatment.

That evening, my DH went to neighbour's house with the bill. Neighbour refused to pay, saying the incident was my fault because his dog "didn't like" mine. He and his wife were thoroughly unpleasant and kept banging on about they had lived in our streets for 40 years with no trouble. They also refused to keep dog on lead in future.

Dh came back and I went round to try and reason with the dog owners - no joy. They eventually called the police to have me removed from their house!

By this time, I was in floods of tears and they kept telling me I was "wrong in the head" etc.

A rather bemused PC appeared and instructed the neighbours to contribute to the vet bill - they agreed to pay half, which I accepted.

Before PC arrived, the male neighbour came to me and lifted his hand to me - he was being very aggressive by this point and I honestly didn't know whether he was just gesturing of if he was threatening me. Later, I told the PC about this and he went back to have a word with the guy.

The PC also spoke to the pair about keeping dog on lead.

Luckily, my dog has recovered.

AIBU to think this couple were completely out of order? Am dreading bumping into them...

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 05/02/2015 07:29

Of course they were out of order. I hope you get your money.

I would sue them or at least call my house insurances legal department for a chat.

I don't think going round and crying all over them was sensible though.

Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 07:37

Yes, going round and crying was a big mistake! I don't think I would have got my money back if I hadn't, though.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 05/02/2015 07:45

Really? You haven't had your money back yet have you? I would have though going all legal on their ass would be more effective than crying Grin

You still might need to sue them or pursue them through small claims. I would anyway as id want all the money back

Suzietastic · 05/02/2015 07:50

I would also contact the dog warden (assuming this doesn't happen automatically via the police) they keep a record of incidents like this.

whothehellknows · 05/02/2015 07:57

I think rather than go over, you should have called the police on 101 to report it.

The UK law on controlling your dog in public is here and it seems quite clear that the other dog was dangerously out of control.

They should be paying ALL of the vet's bill and not just half. His dog isn't allowed to just decide it doesn't like yours and bite it, he has to be in control of it at all times.

Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 07:57

Laurie - unfortunately, going to court etc would cost more than the bill.

I'm going to contact dog warden.

No, crying etc was not my greatest decision.

OP posts:
EdSheeran · 05/02/2015 08:09

YANBU at all.

I'm glad your dog is ok. Judging by their reactions, I wouldn't be surprised if they were aware that their dog is not a happy chappy towards other dogs.

I'd pursue them through the courts out of principle but I'm a stubborn bugger.

DustyBedhead · 05/02/2015 08:18

Like others have said, definitely contact the Dog Warden. I've had dealings with them in the past and they were very helpful.

Whippet81 · 05/02/2015 08:19

Not sure why the PC was rather bemused - I doubt he will be when the dog decides it doesn't like the look of a small child.

Is your dog insured? A lot of insurances give out free legal advice. Def contact the dog warden so it is logged. You might just have to take half the money but I would contact the dog warden every single time you see that dog without a lead. I'm a massive dog lover but I have no time for people who do not control theirs especially if they are dangerous - it could kill your DDog next time.

ohtheholidays · 05/02/2015 08:20

I'm not surprised you cried.It's horrendous if your poor pet gets attacked.Your neighbors sound unhinged.Make sure they pay you back and make sure you've made a formal complaint about them having a dog of lead that is obviously dangerous.

God forbid if they don't learn they're lesson now next time it could be someones child they're dog takes a dislike to.

SweetValentine · 05/02/2015 08:31

They're lucky you agreed to halve the bill. They're awful with no understanding of canine behaviour, good luck with the dig warden - i hope they help somehow.

Hope your dog feels better too.

HeffalumpsnWoozles · 05/02/2015 08:34

YADNBU My dog was attacked by a dog off the lead, the owners teenage daughter had taken it for a walk & it clamped its jaws round my dogs neck and if it wasn't for a passing cyclist pressing his bicycle tyre on the staffs neck it wouldn't have let go! My dog had 8 deep puncture wounds & tears(thankfully the dog didn't shake her like a rag doll) which all needed cleaning and stitching.

The owner was very upset when I called him & immediately said he would cover all vets bills. He came to our house & actually cried when he saw the wounds my dog had suffered.

IMO it is the owners responsibility if their dog is off the lead, if it was your neighbours dog would never have been able to attack yours so how they can say it was your dogs fault for not liking his is beyond me??

Glad they called the police, at least he realises he should pay up & hopefully be more careful in future! I hope your dog is alright, I cried too after I stopped screaming like a banshee for someone to do something Angry

Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 08:44

Good tip re advice from insurers.

It was they who called the police, to have me ejected from their house!

I agree - it could have been a child.

OP posts:
Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 08:47

Sorry about your dog, Heffa - that's awful :( ThanksThanksThanks

OP posts:
BMW6 · 05/02/2015 08:54

My dog has been attacked 3 times by the same dog - mine always on lead, the other dog not. The last time (2 years ago now) I was bitten by the other dog while trying to protect mine. The owner just walked off, but I was told where they lived by children who saw the attack.
After I came back from the Minor Injuries Unit (dressed bite and tetanus shot) I rang 101 and police were immediatly round for statement/photo of bite.

Police visited owner and read riot act. I have seen dog since, and is now always on lead. Result.

If you see neighbours dog off lead again ring 101 - that's what police asked me to do.

UncleT · 05/02/2015 09:00

Half the bill my arse - see a solicitor and demand all of it, then when they don't pay, go to court. They can pay your costs too.

FisherQueen · 05/02/2015 09:01

Call the dog warden, consult your insurance, give Trevor Cooper from Doglaw a call and go through small claims court. Do you have any witnesses? We did all of that when our dog was attacked (£1500 bill) and we got the bill paid. The police will be unhelpful tbh as they don't want to get involved in dog to dog cases. Unless a human is bitten the dangerous dogs act is not normally applied and the legislation that covers it is the Dogs Act 1871. You can argue for a section 3 (dangerously out of control) but the likelihood of getting someone to take you seriously with the police is slim.

And please everyone stop with the hysterical it could be a child next. Dog aggression and Human aggression are two very different things with different behaviours and motivations (source have MSc, currently working on PhD on animal behaviour specialising in fear and aggression in dogs and work as an animal behaviourist).

Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 10:52

Thanks, Fisher - v useful suggestions.

Sadly, no witnesses. I suppose the vet could provide a report.

Will look up Doglaw - hadn't heard of them before.

OP posts:
Aherdofmims · 05/02/2015 11:39

Dog warden might be a help I agree.

Glad the PC was helpful.

RSPCA might also help you as they could have a word and explain to the neighbours that they could be guilty of an offence if your dog (or another animal) suffers through a preventable attack from theirs.

I'm not sure it is wrong to say it could be a child next. Although dog aggression and human aggression are different (a trained pitbull for instance can be very docile with humans but may attack another dog) there is evidence that they don't see children/babies as humans but as other animals.

Dogs Act 1871 - deals with control orders (civil remedy)

Dangerous Dogs Act- deals with a criminal offences - this is the one that the police sometime prosecute under.

Animal Welfare Act 2006 - RPSCA use this. Could come in if they cause unnecessary suffering to your dog but allowing theirs to attack it.

Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 11:45

Yes, I was thinking about the Animal Welfare act. I have looked up the Dangerous Dogs Act - basically, any one who allows their dog to harm other people or animals, or even threaten to harm, is breaking the law.

OP posts:
Aherdofmims · 05/02/2015 14:05

I wondered if someone from the RSPCA might at least come and talk to them about this (they probably wouldn't prosecute over this one incident because there may not be proof your dog suffered, and they don't tend to rush in to prosecute without warnings).

The animal welfare act would come in if:

  1. your dog had suffered as a result of an injury from their dog (think being in pain etc)
  2. the suffering was unnecessary i.e. could have been prevented.
  3. the neighbours were at fault by not keeping their dog under control, when a reasonable person would have realised this might cause injury to another dog.

So it would be about the neighbours causing suffering to your dog by not keeping theirs under control.

TheChandler · 05/02/2015 14:09

A police officer doesn't have the power to enforce a payment order, although its a sensible solution.

You are obviously in the right, but you shouldn't have stayed in their home when you were making them feel uncomfortable and refuse to leave. I'm not surprised they called the police - are you crazy or something? You could have issued a small claim through the courts.

charlestonchaplin · 05/02/2015 14:17

By agreeing to pay half the vet's bill it would seem to me that they have accepted at least partial responsibility. The PC or at least the police report should be witness to that. They would have to come up with a convincing story as to why they are only partly responsible.

Original poster
Doggygirl · 05/02/2015 17:24

The Chandler - yes, I am crazy!

I know I shouldn't have stayed in their house - I was upset and not behaving rationally.

OP posts:
maninawomansworld · 05/02/2015 18:12

my dog was on the lead, her's was not.

That is the long and short of it there.... her dog was dangerously out of control and yours was restrained on a lead.

I wouldn't have accepted half to be honest, I would have wanted it all paid.