A Friend Dog Has Bit My Sons Lip.

[Pashha]

So while out today, my 10yo son was playing my my friends lovely dog. They were playing ball and as he went to pick it up as it was rolling to to him the dog went for it also and ended up catching my sons lip. It’s made quite a mess. We’ve obviously brought him to hospital where the nurse advised they have to report it to the police. It was a complete accident and my son has said that himself. We both feel awful about the dog having to be reported. My question is what will happen to the dog? She’s the sweetest gentlest soul. And my son and I are heartbroken that it’s come to this!

[Buenchico]

If you're sure that it was an accident (rather than the dog displaying aggression), there's absolutely no need to report the incident to anyone.

I've been bitten by dogs several times in my life (including an incident in the street where a dog on a lead suddenly leapt at me and left blood streaming down my leg from a gash in my groin) and it's never even occurred to me to report it to the police.

[calmck]

I think it is the law that dog bites have to be reported and the dog might have to go to quarantine. Hopefully her vaccines are up to date. If you and your son can confirm it was an accident hopefully all will be ok

[douglas9401]

I don't suppose tghe offending mutt was a Cocker Spaniel by any chance, Buenchico?

[wolf63]

Did the dog actually bite your son or just catch him with its teeth?

[Vagus]

Jeepers, why would you report a friendly, friends dog who just happened to ‘catch’ your sons lip?
No, I wouldn’t report it despite what the nurse said.

[roopower]

Something like this happened to my grandson when he was in my care. He and the dog were on the couch together, the dog turned his head and caught grandson's lip. It bled a great deal. I took him to A&E and explained what happened. They said they would have to report it. My daughter had a phone call and then visit from the police but as it was obviously an accident they just patted the dog and left.

[david small]

I had twenty four stitches in my head from a dog bite…the dog it was that died.
Two of my sons, both bitten, one quite badly. Nothing happened to the dogs at all.

[lankeela]

It could well end up with the dog being put down if you report it. As it was purely accidental then is this what you would want for your friend's lovely dog? Do you think the dog is a danger to anyone? The problem is the police won't see it as just one of those things and if you get someone on the case who is not dog savy then this could end very badly for the dog and also your friendship. Whilst I would not hesitate to report an aggressive dog that bites without warning I do feel this is not a reportable offence. As for what calmck says, what a load of absolute nonsense - there is no such thing a 'quarantine' for a dog that bites - they may be taken into police kennels until the case is heard and as for having its vaccinations up to date, exactly what do you think the child could catch from a dog biting his lip?

[divegirl]

As I read it it is the hospital saying they will have to report it, not the OP asking whether she should or not.

[david small]

Learn, move on, stroke dog, forget about it.

[Captain2]

From the OP

'....where the nurse advised THEY have to report it to the police....'

The OP, I think, doesn't want to report it. Depends on the hospital, I suppose.

[Moorea7]

It was an unfortunate accident. I was once playing with a dog and, by accident, I sustained a bleeding hand - given a Tetanus jab at Clinic and that was that. No-one suggested reporting the incident.

[Buenchico]

In the (probably unlikely) event of the Old Bill turning up on your doorstep to ask you about the incident, you simply need to say that it was an accident and you don't want to pursue the matter any further. You can't be forced to provide any further information.

[roopower]

Lankeela, it would be very unusual for a dog to be put down aftercan obvious accident such as this. As I said in my post, the hospital had to report the incident, the police turned up at my daughters, agreed it was an accident and that was it.

[lankeela]

Only if you have a visit from old bill who are not anti dog - you would not believe how many dogs are currently in 'custody' awaiting a court case to decide their future and most of those have not even bitten - only this week it was the 11th anniversary of the death of Lennox who was put down just because of the way he looked.

[Peter Pedant]

Do nothing and keep quiet
You arent the one reporting

await events. If there is a duty to report, there is nothing that can be done and if there isnt, just keeping silent is better than arguing the toss.

I have gone over the other posts, at least half think YOU have to report it ( you dont) and the other half, dont seem to have needed hospital treatment.

sort of normal for AB

do nothing - let events unfold, - you are not in control of this anyway

[Pashha]

Because it warranted stitches. They legally had to report it by ringing 101 to speak to the police. Had it been my choice I would absolutely not have reported it. It’s actually torn the lip apparently.

[Buenchico]

I stand by my post at 2022.

If asked, just say that you have no interest in pursuing the matter.

[lankeela]

Would you trust the dog with your son again? If so then tell the police that, should it get that far.

[barry1010]

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is to blame for this policy. Under this Act, any dog that bites a child is presumed to be 'dangerously out of control' and the hospital has a duty to report dog bites to the police.

This is to safeguard children bitten at home by the family pet. The parents may be reluctant to report it themselves so the burden is placed on hospital staff.