Anyone have experience of reporting a dog attack to the Police [sad]

[HyacinthsBucket70]

My dog was badly attacked last weekend by another dog in our village. This was its 3rd time. The 1st I didn't report, but was annoyed that the owners didn't react. 2nd time I did report as I had my grandchildren with me and it was terrifying. Last weekend, we were walking off our dog when it tore through a NDNs hedge (they were visiting friends) and it savagely attacked mine. It took 4 adults to get the attacking dog off mine and I can still hear mine screaming, words can't describe how horrendous it was. We darted our dog straight to the OOH vet, where he was given painkillers and treated for the marks on his legs and paws (DH managed to get our dog in his arms but the other dog was biting his legs to pull him down). The dog has had stress colitis as a result and had to go back to the vet today with a large haemotoma on his chest that had to be drained.... and he's probably going to need surgery Monday to remove the hardened parts of it.
I'm so far beyond fuming, the dog owner actually HID in the NDN's garden and let the NDNs deal with it. We reported to Police and were given a crime number from our county HQ and told it would go to the local officers but it's been a week now and we've heard nothing.
2 other dog owners in the village have reported the same dog for it attacking their dogs, and apparently the owner was warned about keeping the dog under control ..... like hell he cares.
Does anyone else have experience/share some words of wisdom. I've hardly slept since as I'm so stressed, and I'm having to drive miles in the car everyday to walk my dog as I'm too scared of meeting this horrid dog and its owner again.

Can you sue the honours to recover the cost of vet bills?

I know it isn't enough but maybe hitting them in their pocket might make them a bit keener to control this dog. At the moment there are no consequences for them are there?

If you look at the Magistrates' sentencing guidelines here you will see that the fact that the owner has previously been warned about the dog indicates higher culpability on the part of the owner, and the injury to another animal indicates greater harm.

This means that the law regards such an offence as serious enough for a potential prison sentence in extreme cases. There is also potential for a destruction order for the dog.

This does not of course mean that the police/CPS will pursue it, depending on the exact circumstances, but it does justify your sense that this is a very serious situation.

Disclaimer - I am not legally trained, just interested in the law and how it affects the public!

My phone is a Samsung S6 - the screen just flashes in purple lights, and a data cable won't read anything. It's going off for repair but I've asked them first to download the last week of photos before they wipe it, if they can. Typical of all weeks for it to pack up. I'd backed up WhatsApp but not my entire gallery.

Lots of lessons learned this week - and the poor dogs chest has swelled back up again so the haematoma is still bleeding. I've got to ring first thing and book him in so that they can operate and drain it properly. I think that's what is making me so angry.

DH is fairly insistent that we go to our local Police station tomorrow and kick up a bit of a fuss. I'm really not sure....... but I will try phoning the council and finding out about the dog warden. That sounds a better possibility after reading this. You've all been amazing, thank you

I’m with your dh on this, that dog is dangerous.

Hope you manage to get the photos off x

Im so so sorry to hear what happened to your poor dog.
A fortnight ago I had a similar experience, my dog on lead, 3 off lead mastiffs came charging at us. I picked my terrier up and by some freak stroke of luck managed to stop her getting bitten but it was the scariest experience of my life. Useless irresponsible dick head of an owner who blamed me for what had happened 😡.
I'm terrified we'll bump into them again, we live in a small village and they live close to us. Walks are not enjoyable anymore because I'm so worried. The dog warden wasn't interested in my case. No advice I'm afraid but just wanted to send love to you and your dog.

Your case should be stronger as you were hurt in the attack. Follow up with the police and report to the dog warden.

The owner is a complete dick.

Do write to your MP if you haven't already. They can help with this sort of thing.

Agree with everything said about the injury you received. You need to keep on emphasizing that and the very real fact that you are now fearful - for your own safety - of taking your dog out.

How is your dog today?

I know all dogs are different but would just add I've known about a few dogs that have suffered quite bad attacked, one a very small yorkie attacked by a very large dog and almost killed, and all of them have managed to overcome any fears once they have healed physically. Hope you're dog is the same.

A lot of misinformation given on this thread

Speak to CAB and get correct legal advice. It does not matter if the attack was on private land for example.

You were injured so the dangerous dogs act can be used. Dog on dog attacks are not illegal (unless an assistance dogs and even then the law is a bit iffy)

Muzzles cause massive injuries , broken bones etc so muzzling an aggressive dog is not the answer

An dog to dog aggressive dog does not automatically mean it will attach a child.

Keep a record of all vets bills and behaviourist bills and comments.

In 2017 there were 1,700 dog on dog attacks reported to the police.

If there is a dog on dog attack many owners can be prosecuted under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and this can mean the dog has a police order for immediate remedial actions or certain restrictions or professional training program, replacing fencing in at home etc. Police may need to be prompted of this action so a letter from CAB will help a lot.

It is also worth

sorry for my appalling typing

obviously attach means attack.

I hope the other typos make sense

Even if you can't get the owner via the dangerous dog act you can still get them via the anti social act if enough reports are received.
He could be served with a community protection notice.

This is what happened to the woman on my adjacent street who can't control her dogs.

She has three mastiff type dogs and a boxer.
I had three incidents involving her dogs. Each time mine were on the lead.
First one was minor so I let it go.
Second time, I was walking in to the park. Her dog ran across the field not responding to recall and attacked my dogs. The person she was with had to boot the dog and hit its head with a torch (it was early winter morning) for about two minutes before it backed off.

She wasn't apologetic and walked off without asking if my dogs were ok.

I reported her but since there were no witnesses or evidence she lied and denied all allegations.

The third time it happened I was on my phone. Again, her dog ran over and attacked.

My phone captured the event and I reported her.

She was also reported by another dog owner a few months before after her dog savagely attacked another dog.

Because of the number of people reported her, she was served a community protection notice. Any more from her she could be fined and prosecuted or both.

So it's worth reporting and persevering. The cops initially tried to fob me off saying oh that's what dog do. Bloody idiots. It wasn't until I mentioned somebody else reported her and that she was warned that they took it seriously.

I phoned our local Police station today - apparently they've assigned a crime number but it's not been assigned as a case to an officer yet. She was phoning me back but I've heard nothing......

We're also annoyingly within a no-mans land between area dog wardens. Both have said to contact the other and the Police so that's been disappointing too. I've got one more council to try.

On a better note, my lovely boy went back to the vet today - they drained the remaining fluid in the blood clot, and are happy that the rest of it is now more solid. The biggest risk is infection so as it is from a bite, he's got 14 days of antibiotics and then take him back. Hopefully his body will slowly absorb it, though there's a chance some of it will remain and just harden into a type of cyst. He was a little star letting them do it all without sedating him, and I felt a very proud dog mummy . He's a beautiful little boy that really didn't deserve any of this.

How is your dog doing Hyacinth?

He's better, thank you. Still has a hard lump on his chest but vet is happy that it's no longer an issue.

The Police visited the attacking dogs owners, was fed a complete story of bull and have decided there is no reason to prosecute. They've only spoken briefly to me by phone, not even taken a statement. To say I'm angry is an understatement.

Your poor dog Hyacinth. My wee dog got attacked by a dog similarly about a year ago and I felt so upset and shaken that I hadn't protected him or reacted quick enough. But after some difficult weeks recovering and only walking short walks close to house, mine is fine around other dogs now but a bit barks now with new people when he is with me. The shock does fade and dogs are so resilient give it time and be gentle with yourself. A year on you'd never know mine had been attacked and likewise no police action taken even though other people told me the dog was known for attacking

I take it the relationship with the NDN is not the best?
What do they have to say about it?

NDNs have been very kind in fairness, and came over several times to check our dog was OK. They insisted we report it as they felt their friends were oblivious to the harm that their dog was capable of. They both admitted to feeling very shaken up by it, and had never seen a dog behave like it before. I have asked them to let us know if the dog is ever there again though so we can avoid going out.

I would suggest a meeting with your dog warden. Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act, they can issue a Community Protection Warning, which can then lead to a Community Protection Notice (which if breached will lead to a fine or prosecution). The 3 conditions for a CPN are 1. Behaviour is unacceptable 2. Behaviour is ongoing and persistent (ie happened more than once) and 3. Affects the local community.
Several attacks by the same dog will satisfy all 3 conditions.

The Warning will advise them that it is their best interest to ensure their dog cannot escape and attack other dogs, and can suggest any number of steps ie muzzle the dog and keep on lead in public, neutered (if applicable), seek advice from a behaviourist, ensure the property is secure.
If a further incident happens, then the Community Protection Notice can be issued instructing them to do the steps above. Breach of this (ie dog not wearing a muzzle, escaping from property) is a criminal offence.

You can also take your own action under the Dogs Act 1871, a civil court claim for a dangerous or out of control dog. This can be made either by a member of public or the police and the dog does not need to have injured a person. If guilty, the court will impose certain conditions (as above) or even destroyed. A chat with a no win/no fee company may help you with this.

If you do not get anywhere with the police complaint, I would look up who is the Dog Liaison Officer for your area and contact them.

Update: the Police are now going to try for a prosecution as a civil case. They've said that's the best way of trying to get a behavioural order on the dog/owners. We don't have a local dog warden sadly, but there is a local force dog liason officer that our local PC has been taking advice from. I've agreed that I'm happy to go to court. Fingers crossed.

Good!!

Does you DDog have insurance? If so, the company might be interested in reclaiming their costs from the other dog’s owner.

If no insurance, I’d pursue the owners for the vet bills via small claims court. Easy and cheap. You have witnesses, crime number and vet notes.

Sometimes hitting them in the pocket is the only way they’ll take notice.