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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Daughter attacked by dog what happens next?

61 replies

JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:19

I've name changed/altered a few details because its identifying

DD (teen) was attacked by an unaccompanied large dog on a main road. It managed to drag her to the floor. She had to be helped by members of the public to get the animal off her, she did do a good job of defending herself though, by kicking out and although clothing/shoes are ripped/ have teeth marks and some other property is damaged, the only physical injury is thankfully very small. Police are involved as dog also tried to attack others and from what we were told, several police officers struggled to contain the animal.

Police were excellent and took a statement, we have a crime number etc. DD is generally OK obviously shaken up. We were told we would hear from the police going forward, but I guess my question is what happens next? If this had been a smaller child, or circumstances were different, the outcome could have been horrific.

We dont know if the dog is owned or a general stray (seems unlikely).

OP posts:
UnpackThisMess · 01/01/2023 16:21

Assuming there is an owner I'd encourage her to sue and she may want to include cost of counselling etc. I imagine the dog will be destroyed and suitable criminal charges will be brought if there is an owner and your daughter wishes to pursue charges. What breed was it out of interest ?

ShakespearesBlister · 01/01/2023 16:22

Was the dog seized?

Newwardrobe · 01/01/2023 16:22

I guess they'll try and find the owner and fine them .

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:22

Yes, dog was seized and put in a police van. The breed seems to be an alsation type dog we think

OP posts:
StupidStupidStupidStupidStupid · 01/01/2023 16:25

The dog could be destroyed, the owner may be fined and imprisoned

www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

Fleurdaisy · 01/01/2023 16:25

Omg that sounds horrific. I’m a dog owner and confident around dogs but that’s truly terrifying.
Did the police give you a card with a contact on it? Or a crime/incident number? Either of those would be a way of finding out if there is any progress.
As you probably know the dog is supposed to be chipped and registered and have an id disc in a collar….. but sounds like none of that might be in place.
You could speak to an injury lawyer re suing the owner but again, the chances are small.
so glad your dd is relatively ok.

Hellocatshome · 01/01/2023 16:25

They will try to locate the owner but be warned even if it is chipped with owners details they may just claim they have recently sold it to some random unnamed person in order to avoid any charges or compensation claims.

ShakespearesBlister · 01/01/2023 16:28

Ok, I think a lot will depend on if there is an owner and how they respond to what happened. A lot of people are in denial at the behaviour of their dogs and will instantly say it's never done this before, you then discover it has bitten before. When I was bitten the dog the owner panicked when I reported it and got rid of the dog. It vanished for about 6 months before it bit me and had only just returned so I suspect something had happened before and they sent the dog away for a while. After it bit me it was never seen again in the area.

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:28

Thank you-I am less concerned about any financial reimbursement-its only things that can be replaced-will have to see how DD is after it has sunk in-more the safety aspect as I can't stop thinking what could have happened and that this could be very much a warning of what the dog is capable of. We have the card thing and I am sure the police will follow up as they really were excellent-I am more concerned the dog is returned and the same thing happens again, but worse

OP posts:
Bigdamnheroes · 01/01/2023 16:29

For a serious attack like that the dog will more than likely be put to sleep. The owner will be fined and may get a custodial sentence depending on whether this was a first offence or if the dog is known to be aggressive or under any court order.

ShakespearesBlister · 01/01/2023 16:32

The owner if there is one may have to obey certain conditions if they want to keep the dog. Or they may surrender it in which case it will be assessed and most likely humanely destroyed. The greatest tragedy is it is almost always an owner issue.

namechangeforthisoneeee · 01/01/2023 16:33

I always find it crazy that dogs can be put to sleep but we don't have the death penalty for humans who do worse. I mean , I agree this doh needs to be off the streets but It does just always make me think when I see things about dogs being "destroyed" .

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:35

To be honest the whole thing is a bit of a blur but when the police came they did mention something about court, so it is being taken seriously. I am obviously sad about the dog if it has to be PTS, we love animals and the tragedy is DD has been asking relentlessly to get a dog-but given what it was able to do to a robust, fit and confident teen, I would honestly be horrified if this was returned to the owner to chance it happening again to someone else, much a worse a small child

OP posts:
Luckyducker · 01/01/2023 16:35

Did the dog bite her?

ThinWomansBrain · 01/01/2023 16:41

you may get a call from victim support - may be able to offer sources of counselling if that would be useful for your daughter.

I had a call once after I'd reported a car crashing in to another outside my window, I've no idea what support they thought I might have needed 🙄
[and no, I am not providing a diagram]

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:41

Yes it did, luckily most of these damaged clothing/shoes.

OP posts:
Chabal · 01/01/2023 16:42

If you haven’t heard from the officer dealing within a week contact them. There’s a six month limitation of proceedings so any offences need to be laid for summons within that timescale. I used to work for the police in the collisions department and the majority of cases had the same limit and sometimes people hadn’t received a letter, waited before chasing anything up or letting us know about an unknown witness but then it was too late to do anything. Keep your eye on the clock. Also police prosecution and personal injury are two completely different things. If there’s a prosecution the magistrates are unlikely to award compensation or if they do it’s generally a nominal amount as compensation is usually done separately. Hopefully the owner is found.

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:42

ThinWomansBrain · 01/01/2023 16:41

you may get a call from victim support - may be able to offer sources of counselling if that would be useful for your daughter.

I had a call once after I'd reported a car crashing in to another outside my window, I've no idea what support they thought I might have needed 🙄
[and no, I am not providing a diagram]

Oh that would definitely be useful for DD so hopefully they do call.

OP posts:
Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:45

Chabal · 01/01/2023 16:42

If you haven’t heard from the officer dealing within a week contact them. There’s a six month limitation of proceedings so any offences need to be laid for summons within that timescale. I used to work for the police in the collisions department and the majority of cases had the same limit and sometimes people hadn’t received a letter, waited before chasing anything up or letting us know about an unknown witness but then it was too late to do anything. Keep your eye on the clock. Also police prosecution and personal injury are two completely different things. If there’s a prosecution the magistrates are unlikely to award compensation or if they do it’s generally a nominal amount as compensation is usually done separately. Hopefully the owner is found.

This is really useful information thank you

The main concern here is stopping it happening again-I dont want to bash the owner or wish harm on the dog but this could have been a lot worse

OP posts:
Liveonmars · 01/01/2023 16:49

When I was bitten by a stray dog and it broke the skin I was advised to get a tetnus jab, not sure if this wound apply to your daughter OP

Notyetacatlady · 01/01/2023 16:50

Don’t bank on anything happening sorry op. It’s very unlikely the owner will be prosecuted and in my experience the dog will just be given back. If it gets to court they may put conditions like the dog must be on lead but no one will check if this happens and the feckless owners won’t care. I speak from experience.

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:51

She is OK on tetanus front-we got 111 advice and she is up to date with vaccs. Injury is very small

OP posts:
Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 16:52

Notyetacatlady · 01/01/2023 16:50

Don’t bank on anything happening sorry op. It’s very unlikely the owner will be prosecuted and in my experience the dog will just be given back. If it gets to court they may put conditions like the dog must be on lead but no one will check if this happens and the feckless owners won’t care. I speak from experience.

I'm sorry to hear you have had this experience. This is my worry.

OP posts:
ortonym · 01/01/2023 17:02

Liveonmars · 01/01/2023 16:49

When I was bitten by a stray dog and it broke the skin I was advised to get a tetnus jab, not sure if this wound apply to your daughter OP

That's the first thing I would've done.

Original poster
JustAnotherUsername2 · 01/01/2023 17:06

ortonym · 01/01/2023 17:02

That's the first thing I would've done.

Show quote history

She is still covered for tetanus from recent vaccs-although I did think she might need this 111 paeds assured me not needed

OP posts:
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