Who is at fault? Unleashed dog came upto my son and bit him

[BlueBunny23]

My son was playing in our front garden. The neighbours dog was running loose and came into my garden and upto my son who put his hand out to stroke the dog and it bit him. He has a hole in his hand and we are off to see if we need cleaned / stitches. Who is at fault? My 10 year old son for attempting to stroke the dog that came up to him? The neighbour for letting her dog loose? Tried to talk to her, she slapped her poor dog in the face and said when it bites her kids she puts this antiseptic rub onto them so offered some for my son, so like she knows it bites and still just let me roam the street when there are kids playing

Why are you even asking who’s at fault? Obviously the woman.

Do you know her? I’d probably call the police tbh.

Jesus.
I’d be phoning the police to report a dangerous dog not under control by its owner and making sure they know it’s bitten her kids previously.

The neighbour is 100% in the wrong. What a horrible owner, no wonder that poor dog bites.

I know it’s very hit and miss whether the police act effectively in situations like this but absolutely report the incident on 101 and follow up if you don’t hear back. Likewise the dog warden re effectiveness but again, report.

I hope your little boy is ok.

Well, your son should know to never stroke a dog without asking but the dog shouldn't have been off the lead. I would report it too.

Well it sounds like the dog has form for biting so whether he put his hand out or not the result would have likely been the same. Probably doesn't help if she whacks her dog either.

@TimeAtTheBar because my son reached out to stroke the dog and she said he shouldn’t have as he’s a nervous dog which is why he wears a yellow collar…. How is anyone supposed to know that though unless it’s a thing I’m unaware of

Absolutely her! A dog that is known to bite should be muzzled and leashed when outside of their own property AT ALL TIMES! and should not be living with children!

However I would also have a talk to you DS about not stroking dogs without the owners knowledge and consent, just for his own added safety going forward. Hope he's okay!

This is not a thing.

She is 100% at fault. I’d report it.

She sounds like a horrible neighbour, dog owner and parent. She's completely at fault. Hope your son's ok!

The neighbour is at fault, clearly, not your son, or the dog. It's her responsiblity to ensure it's under control. Here's the current government guidance for more info.

The fact that she's got a tried and tested remedy for when her dog bites children is mind blowing! I'd get your son checked medically first, then report her.

The collars and leashes in specific colours are a thing (certainly where I live anyway) but they should not be used as a get out of jail free card! Yes they're good to give people a pre warning but it is still the owners responsibility to ensure their dogs are under control and that others, be it people or other animals, are not in danger.

A yellow collar or a collare of any other colour doesn't override the law, don't have any more contact with her and let her shift the blame onto your son.

You can get collars which are usually bright colours and they have 'Nervous' or 'Blind' or 'I don't like other dogs' etc written on them in bold lettering to warn people.

But your neighbour should not be letting her dog run around off the lead if she knows that it has form for biting. Especially in areas where there are children, because no, your son should not have touched the dog but kids don't always think first before acting.

I would be contacting the police/dog warden about a dangerous dog- despite being nervous etc the dog was allowed to wander unchecked and unmuzzled so was not under the control of the owner. This is on the owner completely.

smacking a nervous dog is also not going to help to eliminate the issue.

and yes I would pop him to the hospital to make sure it doesn’t get infected and is dressed properly.

And while neighbour is in the wrong for not having dog under control, I'd still have a chat with your son and make sure that he knows not to stroke strange dogs, whether they approach him or he approaches them.

It's her. Please report to the police.

The dog owner was 100% in the wrong and could potentially be prosecuted for having a dangerous dog out of control in a public place - under the dangerous dogs act.

There are some online resources from organisations like the PDSA, Dogs Trust and Good Dog in a Box (which is a bit annoying but gets the point across well) aimed at children to teach them how to behave if a dog approaches them. They might be useful for your son, just so he is confident of what to do if a loose dog ever approaches him in the future.

Re the yellow collar - yes, it is a thing, but I wouldn’t expect everyone to know about it. It’s more for alerting other dog owners that that particular dog is either anxious or reactive or both and therefore needs space from other dog walkers and dogs. It is still the responsibility of the dog owner to make sure their dog is under control and doesn’t endanger anyone else.

You can get collars which are usually bright colours and they have 'Nervous' or 'Blind' or 'I don't like other dogs' etc written on them in bold lettering to warn people.

Problem with these are, you're already close enough to read the writing likely not far away enough to warn people

Go to hospital - get sons bite seen to. If they give antibiotics they may make him sick. You can get anti emerics from the pharmacy
Report this dangerous dog to the police. And the owner for not supervising her dog properly

If you know you have a nervous or potentially aggressive dog the onus is on the owner to be extra vigilant. A collar simply doesn't cut it. This is 100% on your neighbour

Your neighbour is at fault and I’d report her to the police for having an out of control dog.

Dog owner. The dog should have been on a lead and not roaming in your garden

The neighbour. Also, phone the police, she's admitted having a dangerous dog that bites her kids and not seeking suitable medical treatment or reporting the incidents.

Yeah? Well she should have constant leash control of the fucking dog and under no circumstances ever should she have a known biter running free or even out on a walk without a muzzle. She's a massive, massive twat and that dog should not be allowed around kids

Report her to the police now. She owns a dog who has a history of biting which she happily allows around her children and the general public. She’s irresponsible and a disgrace.