Attacked by a dog while working

[NikJak]

I run an ironing business and have a regular fortnightly customer who has a Rhodesian (?) Ridgeback. I went yesterday to dollect the ironing - they don't have a front door and have a 5-bar gate to the back which I always wait at out of courtesy as I know they will know I'm there because the dog barks whether he's indoors or out. Many times I've been invited to the back door and the dog is there and free and while I wouldn't pet it, it has been quite ok. On this occasion the gate was shut and the dog free in the garden, it came to the gate and barked and I stood a foot back from the gate and heard the owner shout hello to me. As I was standing the dog lunged thru the bars of the gate and bit my arm causing a instant and nasty bruise/lump. I told the owner and he just shrugged and said "that's it's job". I had to return later to the house and tried to in a friendly way suggest that I thought he really should have a warning sign up as it could have been a child or someone who would report him and he and the dog could be in trouble. He said "I don't give a toss, that's what it's here for and I don't care if anyone reports me". I'm writing to him to say I won't be working for him again but I wondered what is the law? I was on his driveway but should he have a notice displayed warning of the dog? I can imagine that the law is such an ass even a burgler could sue him if he gets bitten! I'm really in two minds what to do. On the one hand I'm reluctant to report him because he seems a bit of a git and I'm running a small company in a village which relies on local support, on the other hand if he was forced to put up a notice it may save someone else from getting hurt. His attitude really sucked tho.

[LoftyLottie]

What a horrible man and how horrible for you. Zacsmaster is right about putting up a 'Beware of the Dog' sign.

If he is saying that the dog is a guard dog, then he has to display a sign stating this and there are rules he has to adhere to.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domest ic/dogs.htm

It is not his dog's 'job' to bite people?

Personally I would report it to the police, you might be saving someone from a very nasty injury.

[Velvetee]

I hope you no longer have him as a customer, some really aren't worth the hassle.

[terambulan]

I hope ur tetanus jabs are up to date? I have signs 'beware, loose dogs' as my dog has bitten and police advised the signs. My gates are locked so appointments are necessary or a phone call before entrance. I always lock the dog up when people call, as dogs are unpredictable due to peoples temperaments.

When you attend hospital for a dog bite the hospital will inform the police of the owners address and a warning is given. If the owner wants to keep their dog they should adhere to police advice.

[NikJak]

It only grazed the skin because I was standing far enough back that only it's front 4 small teeth made contact (luckily) - and I had a thick cardi on, do I still need a jab - I know I haven't had a booster for years :-(
I've spoken to the police and it didn't savage me enough for them to get involved but they want me to contact the Dog Warden who will go and see the owner - they asked if it punctured the skin.
I'm not ironing for them again, I sent them a letter today explaining why - ie, not the dog bite but his cr@p attitude. Also advised that I'd reported it - he said he didn't give a to$$ if anyone reported him so I figured he wouldn't mind that I had!