Need advice please

Hi everyone, I have just joined and I am in need of advice and this forum is the only place where people understand about Staffordshires.  I am the owner of two female staffies and an incident occurred last week with my three year old female Roxie.  I was in my front garden with the two dogs and turned my head for a second and she had ran down the front stairs and got out the gate, the gate was shut but had obviously been left unlatched by postman as he had been last in.  There were a couple standing at next doors gate with a pram with twins and a Yorkshire terrier.  Roxie (according to the other owner) ran down wagging her tail and shaking her rear end, she loves attention.  As I got out gate she was on the other dog, the male owner grabbed her by collar and was pulling her and full force kicking her (I am not being naive I understand this as faced with same situation I would probably do the same) however as soon as my dog unlatched, after approx five seconds he proceeded to lift her over his head by her collar and full force throw her up ten of my front garden stairs and then said he would be back to chop her head off, all witnessed by my eleven year old daughter who was screaming.  I paid £250 for the dog to be treated straight away, the female owner returned to the scene and told me her dogs eye wasn't going to be saved and its eat was ripped apart.  She then showed me a small scratch on her shin saying my dog had done it trying to get through her legs.  She asked for my details and I gave her them.  When her dog was released next day (Fri) I texted to ask how dog was and received no reply.  The area I stay in is really bad but I keep myself to myself, I'm a St Andrews University student with kids.  They posted all over Facebook and there were threats to my dog although she is not named but the breed is, also saying they phoned police and they were advised it was a civil matter because it was dog on dog.  I then called police as I was afraid for my families safety and my dogs, I was told to not pay any more money as I had done more than other owners would have.  I got a text on Sat saying the dogs eye was possibly coming out, its ear was ripped to pieces, mouth all stitched up, other ear displaced and it was going to cost me a bomb and they would let me know when they needed antibiotics and painkillers as they weren't paying.  I ignored it under police advice and they sent same text three more times.  The next text then said if I kept ignoring them they were going to get the bill and ram it down my throat.  I called police back as it was now threatening behaviour.  Next thing I know I had the CID at my door on Mon morn formally charging me, I had to even ask what that meant as I have never been in any sort of trouble.  When they read the charge out it was said my dog bit her too, which is untrue.  I have contacted a solicitor also.  I am terrified to leave my house because the public unrest through fb.  Another post went up today about my dogs and me.  They also put a photo of their dog up and it doesn't look anything like they are describing.  Can anyone give me advice or even help if they have been in any similar situation.  I'm scared something will happen to my dogs whether through a vendetta or court.  Sorry for the long post but I am at my wits end xxxx

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Hi & welcome from darcy & me, I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, such an awful thing, I've no personal experience but someone will be along shortly who can help.

Im so sorry you have had this happen. Firstly, NEVER reply to anything they say, but print it out, document it and keep it all with you. Document any abuse you get in person too.

Secondly, call the vets and ask them what the actual cost has been and will be, never give any money to the persons.

Thirdly, if you have no already done so, get your dog microchipped and make sure to either put a sign on your gate saying to make sure it is latched closed, or put a letter box on the gate so noone has any need to actually go onto your yard.

Fourthly, block anyone on facebook who is talking. You will only stress out. I would however ask a friend to come on walks with you or at least walk your dogs in a different area.

The police will not do anything as they will need proof of an actual bite and it is their word against yours, you can always say that your dog attacked her dog but if they meet your dog and she is friendly they have no right to believe that she bit the woman.

Stay calm, and do NOT ever no matter what anyone says hand your dog over without a fight. Noone can legally take your dog apart from the police with a warrent.

Thank you Hayley. I have taken proof of the posts and photos from then social network and kept the texts. I don't want my dog put to sleep, she has never done this before, the fact they had kids with them has been mentioned and they aimed it at that meaning to say she was going for the kids.

Hiya from me and Vinnie, no experience in this sorry but, I do feel for you and it is such an awful thing to happen. All good advice from Hayley and let us know how things go xx

They can not prove he was going for anyone but their rat. Don't back down and don't let them bully you! There is no way your dog will be pts xx

hia from me and sasha  
im sorry i cant really advise you,what a horrible thing for you to have to be going through and for your daughter to witness, please let us know how you get on.

I think Haley has covered most things really, don't hand money out unless you see the bill. I would also put in a counter claim about the mistreatment of your dog by the guy that lifted your dog by the collar and threw him.. I would say that is not reasonable force. Also the fact that you are being harassed online is an offence too so get advice about that.. everyone that is trolling you will be held to account as they are traceable. It's vital you record anything in the way of abuse and try to tape or record anything you think is threatening. Like has been said don't be bullied into anything. Try not to worry too much. Keep us informed.  

I did write out a really long massive reply and then my computer froze don't pay out , don't listen to FB and keep your own actions with the police moving forward

Hi and welcome from me and Daisy  

What a horrible situation to be in, I hope it all gets resolved OK x

Hi I'm so sorry for your trouble, what exactly have you been charged with?

Well anyway, try these people, they give a bit of free advice and will put you right, and at least put you in touch with a doglaw specialist in Scotland

ooooops forgot the link lol here it is


http://www.doglaw.co.uk/

Thanks Tracey!

NP xxx

Thanks to all of you so much I have felt so alone dealing with this xx

Hi and welcome to the forum from Gwen and I! I am so sorry for all you've gone through.

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and I. Im so sorry for the horrible experience you have gone through, and hope it all gets resolved asap.

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

What an awful situation to be in, very sorry I do not have any experience of this, I hope you can get things sorted out soon  

what a horrible situation you have been put in as others have said its very unlikely any action will be taken for putting you girl to sleep as its dog on dog and no real proof she has bitten anyone so im sure you are safe there and no real need to worry about that .
also as been said dont pay them nothing directly.
the police will always courtion you if someone makes a formal complaint it DOESN'T mean they will take it any further.
and you can always get onto fb and make them remove any harasment posts about you or your girl (or threaten legal action)
you could also take out a counter action against the other guy for mistreatment of your girl (im sure the police/rspca may even think this the more serious issue)
but anytime you feel you need to talk to someone there will allways be someone around on the forum that will be able to listen:)   

Thankyou so much for your kind words. I feel when you are an owner of a staffy then the most support you receive is from other owners. The guy posted my address on his fb page last night, I have informed the police. I am so terrified of backlash and vendettas against me and my Roxie x

Welcome to the forum!

Ah situations like this make my blood boil...Over reacting and exaggerating and lying people!! So your dog did these things??? or is she making them up? Ask for proof of the injuries and get as many witnesses as you can to say that it wasn't an attack. Get him done for animal cruelty. If your dog was displaying no signs of aggression, and he lobbed her down the stairs, contact RSPCA or something! Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence under Animal Welfare Act 2006 section 4 (1) !!! You should take action against him. Also, he is committing Protection from Harassment Act 1997 if he is harassing you and section 4 (a) Public Order act 1986 if he is causing you harassment alarm or distress through writing, words and behaviour. Don't give them any money, do it through a representative who can check the costs etc. And about the lady, its your words against hers, if she has no visible marks then what proof does she have??? But keep a watch out as some crafty people harm them selves to make it look like another did it so if u see mysterious marks on her, keep a log of when and where!!

I don't believe your dog will be taken away as the dog is not aggressive (if you say) and it was dog on dog. Also check it was a CID as it could be an undercover person for the other party so always check for ID as it sounds unlikely a CID will come round for a dog scuffle :/

Good luck with your case, keep fighting!! stay safe!!

Thankyou so much, esp for pointing out all the laws. I know for deffo my Roxie didn't bite her and even considered she may have self harmed to make it look like she did. If she has I will be asking for medical records, dates and for measurements to be taken of the wound and then compared to Roxies jaw span and teeth. I haven't been eating or sleeping well, felt so alone. I will not give up fighting legally for my girl, I have children and she is perfect with them, no one is getting to harm or take my baby away. Its the personal fight I am scared off, the repercussions. Xx

Welcome to the forum from Chiquito and I.

Unfortunately I can't add to what has been written above. I do hope all goes well for you and is sorted quickly.

Hi & welcome to the forum
Hope you manage to get things sorted soon so you can put your mind at rest at get back to enjoying each other soon

Welcome to the forums, don't think there is much more to add than has already been covered. Report any pages to FB especially if they are publicising your address, a few things work a bit differently with Scottish law but if you haven't already done so ask to speak to someone to at least see in the first instance if a harassment warning can be issued to these people if nothing else it won't go well in their favour if they try to pursue the complaint

Did you contact Trevor Cooper? What did he say?

I can't see that you clarified what you've been charged with?

Don't assume this is all going to go away, not trying to rain on your parade, but apart from stuff going on on fb what's happening?

Roxiesmum - what a horrible thing to happen.

You have had some brilliant advice above which I cannot add to, but I just wanted to say that we are all here for you whether you need more advice or simply a shoulder to cry on.

Do let us know how matters progress.  Big (((HUGS))) to you.

zetstaff wrote:Did you contact Trevor Cooper?  What did he say?

I can't see that you clarified what you've been charged with?  

Don't assume this is all going to go away, not trying to rain on your parade, but apart from stuff going on on fb what's happening?

Please come back to us on this - Tracey knows what she's talking about!

as police mentioned dog on dog aint worth antything but what you have to watch out for is that technicaly your dog wasnt under control. doesnt sound like anyone has mentioned this yet so stay shum for now and get a good defence of how the gate was left open by a 3rd party if it does.
in mitigation the * that assaulted your dog could be reported for animal cruelty and inflaming the situation. ignore and save any texts and pass onto the police, if it goes to the bitter end i recomend wheldon law as they are dog law specialists and prob the best in the country

Hi Zetstaff, sorry my heads been all over place. When they formally charged me they said 'on 11th july your dog did attack and bite another dog and bit the owner' its dog out of control, when they asked if I had any reply I denied point blank my girl bit any person/persons. I reported to the police about my home address being posted on fb and they had previously been warned so were being visited again. I have my solicitors appt on Mon but I am going to go to doctors too, this has made me ill as I already suffer from depression and I'm now having panic attacks when my door knocks or if i think about leaving my house. I will email Trevor Cooper today xxx

Roxiesmum wrote:Hi Zetstaff, sorry my heads been all over place.  When they formally charged me they said 'on 11th july your dog did attack and bite another dog and bit the owner' its dog out of control, when they asked if I had any reply I denied point blank my girl bit any person/persons.  I reported to the police about my home address being posted on fb and they had previously been warned so were being visited again.  I have my solicitors appt on Mon but I am going to go to doctors too, this has made me ill as I already suffer from depression and I'm now having panic attacks when my door knocks or if i think about leaving my house.  I will email Trevor Cooper today xxx

Play on that for all you're worth! Make a really big thing about it.

Please try not to panic too much, though. As unlikely as it might seem at the moment, these things often have a way of sorting themselves out.

Good luck hun, please let us know how you get on, and keep your chin up xx

Ive been diagnosed tablets on a weekly basis as doctor is worried about my stress and anxiety and panic attacks, appts every two weeks. Its sick what people can do to each other xx

Unfortunately it is, for you    xx

Roxiesmum, like many of us here, I understand about depression and panic attacks and how a nasty incident of whatever sort can make you feel so much worse. It's great that your doctor is helping you, and Caryll is so right - horrible though you understandably feel it is a point worth stressing.

You have had such brilliant advice and been put in touch with people who can really help you - you must be brave and see this through with everybody's help. Remember that you are not alone in this and the fact that you are taking control of the situation with everyone's help will make you feel so much better in yourself.

chin up, keep calm and carry on! (as they say).

Hoping you are feeling better in yourself, and do let us know how matters progress (if at all?) We are all here for you    

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and the zoo xx

Update - Dog control visited me yesterday and the male owner is now saying my girl bit him too! I am strongly denying this as she did not. They were really nice to me and said they were putting an order on for Roxie to be microchipped within 14 days. I booked her in straight away to be chipped on Friday. There was a witness that knows both parties that didn't want involved but the other owners have mentioned him. His side of the story reflects good on me as he has already spoken to me about it so the warden is visiting him today for a statement. I will find out more tomorrow but the warden has said to me she can see I am a responsible fog owner. Their report will go to the PF too so heres hoping.

Sounds positive, keep us updated

Ignorant people like this are disgusting. I hope it all comes back to bite them on the rear end!

Love and light sent your way to protect you, your children and your Staffs <3

Thanks for the up date - it sound positive for you  

Thanks for the update! Stay positive and try not to drive yourself crazy worrying about this. I know this must be a terrible time for you:( I hope you can get everything sorted out soon and you can put this behind you! Keep us updated!

Glad to read your update - sounds a little more positive for you Do remember to keep us updated