WWYD - loose dogs on hacking routes

[Cowpony]

If the police won't help (which hopefully they will) could a few of you go on foot when you know the dogs are likely to be loose, catch them and report them as lost/strayed? Dog warden would have to get involved then, and it might give the woman a shock when they don't come back to her car......

 

[Wishfilly]

If you know the woman's address, I agree the police may go and talk to her even if no further action is taken. The dogs are out of control and could be dangerous to a cyclist or a walker, as well as a horse rider, so in theory there ought to be some kind of response.

If walkers are scared of dogs, they'd likely find two loose dogs running around unsupervised intimidating as well.

The more seperate reports that are made, the more likely action is to be taken, I think.

 

[ponynutz]

I’m saving up for a hat cam. I’ve noted the times the dogs tend to be on the loose so I intend to be in the car park to film what the woman does with them as a starting point.

I wouldn't deliberately be filming her like this tbh, it might get you in more trouble than it does her. I would film when something happens while you're riding if you can or get a headcam.

 

[Fransurrey]

True the police don't have time for much lately I suppose unruly dogs are way down the list.

My partner was attacked by a loose dog on Boxing Day and I can confirm that the police were less than useless. The dog warden didn't even work over Christmas until 2nd Jan, apparently, with no cover. This was despite it being an XL Bully type and crossing a busy A road repeatedly. He was bitten 5 times, fortunately through thick clothing, but each was still open wounds. The police didn't even check on the dog until midnight (the attack was mid afternoon), despite me telling them it had no food or water and was in a barren run that I only found after the attack (I'd gone knocking on the door, as it simply escaped from its usual point each time I tried to put it back in the garden. If I hadn't been there, my partner would likely be in hospital or dead. Seems it's just pot luck as to whether action is taken these days. As an aside we gave up trying to get antibiotics, as it was a 6 hours wait after triage in our local A & E (no GP was open over Christmas in my area). He managed to get a tetanus from a local private travel clinic. Modern Britain, eh? Super.

I would agree with the hat cam route and report to both dog warden and 101. Just lower expectations if you're in Surrey...

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My partner was attacked by a loose dog on Boxing Day and I can confirm that the police were less than useless. The dog warden didn't even work over Christmas until 2nd Jan, apparently, with no cover. This was despite it being an XL Bully type and crossing a busy A road repeatedly. He was bitten 5 times, fortunately through thick clothing, but each was still open wounds. The police didn't even check on the dog until midnight (the attack was mid afternoon), despite me telling them it had no food or water and was in a barren run that I only found after the attack (I'd gone knocking on the door, as it simply escaped from its usual point each time I tried to put it back in the garden. If I hadn't been there, my partner would likely be in hospital or dead. Seems it's just pot luck as to whether action is taken these days. As an aside we gave up trying to get antibiotics, as it was a 6 hours wait after triage in our local A & E (no GP was open over Christmas in my area). He managed to get a tetanus from a local private travel clinic. Modern Britain, eh? Super.

I would agree with the hat cam route and report to both dog warden and 101. Just lower expectations if you're in Surrey...

God that sounds horrendous so sorry your poor husband, surely that dog needs to be pts I would pursue that with the police.

 

[cauda equina]

Shame on Surrey police!
After the very well publicised death of the dog walker you would think they'd be all over dog attacks

 

[Gloi]

If your husband has no joy with the police take pictures of the bites and dog if you know where it is and report to the daily Mail, local paper or the like.

 

[Fransurrey]

God that sounds horrendous so sorry your poor husband, surely that dog needs to be pts I would pursue that with the police.

Unfortunately he's worried about repercussions. It was close to home and from a particular community - this family having a particularly nasty reputation. We did pursue with police. It took them two days to attend and if it went to court, partner's name would be public, so he went dog warden route. We were hoping that this would result in the dog being assessed, but we've heard nothing since...

 

[Fransurrey]

If your husband has no joy with the police take pictures of the bites and dog if you know where it is and report to the daily Mail, local paper or the like.

We did take pictures of bites, dog and also the barren run. Police and dog warden have both.

 

[PeterNatt]

I am the BHS Bridleway and Road Safety Officer for Hertfordshire. Please report these incidents each and every time they occur to the Police and the Local Authority dog warden. The law is that' Dogs must be under control at all times when in a Public Place'. Try to get the registration number, make and model of the vehicle so that the Police can identify the dogs' owner. Also when hacking out I would recommend wearing a Hat Cam that films front and rear at the same time such as the Techalogic DC-1. If you go to their web site you can get a 7% discount by entering code PWAS1. You can upload any video footage directly to the police on their ‘Snap Portal’ where you can send in hat cam coverage. Check on: https://nextbase.co.uk/national-das...vFa_PnQDKOp32qyvuFZ7bJ4ewSEcZRiFl51xjDqfHA5Tw If you require any more assistance please do not hesitate to contact me on peter.natt@btinternet.com. Good luck.

 

[Fred66]

I wouldn't deliberately be filming her like this tbh, it might get you in more trouble than it does her. I would film when something happens while you're riding if you can or get a headcam.

Unless the trouble you are talking about is the risk of her attacking you, then there is no law against filming someone in a public place.
Albeit if you followed her repeatedly over a sustained period then she might report you for harassment.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Get yourself a hat-cam.

My pony was attacked by a dog out riding; owner had diddly-squat recall over the damned thing and it went under her belly and started biting at her teats. She then reared up vertically and I came off, then my poor little pony was chased by this dog and went out of sight.

Luckily she's a sensible little soul and made for home; there are lots of major roads around where it happened and the outcome could have been very different.

She let herself be caught by complete strangers and was none the worse for her ordeal.

After this I came home and bought a hat-cam.

Reported it to the police and they issued a Control Order on the dog's owner, who'd totally denied what had happened and her version of it was that my horse had "spooked" at the dog. BS. Dog Warden didn't want to know.

With this woman OP mentions who is just letting the dogs out the car to let them run, a report needs to be made to the Dog Warden and the local constabulary. Get everyone you know who rides, wearing a hat-cam so you have a record of the car's number plate, and hopefully you will catch her opening the car door and letting them loose. Also you need video footage of the dogs loose and coming at your horses.

It is an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act for Dogs to be "out of control in a public place". End of. This woman needs sorting. Not acceptable.

The other thing you need to do is become confident at keeping yourselves safe: you may need to turn your horses around and actually ride AT these dogs in "attack" mode. If owner sees you doing this the thought of a vets bill might (and I say might) just focus their minds a bit. Tho' not holding my breath, stoopid doesn't come anywhere near it with some dog owners.

Stay safe.

 

[SEL]

My partner was attacked by a loose dog on Boxing Day and I can confirm that the police were less than useless. The dog warden didn't even work over Christmas until 2nd Jan, apparently, with no cover. This was despite it being an XL Bully type and crossing a busy A road repeatedly. He was bitten 5 times, fortunately through thick clothing, but each was still open wounds. The police didn't even check on the dog until midnight (the attack was mid afternoon), despite me telling them it had no food or water and was in a barren run that I only found after the attack (I'd gone knocking on the door, as it simply escaped from its usual point each time I tried to put it back in the garden. If I hadn't been there, my partner would likely be in hospital or dead. Seems it's just pot luck as to whether action is taken these days. As an aside we gave up trying to get antibiotics, as it was a 6 hours wait after triage in our local A & E (no GP was open over Christmas in my area). He managed to get a tetanus from a local private travel clinic. Modern Britain, eh? Super.

I would agree with the hat cam route and report to both dog warden and 101. Just lower expectations if you're in Surrey...

Both my brother and SiL have been bitten on separate occasions. SiL ended up in surgery after the bite on her leg got infected due to A&E giving her the wrong antibiotics.

I hope your partner is ok. I've heard of more dog bites in the last 2 years than the previous 40 odd.

 

[FestiveG]

I wouldn't deliberately be filming her like this tbh, it might get you in more trouble than it does her. I would film when something happens while you're riding if you can or get a headcam.

What trouble could the person filming possibly get into? It is perfectly legal to film/ take photographs in a public place, hence the number of dash cams/ hat cams etc. The only time it is not legal is if you trespass to take a photo, there are some restrictions on videoing, or at least using the video, if a person could expect privacy on their property, so if your door bell cam looks into your neighbours house, then you may be in breach of some data protection rules.

 

[HannahB]

Other place to report incidents is horse i app. Bhs are trying to get people using it, but dont think they actually do anything specifically to help

 

[Winters100]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it seemed a good place for a bit of a rant. I am seriously considering only walking my dogs on busy roads, where hopefully other dogs will be leashed. I am sick to death of hearing 'don't worry, he's friendly' as other dogs charge up to us at full speed. Today I was out with just one of mine, we stopped on the way back from the vet for a walk. He is an older dog who spent 7 years in a shelter, and can be afraid of larger dogs if not introduced gently. On a path in the forest we met a couple with their dog coming towards us. I stopped to give them time to leash the dog, but they did not. As it charged towards us I picked mine up, he is over 20kg, so I would prefer not to do this, and the other dog was jumping at my back while I kept turning away. The owners refused to do anything, just shouting about how friendly their dog was, while I was asking them as politely as I could to please remove it. The man said that he would not, as it was not his problem if I did not like dogs, and we were not in a 'camp', so I took the hound spray from my pocket (legal where I am), and told them to remove the dog or I would spray it. The man went insane, yelling at me that he would hurt me if I did, but at least his wife came and took their dog. They left with the man yelling that I obviously hated dogs, to which I replied that I love dogs, but I dislike being around out of control ones. Just what is wrong with people? I have no problem with dogs off leash, but in this case they need to be trained and in control. I don't care how friendly the dog is, I do not want it near me and my dogs unless it is under control. Really ruins a nice relaxing walk

 

[cauda equina]

So bloody rude, what is wrong with people?