Bitten by a dog

[MangoPete]

Hi All I was bitten yesterday, not badly but bitten never the less by a neighbours dachshund. It tore my trousers and I had to have a tetenus jab. They are really nice people and their two dogs a westie and a dachs are their "children". They have no control over the dogs whatsoever. I wanted to know what the law says about this as the dogs are let out and could bite children on their way to school. I grew up with animals in ther house including at least three dogs all the time but with working away a lot haven't one of my own currently. Advise would be welcomed thanks

[kita1]

When you say the dogs are 'let out' what do you mean?

In their own garden? Loose on the road?

It makes a lot of difference if the dogs are on their own property or not.

What was their response when you were bitten?

[MangoPete]

I was bitten by their gate on their land with the owners saying no dogs shh be quiet come here.
I did not react to wind the dogs up. I have been there many times.
The little dachs can and does get out of the gate.
The owners picked up the dachs cuddled him and said
"no naughty boy!"
No even an apology.
I have been too angry to approach them to be honest.
I do know that if dogs start to bite it IS a problem and the police need to be informed. It used to be two bits and they are out down.
Even a dachs can tear a childs face apart.

My mums dach susie used to chase Hyenas in Kenya.

[lankeela]

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domest ic/ddogslawyouleaflet.pdf

[clio57]

I think you should meet with your neighbours.

Show them your trousers and legs. Explain that you need to get some reassurance from them that they are going to do something about their dogs as you would feel awful if their dogs injured somone else and you had not done anything about it. You might need to get tough and say that it could end up with dog(s) being put down and them being fined or worse.

Good luck.

[kita1]

I would have a word with your local dog warden, they can be contacted through the Environmental Health Dept. at your council.

They can probably go round (not saying who contacted them) and have a chat with the owners of the dogs and advise them on the behaviour of the dogs and their obligations under the law.

They are used to dealing with people like this and work closely with the police (they are usually better than the police as they know more about dogs and the laws governing them).

I think if you try talking to them yourself you would probably get too wound up and not get your message across - the dog warden can remain calm and has more experience of dealing with situations like this (plus they have the power to actually enforce any action that needs to be taken).

That way everything will also be recorded in case there is a next time.

[MangoPete]

Thanks folks that makes it a lot clearer

[CrazyCathy]

That way everything will also be recorded in case there is a next time.

This is important as a local dog bit someone and although it was common knowledge nothing had been reported. When it bit someone again they were told if it had been reported the first time it would have been taken more seriously. This dog was later destroyed.

It could as you said so easily bite a child

[paraffin]

Hi MangoPete:

Incidents like this are not uncommon and can be more difficult to deal with in a way which brings some form of resolution or satisfaction to all concerned, especially you as the victim.

Both Westies and Dachshunds are renowned for being feisty and snappy types of dog and can be extremely protective of "their patch" which appears to be the case here.

It does, however, not condone one of them biting you and ripping your trousers. The fact that the owners apparently spoke to the one which attacked you like it was a naughty child does depress me. A very bad example of dog ownership/

Unfortunately, because this happened on their property, it would not automatically come under dangerous dog legislation, as it would had it been in a public place.

However, it does not stop your neighbours from being held responsible, and normal Police procedure, IF you chose to make a formal complaint, would be to obtain a written statement from yourself, interview the owners under caution, report them for failing to keep their dog under proper control and give them the opportunity to sign an undertaking to keep the dog under control in the future. Should they refuse, a Court Order could be sought for destruction of the dog in question.

Should you prefer to try to resolve it more informally, but do not wish to confront the owners yourself, contact either the local Dog Warden or Police to discuss your options and it may be that they would intercede on your behalf with your neighbours. The least you deserve is an apology.

You could have a claim in any case for the damage to your trousers and perhaps even the cost of the jab, if you had to pay?
Please feel free to come back if you need anything clarified.
Good luck.

[MangoPete]

Hi Folks, well I let things lie. then last week spoke to the people who own the dogs whom I have got on with for 6 years.
I told them I wasn't going to charge them for the torn jeans but was going to refer them to a trainer to train their dogs.
They went mental screaming at me that the dogs didn't bite or tear anything. I told them I was then going to report it to the police.
Last Friday I met my local postie he said both he and a colleague had been bitten by one of the two dogs and they refuse to deliver post there.
Seems there is more to this .
I was also told they had escaped from their yard and bitten another neighbour.
The police asked if I wanted the dogs destroyed. I said no but they do need removing from the current owners and trained properly.
Thanks
for your advice
MangoPete