Dog bit someone in my garden

[lovelilies]

Shit. What happens if he reports it?

I wish out dogs laws were more akin to the US I really do.

Just wanted to say though, anecdotally, most dog bites go unreported especially where it is simply a puncture wound as opposed to a chunk taken out.

I do think you need to consider how bad her reaction was, did she stop on command or did you have to drag her off?

for you and for the doggy :)

FFS some people go too far in excusing dangerous dog behaviour. If there was no warning sign the guy wasn't to know he'd be attacked. Dogs bark all the time.

Christ, sons of the replies here are awful.

An unpredictable dog bites a random person, and it's their fault for walking through a gate? WTF?

Dog was barking, gate was closed and the numpty decided it was ok to walk in......sorry but I am with the dog on this one, he is a fool and shouldn't have entered the garden.

^Completely agree

Put a lock on the gate or a closure that can only be opened from your side. It could be argued in court that a sign saying beware of the dog indicates that you know full well your dog bites. With so many dogs getting stolen I would think twice about putting any sign up about a dog at all! I would just make sure that people can't randomly walk in.

You have to give statutory authorities access. Fortress gate solutions are not the way to go. You have a duty to ensure your dog doesn’t bite people who have a right to come to your door. A Policeman for example!

You are aware your dog wasn’t properly under control but you have dealt with the aftermath well but I think a “beware of the dog” notice and a fully fenced back garden, with the dog in it, is best. I think that’s a reasonable response and not that many dogs get stolen!

You do have to give certain access but only by prior arrangement even if that is ringing a bell on a gate and you getting the dog in a crate and letting that person in. No one can walk up to our front door because we have a massive locked gate. A planning enforcement officer from the council climbed over and luckily my two dogs were shut in. The officer did not need access to see what he needed to see, he was just being nosey because he thought we were out. I got compensation from the council for the way he treated me. I asked what would have happened if one or both my dogs had bitten him and I was told it wouldn't go anywhere because he had effectively broken in. It's a fine line I agree but I think a simple solution would be to lock out casual people wandering up to your door providing there is a bell or some way of them letting you know they are there. People do not have the right to get to your front door. It might save your dog's life and a lot of dogs do get stolen. My DH is a cop and he says that the dog is often the target for thefts now. They are sold on or used as flirt/bait for fighting dogs.

Contact www.doglaw.co.uk who specialise in these matters.