Bitten by a dog

[Accy cyclist]

I was out working today when i went round to the back garden of a customers house. They knew i was coming round to clean the back windows but as usual they don't bother to open the back gate for me, so i opened it myself. As usual their loopy Spaniel dog made a dash out the door trying to escape so i blocked its path with my foot. It then bit my ankle then the back of my thigh. The dozy owner made a half - hearted attempt to restrained it but it went for me again, luckily a managed to grab its collar to prevent any more bites. The owner didn't apologise and just went back in the house with the dog. I was a bit shocked so i didn't say anything to him after the attack apart from i'll come back later when it's safe.When i went to the next customer down the road she told me it'd bitten two other people.
The question is should i report it or let it go? I don't want to set the ball rolling and be responsible for it being destroyed but if it seriously worries someone i'll be thinking why didn't i report it. I've looked at a picture of my thigh. It's swollen and there's a tooth puncture hole.

 

[Lonestar]

You are not very lucky are you accy?

I nearly run over a fox this morning,bolted in front of me at 4:30+ am.No Hi-Viz or anything.

 

[CopperCyclist]

The chances of it being destroyed are so, so low. I've known plenty of cases like this that have gone to court, and in my experience Magistrates are very reluctant to sign "death sentences" for dogs - even the banned breed ones! That's not to say it's impossible - but it is unlikely.

What you have to decide is what you want to achieve by reporting it, and whether the report to the police would actually achieve that.

The recent change in law does mean that it is now an offence regardless of whether it was on private property or not though, as long as you were legally on the premises.

My question is "What do you want to achieve? In your mind, what is the absolute best outcome you could get?"

 

[Levo-Lon]

Ill refer you to the "your ride today thread"
Told the wife what happened and she said report it...old bill and report are a no no

 

[Accy cyclist]

The chances of it being destroyed are so, so low. I've known plenty of cases like this that have gone to court, and in my experience Magistrates are very reluctant to sign "death sentences" for dogs - even the banned breed ones! That's not to say it's impossible - but it is unlikely.

What you have to decide is what you want to achieve by reporting it, and whether the report to the police would actually achieve that.

The recent change in law does mean that it is now an offence regardless of whether it was on private property or not though, as long as you were legally on the premises.

My question is "What do you want to achieve? In your mind, what is the absolute best outcome you could get?"

I don't want to go back and have it happen again. The owner is that dozy he'll probably let it out the next time i'm there which is my main worry. If i know its locked inside then i'll be happy,but i think it'll attack someone else. It's more a question of when not if.

 

[PeteXXX]

What if the next attack is on a child? Your thigh level bite is probably about head/face scarring for life, or worse, on a kid!

 

[Beebo]

I don't want to go back and have it happen again. The owner is that dozy he'll probably let it out the next time i'm there which is my main worry. If i know its locked inside then i'll be happy,but i think it'll attack someone else. It's more a question of when not if.

Just dont go back there then.
If you are self employed it is easy, if not, just tell your employer that you were bitten by a dog.

 

[stephec]

If it does it again taser the little shot.

 

[raleighnut]

Next time you go there if it comes near you a boot up the jacksie is in order, that might learn it.

 

[Dirk]

Spaniels can be nasty. I was bitten on my right wrist by a friends Springer Spaniel when I was eleven and ended up having twenty stitches.
It took a deep chunk of flesh the size of an old penny and severed a tendon. It traumatised me to the
extent that, for many years later, I would cross the road to avoid walking past any dog - even a Chihuahua! I got over it and have had Jack Russells for many years now. People need to control their dogs properly or face the consequences.
I would report the dog in question.

 

[SD1]

You need to report it.

Everyone thinks spaniels are nice soft dogs but they're not - they're hunters. They need proper handling and this owner clearly isn't up to it.

A bit of a knee jerk statement. They are by far the most good natured of dogs if treated right. The dog has had insufficient socialisation and mental stimulus (in the main a product of exercise). Resulting in behavioral problems caused by a worthless owner.
If you fail to report it it will definitely get worse. Possibly leading to a serious injury to someone. Assuming no one else has reported it, the police will start with a warning. If it continues the person will end up in court. Odds are they will get rid of the dog before then. It will then probably be rehomed to someone more suitable to looking after it.
You are putting people at risk by failing to report it and condemning the dog to a life of misery.
My Springer Spaniel has been out for 4.5 hours today about 3 of that walking (more running than walking) off the lead. She is 5 months old. She takes about 20 minutes to wind down from a walk before actually think about having a sleep. I suspect the dog may not even get out of the owners garden thus making the dog very very frustrated. Do the right thing and report him.

 

[fossyant]

The owner is a tool. I'd go round and complain and show the injury. Never had a dog bite me. Something wrong with the owner if a spaniel is like that.

Bet they'd complain if you smacked it's nose.

 

[galaxy]

Make sure your up to date with tetnus injections

 

[User32269]

We get issued with a spray called Bite Back as PPE from work. Smells like really strong mint. Claims to be harmless to the dog, but will buy u bit of escape time.... if your faster than dog.

 

[steve50]

If you report the dog to threlevant authorities under the new laws the owner will be issued with a dangerous dog warning with instructions to keep the dog under control, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...-What-pet-owners-need-to-know-from-today.html
personally I would report the dog before it does some more serious damage to someone else visiting that property.