Dog on dog attack

[Charlie007]

Long story short, mum was walking her dogs on a private track , she has permission. Two lurcher type dogs ran across two fields and attacked one of her dogs causing £600 vets bill so far. The dogs owner eventually came across the fields ' grabbed his dogs, said dogs will be be dogs and went off. Mum called police who have been useless. Is there any way she could recoup at least some if the vets bill? Us it just her word against his? These dogs are constantly out and about roaming, the owner thinks that as he lives next to the fields he has a right to let his dogs out!! Mums poor dog is still going to the vets daily for bandage changes etc. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

 

[Moobli]

As your mum knows whose dogs they are the first port of call should be the dog warden. I would also get her to speak to the police again, and say she feared for her own safety.

Hope the dogs that were attacked are feeling better soon.

 

[Charlie007]

Thank you. Never thought of the dog warden. The police didn't want to know unless mum was injured or her dog was blind!!??

 

[Sandstone1]

I think you mean if the dog was a guide dog, not blind!
Anyway, is your dog insured? If so tell the insurance company the circumstances. They may be interested.

 

[Charlie007]

I think you mean if the dog was a guide dog, not blind!
Anyway, is your dog insured? If so tell the insurance company the circumstances. They may be interested.

The police definitely asked mum if her dog was blind. No unfortunately the dog is no longer insured, typical.

 

[bonny]

What would your mum like the police to do ?

 

[Sandstone1]

The police definitely asked mum if her dog was blind. No unfortunately the dog is no longer insured, typical.

Odd. Police must have made a mistake. Assistance dogs are classed the same as humans if they get attacked by a dog. Ie the owner can be prosecuted.
Unfortunately, you may struggle to get this man to pay the vets Bill.
It is worth while contacting the dog warden or maybe getting some legal advice. Are you in Bhs? If so they have a legal helpline.

 

[SpringArising]

What exactly are you expecting the police to do? Can you imagine what a time waste it would be if they went round to every single person's house where there was a dog who had a scrap with another dog?

 

[Moobli]

Under the DDA the police should be interested (especially if your mum says she felt scared that the dogs might bite her too - which would be a natural reaction when they were attacking her dogs). The police and/or dog warden should advise and warn this other dog owner to keep their dogs under control and may also advise that they should offer to pay at least some of the veterinary fees. Your mum could always seek the opinion of a solicitor - Trevor Cooper of Cooper & Co who are specialists in dog law would be a good start.

http://doglaw.co.uk/

 

[galaxy]

First contact dog warden. In my experience they will go visit and give owner a warning.

Second I would write a letter and copy vets bills and send it recorded delivery stating you expect the damages to paid for as his dogs were dangerously out of control and that if he doesn't pay by a certain date you will be taking legal action

 

[Dry Rot]

What exactly are you expecting the police to do? Can you imagine what a time waste it would be if they went round to every single person's house where there was a dog who had a scrap with another dog?

And why not? It is the duty of the police to keep the peace so perhaps that's what they should do.

Whenever reporting an incident of this type, make sure you get an incident number. And if I got a brush off after such an incident, I'd be writing a stiff letter to the chief constable.

 

[Clodagh]

I am surprised by those of you who think the person who's dog was attacked should just not say anything, I would be livid. I agree with the sending the bill by recorded delivery suggestion, bullies only succeed where they are enabled.

 

[Moobli]

It is worth remembering that it is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:
in a public place
in a private place, eg a neighbour’s house or garden
in the owner’s home
The law applies to all dogs.

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:
injures someone
makes someone worried that it might injure them
A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:
it attacks someone’s animal
the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

So if the police representative your mum spoke to was not interested, you need to speak to someone else and make them aware of the above (if they aren't already!!) and, yes, as DR says definitely insist on an incident number.

 

[cremedemonthe]

It is worth remembering that it is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:
in a public place
in a private place, eg a neighbour’s house or garden
in the owner’s home
The law applies to all dogs.

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:
injures someone
makes someone worried that it might injure them
A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:
it attacks someone’s animal
the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

So if the police representative your mum spoke to was not interested, you need to speak to someone else and make them aware of the above (if they aren't already!!) and, yes, as DR says definitely insist on an incident number.

Good advice and I would be livid too

 

[Charlie007]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I will pass it on. Mums dog is still having to go to the vets daily for dressing changes etc but hopefully he will be ok, tho it may take a while.