What to advise owner wrt dog bite.

[GobblersKnob]

Deliberately non inflamatory title, doggy people prefered, frothing beserkers - I am really not in the mood 'kay? Kay.

Ds has been badly bitten by someones dog, he is a walker I am familiar with and have walked with several times, I do think he is a bit crap with his dogs training wise but that is by the by.

When I see him I am usually dc free, but today strike, so both dc's with me, ds asked him if he could stroke the dogs, he said fine, ds just extended a hand for the dogs to sniff, (he is very dog savvy) dog leapt growling at his face and sliced his nose in half down to the bone.

What do I tell him, I feel he need to see a behaviourist and take steps to keep the dog away from children in public, how should I approach this.

I just home from A & E am very shakey, just off to have some tea then will come back.

I'm sorry I didn't fully understand. I hope you are both feeling better today. I second Doglaw as a good place to start for legal advice. Well done for taking photos. Robert Alleyne (dog behaviourist) is very kind and helpful.

Was thinking of you and DS this morning when I was out with my dogs. Came across a couple of reg walkers - who happen to have whippets and grunds and a couple of spaniels too.

how are things today?

Ds is okay this morning thank you for all the well wishes for him, he is obviously uncomfortable though. I? just want to be able to magic it away.

Feeling quite angry this morning now I am thinking straight, have spoken to an extrememely good behaviourist friend of mine for some more advice and have spoken to the police.

What did the police say? When my pup was set upon by an escaped dog, I called the police and they were marvellous. The officer that came around was very kind, and he asked me what I wanted to do. As pup wasn't badly hurt, and neither was I (although bitten), I asked that the owner just get a visit and be reminded that I'd be walking that way every day on the school run and I didn't want a repeat performance. This was done, and in fact the other owner and I had a very civilised chat the next day and he had bought my pup a chew :) Obviously, your DS has been badly injured and that is a much more serious matter, but I imagine that the police will still want your input.

Good on all counts :) Well, not that he's uncomfortable, obviously!

Maybe invest in some of that bio oil stuff for when it's healed?

If you are worried about the facial scar you can ask for Kelo-cote to be prescribed. It's a scar gel and if you apply it for a couple of months after the wound has healed it makes a big difference to the scarring. You may need to insist on it. The NHS is very reluctant to hand it out as it is very expensive.

(My DS got it after surgery to remove a lump on his face and only after I'd showed them my keloid scarring on my back and said I'd feared it was genetic. I really pushed. Six months on and you couldn't tell where on the face the operation took place. It's amazing stuff.)

Ds is amazingly back to his usual self, astonishing.

When I went to walk my dog this afternoon the guy who owns the dog had been sitting waiting in the park for me for an hour hoping to bump into me, he was incredibly apologetic and tearful and will be taking the dog to the vets and then a behaviourist and will be keeping him muzzled in public.

I told him I had contacted the police and he said that was exactly what he would expect and he will co-operate in any way necessary.

So I guess yesterday he must have been in massive shock, the fact that he cares and will be doing the right thing has made me feel better.

Just praying that ds heals well now, that you for the skin recomendations, I have bio oil so I could try that, but will also ask about the prescription stuff.

Glad the owner has reacted better than it appeared yesterday.

You realise you've not name changed for that post though...?

And kids bounce back from injury far better and quicker than adults :)

Yeah, I name changed after a bit of a flounce , suddenly seems very silly, so have reverted to the proper me

I saw this yesterday but didn't post as you had plenty of sensible advice. Although it was a terrible thing to happen I'm so glad the dog owner is behaving responsibly, your son has been very very brave too.

And I think you should be proud of how you have dealt with it. Much better for your son seeing calm and rational when you felt anything but.

So glad your DS is recovering well and nice to see the owner is being responsible. I can well understand he may also have been in shock when the attack took place.

Found this so shocking. Glad u both doing ok.

It sounds positive from the owner of the dog who bit. Lets hope he follows through WTWTW.

slobbery snogs for DS. [smile

Well, welcome back WTWTW - I've been missing you and Mr Whippy.

Hope DS is recovering well, and this is very good news.

glad to hear ds is doing OK, how are you feeling?

Good news that the owner is doing to the right thing.

If my dog did this I would put it down
End of...

Hi Scuttle, Slubber, Jax, thanks again for the well wishes, ds is just deeply disappointed that he can't do usual stuff, he insists he can go swimming and not submerge his nose. Other than that and the mess of his face you would have no idea what he has gone through stoical just does not cover it, I am so proud of him.

I am still very upset obviously, maybe more upset now actually, as everything has been dealt with, too much time too think. I can't help thinking that would have happened it it had been his eye, or if the bite had actually removed the end of his nose (which it very nearly did), as it is it will scar, I am just praying that it won't be too bad.

I was saying to dp that it's odd, if he had done it falling from his bike, out of a tree, off of a climbing frame, then once I knew he was oaky then I wouldn't be anywhere near as upset, I think it's the fact that it was 'done to him' and also the feeling that I have failed him, so much of what I do revolves around dogs and yet my son was bitten in the face whilst standing next to me, how can there have been no warning sign.

Even more stupidly I think I am additionally upset because it was a Whippet, I love all dogs and there isn't a breed or type that I would expect to bite a child, but somehow it still feels wrong.

Really sorry that your son has been though this awful thing. Hope he recovers well.

I do think that unless you are absolutely 100% confident that the owner is going to take this as a wake-up call and make sure of people's safety it would be reasonable to report to dog warden or police.

I'm guessing (no expertise) that they wouldn't rush down the path of taking the guy to court to get the dog destroyed but that they would visit him and put a rocket under him.

Oh sorry, I mised the update. Glad you have had a good response from him.

I do understand how you feel WTWTW.
When DD was nipped, she wasnt bitten, but it was bad enough, through a top, dress and on her tummy. The dog broke her skin, bruised her badly and drew blood.
It was so fast and DH and I were standing talking to the owner at the time and DD, DH and I had ALL been stroking the dog. There was no warning at all.
I know, Ive got GSDs myself, I know their body language. Nothing at all.

All I can say is that over time you learn to 'forgive' yourself, there was nothing that you could have done differently. For me it was a huge feeling of guilt and that I didnt protect my DD. Of course, not that there is anything to forgive. I hope you know what I mean.