Yep, sounds fair enough.
Yes, I do agree with the verdict. Certainly, as the owner, she was responsible for her dog, but if the dog had never seen a horse previously, then I fail to see how she could have been expected to predict how the dog would react. Were it my horse, then I'd have been furious, but beyond the responsibility of paying for any Veterinary treatment, I fail to see how she has committed an offence.
I'm very surprised that the CPS brought a prosecution, without clear evidence that the owner was well aware of her dog's likely conduct. Conversely, I think that the dog in question should now be labelled as 'Dangerous', and any further events should bring down the wrath of the Courts, and upon the owner.
Alec.
Imagine though if she was walking her dog and encountered sheep which the dog had never seen before and exhibited the same behaviour, a bullet to the brain by a farmer would have been the likely result.
If this was some local lad though I truly doubt the verdict would have been the same, I just think it sets a very dangerous precedent and will be used by others as a get out of jail card.
no definitely not!!!! what message does this send to the general public if they can make the excuse the dog was exited!!! also it bit the horse so how can the so called justice system say its not a dangerous dog..
..we had similar locally with a staffie cross who went for my friends horse who was actually standing still waiting for the owner to get hold of the dog. the horse was really frightened and spun round and galloped off with the dog chasing it and it bit his leg.. my friend was injured quite badly and she reported it to police who just cautioned the dog owner. my friend could have been killed but until this happens these dog attacks will not be treated seriously..
Joe Public would have had he book thrown at him because it was a POLICE horse - not because it was a horse. If it was my horse or your horse the case would not even have got to court. Therefore if she 'got off' because she was a barrister then it is 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.Lévrier;12717556 said:What a load of crap - she got away with it because she was a barrister, if she had been Joe Public she would have had the book thrown at her. The dog was clearly out of control - she couldn't get it back on a lead until someone rugby tackled it for her FFS - and the damage to the police horse shows that it is a potentially dangerous animal. It should be rehomed with someone who can actually manage it properly, and it should also be muzzled and on a lead in public.
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There does not seem to be any mention of the horse needing veterinary treatment so did the dog actually cause any physical harm? .. .
I would have thought that insisting that the dog be on a lead and muzzled when in public would have been a sensible precaution. If that was my dog I'd do that anyway... But then I wouldn't have an off lead dog with no recall.
Needed a kick up the bum, that dog.