My poor dog...

[abbey44]

I don't know what I want here, a hand-hold or a place to vent...

This morning, as I do every day, I let my dog outside and went to make a coffee. Within about a minute there was a massive commotion at the gate and she ran inside, yelping, with a large chunk of her ear missing. Next door's dog, who has form for having a go at her through the gate, had ripped her ear off - I found it on the ground by the gate. Obviously, I took her to the vet straightaway, but they couldn't reattach it, they just had to tidy up what was left. She's had the operation and is now at home, heavily sedated and bandaged up.

Neighbour is pretty unconcerned about it - their dog "wouldn't hurt a fly" and what do I expect them to do about it? Meanwhile, I have a traumatised dog with one ear missing, and a four-figure vet bill. I've had a whole bag of Twirl Bites and (purely medicinal) wine, and I still can't believe what's happened.

What should I do...? I'm completely at a loss here...

Contact the police and explain what happened and that another neighbour has told you that their child has also been attacked by the same dog. Let the police investigate and then pass the information to whichever solicitor you go with.

Definitely sue the neighbour for the vets bill and the distress that your family has suffered from this dreadful experience.

The neighbour is clearly an idiotic dog owner who needs to understand that they are financially responsible for any damage that their dog causes.

Thank you all again.

We've been to the vet again this morning for a dressing change and I've seen her ear for the first time. I was expecting the worst, as they'd prepared me for it, but actually, it's not quite as bad as I wasn't thinking. Still not her beautiful floppy ear, of course, but they've made a very neat job of it and she still does have a bit of ear flap to shake. It hasn't quite dried up enough yet to take the head bandage off, so she's all trussed up again in another bright pink hat. She was very good at the vet's and didn't make a fuss at all.

I've had a call back from the police and apparently dog on dog is a civil matter, not criminal, but I'd called them before I knew about the other incident, so I'll ask if that changes anything. Thanks for the suggestion of the Dog Warden - that's a good idea.

She's being a big mummy's girl at the moment, which isn't surprising, i guess. I think this has knocked a big dent in her confidences, and I imagine I'm going to have to go carefully to introduce her back to other dogs once she's able to go out and about.

Oh bless her. Hope it heals well. Shame the police were so unhelpful. Dogs out of control is against the law.

Glad to hear she's on the mend.

I've known a couple of dogs that were very badly hurt in attacks by other dogs and both of them seemed to bounce back quite quickly as far as confidence goes once they were physically healed, with no lasting emotional scars.

Hope your girl is the same.

'Dog dangerously out of control' is a criminal matter. Doesn't matter if it was a dog or a human.
Currently arguing with my police force who are trying to palm off dog on dog attacks

If you are looking at a 4 figure bill, I would look to start proceedings under Section 2 of the Dogs Act 1871. Or a small claims court.

A good dog law solicitor would be able to advise on whether you have a good case - the only sticking point could be you didn't witness the attack and therefore how can you prove that the injury was a result of their dog attacking?

So sorry your poor Saffy was attacked like this . She must have been attacked with some force to take a large part of her earlobe .
I adopted a rescue dog who had been mutilated like this - both earlobes - he does fine in cold or hot weather . ( pic below) Do hope you get some satisfaction from the s . They sound awful people so you might have a fight on your hands . Did anyone at all witness this ? Might be worth putting discreet feelers out as I think they sound the type to deny it .

Poor thing, that's awful, I hope she feels better soon. And your neighbours get dealt with!

Today's update...she's had the bandages taken off now as the vet is happy that it's looking ok. Well, ok from a vet's point of view anyway. The stitches are healing well, and though she has to keep the lampshade on for another week or so, we should be able to go out and walk off the lead again after that. Saffy seems much happier without the bandages too. You can see from the photos how much ear she's lost - it used to touch the tip of her nose...

Thanks for all your kind comments and words of advice - they've been much appreciated. I'm still beyond upset at what's happened to her, but very thankful that she's going to be ok. It could have been so much worse.

She’s still gorgeous. And I’m glad she’s recovering.

That was one hell of a bite. Poor dog and poor you.

PS she is not going to care about her ear once it has healed. Dogs don't worry about stuff like that.

I know they don't, and that's something. And, as the vet said, it's probably just as well she had such lavish ears, as if she hadn't it doesn't bear thinking about what bastard dog might have grabbed hold of.

And thank you Wolfie, I think she is too, but I am just a little biased

Bless you. She is absolutely beautiful. Take this all the way, OP. My own little dog was killed by a neighbour's dog on my 18th birthday (quite some time ago now) my neighbour was an arsehole. But because apparently, our little pooch had popped her head through a hole in the fence we hadn't realised was there, their dog assumed it was a rabbit and went for it.
I still can't stand the buggers now. The bloke is very elderly, but in his younger years was an utter pig headed wanker.
They were never sorry. They never gave a shit.

Poor baby 😢

Not that it will help her at this stage, but I’d definitely report it to the police & see a solicitor.

Their dog needs to go to a behaviourist and get some proper training, then be rehome to someone who can keep other dogs and people safe.

Let us know how she goes & how you get on 🍷🌷

Oh @HoneyandSpice, what an awful thing to happen
Saffy is indeed a beauty.

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Oh God @HoneyandSpice that's truly awful . Your poor dog, and you too

I have reported it to the police, and am trying to find a solicitor who will deal with this sort of case, not as easy as I'd thought. The neighbour is still walking his dogs past my house off lead, so I'm really uncomfortable about letting mine out in the garden on her own. Even with the modified gate.

Thank you @Crunched and @abbey44
But fingers crossed for a good outcome for you, OP. So sad that she doesn't have both of her beautiful ears anymore, but she sounds like a wonderful soul. Her story has touched me. And I know from experience how much extra love from others she will get. Our last dog had her leg amputated and the whole world loved her. She was an absolute warrior!

That was a really nasty bite, poor girl, but she still looks beautiful with her shortened ear.

Definitely speak to the Dog Warden. The owners need a serious warning.

Re solicitors, ask your vet or insurance company if they could suggest anyone. If not perhaps try asking The Dog's Trust or NFU perhaps?