Dog attacked and mauled, vet bill paid, but what next?

[Hullygully]

About three weeks ago my dog was set on by an Akita that had slipped its lead and a Rottweiler, that was on a lead, but managed to get to my dog while the owner was pulling the Akita off.

My dog had four puncture wounds and needed staples, antibiotics and painkillers.

The man was apologetic and offered to pay the vet bill, I screamed at him that the dogs should be securely on leads and be muzzled, got his number, but didn't manage to save it on my phone.

My dog was extremely traumatised for a week or so (we had to cancel a holiday), but is ok now, just responds more aggressively to any aggression shown.

I went to the police because I wanted the man to take it seriously and muzzle the dogs. A very nice policeman went to see him (I had found out where he lived), and then came to see me. He told the man the dogs had to be controlled.

I put a copy of the vet bill through his door, plus a letter asking him to PLEASE take it seriously and harness and muzzle the dogs. He turned up on my doorstep and gave me cash, and said he was sorry and loved dogs. I said, you are going to muzzle them, aren't you? And he said the police had said it wasn't necessary, and that he had a more secure collar...He also said the dog had attacked two other dogs before.

I was so stunned I just said, well, I think you are being very irresponsible etc.

He left. Now I want to go and put the money back through his door as it feels like he thinks he's bought his way out of his responsibility.

What can I/ should I do?

I am so enraged.

No, keep the money, he should be paying the vet's bill anyway.

You're right, he has been irresponsible, but now the police have spoken to him, and they and he are aware of everything he ought to be doing, I think that's all that can be done.

Just praying that if there's a next time it's not a person/ child ...

I might put this in aibu too.

It feels like blood money.

And sorry, meant to say that it is SO traumatic, i know, because it's happened to our eldest dog (dd1?!) and it took a long time for her and me to relax on walks.

Is the holiday lost, or can you book another?

I agree with What.

But I would also go back to the policeman you have spoken to and tell him this man has told you his dogs have attacked two other dogs and that he has no intention of using a muzzle.

The policeman may not be aware of this info and may want to have another word with the dog owner?

Lost.

I don't care about it, or the money, I just want that stupid arse man to muzzle his dogs when he KNOWS they are dangerous.

I will, QLB

Could you phone the councils dog warden? My friends dog was attacked by Akitas and the police didn't do much. The dog warden went outand said if the dogs weren't muzzled on walks they would be fined.

yes, I will try dog warden. The police said they would get in tpouch with him. I think a reminder letter is in order.

I would get in touch with Dog Law who are a specialist legal firm dealing with canine law issues. You may find that either your pet insurance or your home insurance provides some cover for legal fees in this sort of instance. Even if you are not able to force a prosecution, there may be scope for civil action.

Dog warden should take this on (if you have a good one!). Dog wardens should have a history on each case and will first suggest action and then enforce it - which in this case would be wearing a muzzle.

Legally there is nothing you can do unfortunately. It is impossible to take dog on dog attacks to court and as he has paid you that is seen to be enough.

thanks all.

I shall write to the police.

hope you're ok. the adrenaline and shock is absolutely horrible. my dog was attacked by a dog tied up in a busy walkway outside a shop as we walked past once. totally out of the blue and unprovoked - four puncture wounds and a sore eye - she was bleeding all over the pavement and so shook up poor thing.

i screamed at the woman who came out and said it was her dog, she told me it tended to be aggressive and i ended up shouting at her about how stupid she was to leave a known to be aggressive dog tied up, without a muzzle outside a shop on a busy path at after school time.

her son who was about 9 said it was his fault because he was supposed to be watching the dog and i told him it wasn't his fault because you'd have to be an idiot to leave a vicious dog tied up in a busy place with a child to supervise it and there was no way he should blame himself when it's YOUR (said to the woman) fault isn't it??? and made her tell her son it was her fault not his. big scene, adrenaline pumping and crying over my poor young dog who was bleeding everywhere. asked her what vet she went to and took the dog there and charged the treatment and a follow up check up for a week later to her bill (told her that i would and she had rang ahead to the vet).

it was awful, i'm usually a lot more controlled than that and was really taken aback by how angry and upset i was seeing my lovely dog attacked and it being due to the stupidity of an irresponsible woman who knew her dog was aggressive to other dogs and should have had him muzzled all the time and not left him tied up like that.

i sincerely hope she would never do that again and is using the muzzle now - i tore strips off of her.

given what he's said about no need to muzzle i'd go back to the police and tell them what has been said about previous attacks and still not muzzling. what an idiot. sorry for long post but wanted to say i know how awful it is. my dog fortunately recovered quickly and her temperament has not changed, she's friendly with other dogs and respectful and cautious when approaching them but very open to play just as she always was.

(also remember the stupidity of the woman saying he'd never hurt a person - i was like oh right so if a toddler had come between him and my dog at the moment he lunged at it you don't think he'd have been hurt? twat)