Advice

My mate had his staff out yesterday morning about 6.30 so it was dark, as he went round a corner a man dressed all in black was coming the other way and startled my mate who jumped back and his staff went for the man and gave him a bite to the knee. My mates staff has never done anything like this before and is such a big softy. He brought blood but it was not a bad my mates is totally devestated by this and I was wondeing if any one has had any similar incidents. He is worrying that he will be reported and they will take the dog.

In the circumstances I don't think that they would be able to take the dog. Was the man he bit very angry? Did he say he was going to report your friend to the police/dog warden?

I think most people would just see it as a genuine mistake and that the dog was protecting his owner. I guess it depends on the individual the dog bit though and what he is saying about the matter.

The fact the dog was on the lead (was he?) makes all the difference as there is no way they could say that the dog was dangerously out of control in a public area. If the worst came to the worst and they did take the dog they have to do a series of tests with a behaviour specialist who will decide if the dog is dangerous or not.

As this was a one off, it was dark and a stanger approached the dog's owner I'm sure that in the circumstances it would be agreed that the dog was trying to protect it's handler.

If the guy who got bit was a real d*ck and did kick up a fuss the plods might turn up at her door, but chances are they won't be too worried. Especially if the dog is friendly with them when they are there, theoretically they can do something such as telling your friend to muzzle the dog, not let it off-lead etc.

Hope I've helped a little bit...

Heres some more reading;

* http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/65/contents

Oh this is tricky. On the one hand, the dog did bite someone, on the other hand, he was clearly just trying to protect his owner. If your friend is lucky enough not to get reported, he needs to teach his dog that he is in charge and doesnt need protecting (unless he blatantly does of course) but I dont know how he can go about teaching him that. I'm sorry I cant be of any help, please let us know how this pans out. I really feel for you friend

Thanks Guys

Nosipho the dog was on his lead.

I think Nosipho advice was spot on. I don't think your friend need worry, but yes it is a tricky one. As Shontelle said the dog needs to realise it can't bite even if its protecting its owner, good luck and as long as its not a real busy body that was on the recieveing end I think they should be fine. Let us know how they get on

Just found out the fella went to A and E so will have to see if anything comes of it

Tracie-Milly-Moos Mum wrote:Just found out the fella went to A and E so will have to see if anything comes of it

Well keep an open mind, how did they find that out?

Hope everything turns out okay!!!!

Tracie-Milly-Moos Mum wrote:Just found out the fella went to A and E so will have to see if anything comes of it

Might just be cause he wanted an anti-tetanus jab. That's the first thing I'd do, whether I was going to report it or not.

Might be an idea for him to write down exactly what happened so that everything is fresh in his mind if naything does come of it. There's nothing worse than having to rack your brains for details a few weeks after the event!

Good advice caryll... write it all down.... every last detail..
i hope it all works out for you
xx

Janey wrote:

Tracie-Milly-Moos Mum wrote:Just found out the fella went to A and E so will have to see if anything comes of it

Well keep an open mind, how did they find that out?

Caryll wrote:

Tracie-Milly-Moos Mum wrote:Just found out the fella went to A and E so will have to see if anything comes of it

Might just be cause he wanted an anti-tetanus jab. That's the first thing I'd do, whether I was going to report it or not.

Might be an idea for him to write down exactly what happened so that everything is fresh in his mind if naything does come of it. There's nothing worse than having to rack your brains for details a few weeks after the event!

Janey someone who is a mutual mate told him.

And Caryll i have told him to write everything down Thanks for that.

writing it down is a fab idea! .. i had a similar accident with my previous staffy only it was with a owner and his dog .. he didnt have his dog on a lead and let it run straight up to my dog who i was just getting out of the car and my dog went for his .. he tried to report my dog but because we wrote every last detail down for the police aswell as a handy cctv camera that caught it, my dog was fine ..
i dont think your friend should be worried but deffo write it down encase.

staffy-lover89 wrote:writing it down is a fab idea! .. i had a similar accident with my previous staffy only it was with a owner and his dog .. he didnt have his dog on a lead and let it run straight up to my dog who i was just getting out of the car and my dog went for his .. he tried to report my dog but because we wrote every last detail down for the police aswell as a handy cctv camera that caught it, my dog was fine ..
i dont think your friend should be worried but deffo write it down encase.

How legislation currently stands (though its likely to be changing soon) if a dog is on the lead then in the case of dog-on-dog fights the dog off-lead is seen as 'dangerously out of control in a public place'. However this doesn't really apply to humans, if a dog bites a person it is different. The fact he was on the lead may help your friend's defence somewhat, however she/he will still be liable legally. I think it would be good for your friend to go round to this man's house or at least phone him to show they are concerned and that they are taking this seriously.