Who is responsible?

[IdaMaeMan]

I have a big (very friendly) GSD. I live next to a school and lots of the kids like to lean over and clap him as they pass. He normally doesn’t mind, and likes the attention. He had surgery last week for a growth on his ear and has been feeling a bit sorry for himself, sleeping loads and moping a bit. This morning he was in the garden, lying down resting, and a group of boys, maybe about 12? Called him over to the gate. Next thing I heard one of the boys shouting that ddog had nipped him, I think he boy had put his hand through the gate. There was no blood, but the boy got a fright. I’m worried he will report ddog. Like I said, ddog isn’t feeling 100% and this is so out of character for him. Surely nothing will happen since ddog was on his own garden and this boy put his hand into the garden through the gate..

I'm sorry you are unable this position op. A quick Google of the dog laws brings up this from Blue Cross. The children were not invited in and were not service workers and your dog had no history of aggressive behaviour so you are unlikely to be liable. However it would be strongly advisable to put signs up saying do not pet the dog. I would advise against a beware of the dog sign as this could be seen as admitting your dog is a danger.

"Controlling your dog in your own home or on someone else’s property

Allowing your dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ is now against the law on private property, as well as in public. This means owners can be prosecuted if their dog attacks someone in their home, including in their front and back gardens, or in private property such as a pub.

An exemption is in place if a dog bites someone who has no legal right to be in your home, for example a burglar. You will need to make sure your dog is not a threat to delivery drivers, postal workers, health workers and other professionals who may visit your property.