Steps to Take if Your Animal is Attacked by Another Animal.
- Make a note of the offending dog's owner's name and address, together with the dogs name.
- Take names and addresses of any witnesses who might have seen the incident.
- Try to establish the sex of the attacking animal, particularly if more than one animal is owned.
- If your dog needs veterinary treatment, ask for a receipt for fees paid.
- Photograph the injuries immediately and ask your vet/ the attending vet to sign them (the animals fur grows quickly over the scars and the injuries are hard t describe at a later date)
- Inform the police of the attack as soon as possible and request that it be recorded in the Dog Bite Register, giving full details as out-lined in 1-3 above.
- As for an officer to accompany you to the owner's home in order to identify the offending dog(s)
- Show the office the injuries caused to your animal.
If a court case is to be taken out for compensation
for your animals injuries, keep copies of all evidence, photographs and
correspondence. Failing to do this may result in the defendants or their
solicitors destroying your documents or saying they have never received
same.
As far as we can gather the police have the power to prosecute the owner of a dangerous dog under the Dogs Act 1906. Dogs Amendment Act 1928 and Dog Act 1871 with a view to obtaining a control order. Dangerous does not only mean to humans; the fact that the dog chased and injured cattle or poultry will suffice.
It is most important to make sure dog attacks on other dogs (clearly distinct from dog fights) should be recorded in the DOg Bite Register, since we understand that action will only be taken against persistent offenders, i.e. after the 2nd or 3rd incident.
NB Appeal may be made to the County Court against an order for the dog to be destroyed but NOT against an order to keep the dog under control.
