Tragic event with friend's dog

withabix

olias wrote: »

A member of the public using a fenced off public footpath, and quite legally allowing their dog to run off the leash, cannot reasonably expect to come accross livestock on the path. What are you expected to do as a dog walker? Keep your dog permanantly on the lead just in case you ever come accross livestock loose?

Yes, spot on, absolutely correct. You are required to keep your dog under control where there could be livestock. Only idiots and ignorant owners fail to understand this and fail to keep their dogs under control. Full stop.

If it's not your land, your must assume that there could be livestock there. Simple.

By the way, I am a dog owner.

In fact, I actually have a Patterdale as per the OP. I would NEVER let him off his lead where there could be livestock or other dogs, because of precisely what Patterdale Terriers are bred to do, which is KILL.

mrcol1000

olias wrote: »

To add to the debate!

I have spoken with an RSPCA inspector who has stated that even though the OP could be guilty of an offence under The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, The farmer could also be guilty of a prima facia offence of animal cruelty in that he beat the dog with a stick causing it injury and unneccassary suffering. He only has the right to shoot (instant death, no suffering) if there is no owner present and no reasonable chance of bringing the dog under control.

As I have previously stated, legislation shows that there is fault on both parts in this sad incident

Olias

So the "right" thing for the farmer to do was to shoot the dog dead? I doubt the dog's owner would agree with that. I think the farmer must been very restrained just to beat the dog. I have kicked a dog in the mouth to keep it away from biting my dog. Either of these cases would bring shame on the prosecutor who brought them to court under cruelty. There was a recent prosecution dismissed when an elderly man killed a neighbours dog with a single blow which was constantly straying into his garden and attacking his elderly ill dog.
Owners have a responsiblity to ensure their dog is kept out of trouble else sadly stuff like this happens and their is very little sympathy for you.

kindofagilr

This is insane, the farmer didnt beat the dog he hit it once with a stick! not the same as beating a dog, and yes I believe he was within his rights to do so, god only knows how much the chickens cost, they are his livelyhood and are on his land!

I hate it when I see dog owners walking their dogs in the country off the lease, so many times i've been on a walk through a field that has sheep or other animals in and I see dogs off leads! total disgrace

To the OP though, I am pleased the dog is feeling better, and I am pleased you are still friends with the owner, it must have been quite scary for you.

withabix

Indeed.

For anyone in any doubt, try reading the Country Code:

http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code

Specifically about dogs:

http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code/keep_dogs_under_close_control

lostinrates

kindofagilr wrote: »

I hate it when I see dog owners walking their dogs in the country off the lease, so many times i've been on a walk through a field that has sheep or other animals in and I see dogs off leads! total disgrace.

To be clear, we have sheep in our orchard now, and chickens in anothr half of it. There is no public right of way through there, thank goodness, but I've been trying to imagine how I'd feel if there were. I walk one of our dog through this with stock on t without a lead, its taken sometime to get to this point but with a person there I now trust her. I have seen people walk through fields with shepp in with dogs not on leads but clearly at heel. I don't know how I'd feel if it were my stock, I admit, whether the not leaded but ''under control'' dog would make me feel uneasy. I would not walk the dog I trust at home through other peoples stocked fields not on leds, but I'd walk up to the gate/fence and then fasten her lead on and continue the walk.

I'd not feel confident, myself, nor would I be equipped, to take a shot at a dog I found on my land. I'd also be worried, if a sheep/bird were alive, I'd further inflict ain on them, and I'm not confident I'm a good enough shot to always shoot to kill and frnakly, my shot could also cause pain and suffering. I'm trying to imagine what I would do in the farmer's situation, and I can't.

I have asked people to contain dogs chasing my horses, and been on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse as a result. I'valso been told their dog can't hurt a great big creature like a horse.:rolleyes: I've pointed out a great big creature like a horse can really hurt a dog. On these occasions no issue of shooting or hitting dogs has arisen, as thankfully, the horses in question are pretty dog savvy, but no walker knows that.

YorkiePud_3

I think everyone's pretty divided about this and rather than let it go on forever and cause argument between us all, it may be best to just draw a line under it and hope the puppy is ok.

We could moan about the farmer, we could moan about the OP letting a 9 month old "unruly" pup belonging to someone else be off the lead in an area where there could be traffic and livestock.

We can also moan about the dog not getting vet attention straightaway ...

We all have an opinion and will never agree ... so can't we just heave a sigh of relief that the puppy is still alive and just hope to God that any injury sustained won't affect it badly and it goes on to have a long and safe life.

agent_orange_2

YorkiePud wrote: »

We can also moan about the dog not getting vet attention straightaway ...


.

This is one thing we can't argue about. If you read my original post, you'll see that the dog was seen by the vet within 5 minutes of the incident.

This is taken from my original post
"fortunately the vet's surgery was around the corner. A vet was able to see the dog right away and things are not looking as bad as I had originally feared".

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Perhaps the OP just wanted to tell someone, to express their guilt and fear, and wasn't fishing for a 'there, there bunnikins'. I certainly wouldn't be offering that kind of reply, but I respect the OP's wish to confide in a fairly anonymous fashion.

Where it feels uncomfortable is in their slightly abusive defensive replies, but that can happen when someone already knows they are responsible for an unpleasant event and would rather not be reminded of that. Ultimately, the OP is fully aware of what could have happened and how simple it would have been to avoid it.

I am sure it will never happen again.

YorkiePud_3

agent_orange wrote: »

This is one thing we can't argue about. If you read my original post, you'll see that the dog was seen by the vet within 5 minutes of the incident.

This is taken from my original post
"fortunately the vet's surgery was around the corner. A vet was able to see the dog right away and things are not looking as bad as I had originally feared".

Ah right, then I apologise; I read it wrong, that it had been a day before seeing a vet ... !

agent_orange_2

YorkiePud wrote: »

Ah right, then I apologise; I read it wrong, that it had been a day before seeing a vet ... !

You were probably too busy frothing at the mouth when you read my OP.

I'm only joking;)