Police called about my dog

Shebaisabonerocker · 2025-03-22T12:43:49+00:00

NC as my normal username could be identifying. Back story is about 10 days ago I was walking my small/ medium sized elderly dog on a lead. A huge young dog came almost out of nowhere and run up and jumped on him. My dog’s eyesight is ok but not great, and I think he was surprised. He growled and snapped at the dog, and my son managed to chase it away. It then came back several more times, by this time the owner had arrived and was shouting that the dog was friendly. The dog wasn’t friendly. It was growling and its hackles were up ( I know that can also mean fear, but the other dog could have easily run away if frightened). The owner eventually grabbed his dog, and again told me his dog was friendly! Whilst there had been lots of growling and snarling neither of the dogs yelped and I didn’t think any damage had been done. I later noticed a spot of blood on my trouser leg. I went over my dog and he was uninjured, so I can only assume it was from the other dog. I was out yesterday and the police called to speak to me about my dog. My daughter was the only one home and although she is an adult she looks quite young, and she is not the dogs owner. They said they would be back on Monday. I am so worried about what might happen. We’ve never had any issues with my dog before, and he couldn’t get away from this dog. He was shaking after the incident. Will it just be up to the police to decide if any action will be taken?

Wolfiefan · 22/03/2025 12:51

Your dog was on a lead so you were in control. The other one ran up and jumped on it. So that owner wasn’t in control. And the dog wasn’t friendly. It was rude.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 22/03/2025 13:02

The other dog was out of control so it’s not your fault. Stupid owner should have put their dog on lead, did you give them your contact details?

Original poster

Shebaisabonerocker · 22/03/2025 13:05

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 22/03/2025 13:02

The other dog was out of control so it’s not your fault. Stupid owner should have put their dog on lead, did you give them your contact details?

No, I didn’t give them my details. I had no reason to think I needed to at the time. We live in a village so although I didn’t know the owner dog walkers are probably quite easy to trace.

OP posts:

cheezncrackers · 22/03/2025 13:12

Just tell the police what you've said in your OP. The other owner was clearly in the wrong with an off-lead and out-of-control dog but twats like that are always the ones to claim victimhood. The police have seen/heard it all before though so just be honest and tell them what happened. They're not going to seize your dog unless it's a banned breed.

faerietales · 22/03/2025 15:07

The police are probably just wanting your version of events. I wouldn’t worry.

tabulahrasa · 22/03/2025 15:45

Just tell them what happened - pretty surprised they’re even coming out tbh, most places aren’t at all interested in dog on dog issues.

LandSharksAnonymous · 22/03/2025 15:55

I agree with PPs - just be honest about what happened.

It's he said, she said.

Original poster

Shebaisabonerocker · 22/03/2025 16:02

cheezncrackers · 22/03/2025 13:12

Just tell the police what you've said in your OP. The other owner was clearly in the wrong with an off-lead and out-of-control dog but twats like that are always the ones to claim victimhood. The police have seen/heard it all before though so just be honest and tell them what happened. They're not going to seize your dog unless it's a banned breed.

He’s a very common, non banned breed, which is not known for aggression. He did nothing to provoke the other dog. I hope the police will be reasonable.

OP posts:

londongirl12 · 22/03/2025 17:02

They’ll just be wanting your version of events. I’m sure they’ll see what type of dog you have. They have to investigate- can you imagine if they didn’t investigate a report of a “vicious dog” and then something happened?

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 17:08

If your dog is on a lead it is under control. An off lead dog is not under the owner's control. If it is, then it wouldn't approach you. You have nothing to worry about, if the police turn up then just tell them that an off lead dog approached yours and your dog wasn't happy about it.

ElbowsUpRising · 22/03/2025 17:15

Dogs are surely allowed to defend themselves against unprovoked dog attacks. Hopefully the other owner learns a lesson. I’d fight fire with fire and tell the police you wish to make a complaint under the dangerous dogs act about this dog. If you were scared then an offence has been committed even if your dog wasn’t bitten. I doubt they’d actually do anything but hopefully it would get them to back off you when they realise that it’s actually the other person who has committed the offence.

Original poster

Shebaisabonerocker · 22/03/2025 17:37

ElbowsUpRising · 22/03/2025 17:15

Dogs are surely allowed to defend themselves against unprovoked dog attacks. Hopefully the other owner learns a lesson. I’d fight fire with fire and tell the police you wish to make a complaint under the dangerous dogs act about this dog. If you were scared then an offence has been committed even if your dog wasn’t bitten. I doubt they’d actually do anything but hopefully it would get them to back off you when they realise that it’s actually the other person who has committed the offence.

The aspect of my dog being allowed to defend himself is part of my concern.

I think it’s perfectly reasonable for him to defend himself against a much larger dog who was jumping on him and wouldn’t leave him alone.

I have made the assumption that the owner has complained to the police and that’s why they want to speak to me, so it sounds like the other dog owner doesn’t agree.

There is no doubt in my mind that the other dog owner is irresponsible, and probably an idiot, but I am surprised that he has taken the matter this far.

OP posts:

JohnofWessex · 22/03/2025 17:40

I had an issue with a neighbours dog - long story but they ended up with Police, Social Services, the Dog Warden & Health Visitor all in the same week.

What the Police & Dog Warden said though that I was able to use 'reasonable force' against a dog if attacked so presumably the same would apply to your dog.

faerietales · 22/03/2025 17:41

If your dog is on a lead it is under control.

This isn't necessarily true.

Original poster

Shebaisabonerocker · 22/03/2025 17:57

faerietales · 22/03/2025 17:41

If your dog is on a lead it is under control.

This isn't necessarily true.

It isn’t necessarily true as some dogs are aggressive even when on the lead. I suppose the main difference is when they are on a lead they are restrained and they normally can’t make contact with another animal or person.
My dog was under control. He was walking normally and as soon as the dog stopped jumping on him all he wanted to do was walk away. Unfortunately the other dog just kept coming back.

OP posts:

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 18:06

faerietales · 22/03/2025 17:41

If your dog is on a lead it is under control.

This isn't necessarily true.

In the eye of the law it is. Your dog is being restrained so it can't haul off and chase or attack. If it's on a retractable lead at full stretch then obviously it's different but on a normal lead you aren't responsible if an off lead dog attacks yours and gets bitten.

I have a VERY reactive dog. If we see another dog approach then she is right in close by my side. It won't stop her attacking the approaching dog, but it won't be her fault. The off lead dog shouldn't be coming over.

faerietales · 22/03/2025 18:10

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 18:06

In the eye of the law it is. Your dog is being restrained so it can't haul off and chase or attack. If it's on a retractable lead at full stretch then obviously it's different but on a normal lead you aren't responsible if an off lead dog attacks yours and gets bitten.

I have a VERY reactive dog. If we see another dog approach then she is right in close by my side. It won't stop her attacking the approaching dog, but it won't be her fault. The off lead dog shouldn't be coming over.

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Again, not necessarily. It depends on the circumstances.

Your dog being on the lead wouldn't be a defence if it leapt up and bit a passer by, for example, or lunged into the road and caused an accident.

Dog-on-dog attacks are slightly different I agree, but people shouldn't use "it was on the lead" as a fool-proof argument for their dog being under control.

faerietales · 22/03/2025 18:11

Shebaisabonerocker · 22/03/2025 17:57

It isn’t necessarily true as some dogs are aggressive even when on the lead. I suppose the main difference is when they are on a lead they are restrained and they normally can’t make contact with another animal or person.
My dog was under control. He was walking normally and as soon as the dog stopped jumping on him all he wanted to do was walk away. Unfortunately the other dog just kept coming back.

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Oh, I'm not for a minute saying your dog wasn't under control (sorry if it came across that way) - just that being on lead doesn't always mean control (see my other post).

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 18:14

faerietales · 22/03/2025 18:10

Again, not necessarily. It depends on the circumstances.

Your dog being on the lead wouldn't be a defence if it leapt up and bit a passer by, for example, or lunged into the road and caused an accident.

Dog-on-dog attacks are slightly different I agree, but people shouldn't use "it was on the lead" as a fool-proof argument for their dog being under control.

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Ah, I see what you mean now. I was only talking about in relation to dog attacks. You are right that a dog being on lead is no defence if it attacks a person or causes an accident. But that's not really the point here - this dog was on the lead and attacked by an off lead dog whose owner is trying to stir up trouble.

faerietales · 22/03/2025 18:17

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 18:14

Ah, I see what you mean now. I was only talking about in relation to dog attacks. You are right that a dog being on lead is no defence if it attacks a person or causes an accident. But that's not really the point here - this dog was on the lead and attacked by an off lead dog whose owner is trying to stir up trouble.

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Oh, I know, I went off on a bit of a tangent, sorry!

I'm actually wondering if the other owner is trying to claim they were bitten - the police are incredibly unlikely to be interested otherwise.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 18:19

faerietales · 22/03/2025 18:17

Oh, I know, I went off on a bit of a tangent, sorry!

I'm actually wondering if the other owner is trying to claim they were bitten - the police are incredibly unlikely to be interested otherwise.

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Yes, I was wondering why the police were getting involved. Unless the on lead dog was a banned breed (which is doesn't seem to be) and was out unmuzzled, then they really don't usually bother.

ElbowsUpRising · 22/03/2025 18:21

Plus from what you say nobody saw your dog bite the other? Maybe it scratched itself while jumping about off lead? The other person will need an in-depth vet report to prove your dog bit it? Even if the vet says it’s a bite then who’s to say it was your dog. How many other dogs did this dog harass that day?

faerietales · 22/03/2025 18:22

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/03/2025 18:19

Yes, I was wondering why the police were getting involved. Unless the on lead dog was a banned breed (which is doesn't seem to be) and was out unmuzzled, then they really don't usually bother.

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That's my experience too - a small dog near us was sadly killed by a pack of lurchers not long ago and the police didn't even want to take a report, let alone investigate it further.

I hope for OP's sake that she just has a very bored police force and that they're following up on a report rather than anything else.

Hoppinggreen · 22/03/2025 18:24

I had my dog on a lead many years ago outside my house and he was attacked by an off lead Collie with a young teen in charge. Against my advice she tried to grab her dog and was bitten, no idea by who, it was a mess of teeth at this point.
I managed to kick the collie away and get my dog indoors.
The Police later turned up as the teen had said my dog attacked and bit her. The Police Officer just asked what happened and I explained (while my soppy dog made friends with him) and no further action was taken.
Your dog was on a lead so just be honest and you should be ok

Jade520 · 22/03/2025 18:25

The other owner is being ridiculous to get the police involved. They shouldn't be letting their dog run at other dogs who are on lead without checking first. They clearly had no control over the dog so they are the ones at fault. Just explain calmly to the police and don't worry about it. It's their fault.