My dog attacked, 18 months on ....

FizzledOut

I have an excitable border collie, she's just 4 years old. 18 months ago she was being walked by my (now ex) husband when she was attacked by an German Shepherd and received a bite through her ear. Woman walking the GS called him away and walked off. Ear recovered, but my BC was badly frightened. Now, she's a very barky dog, bark bark bark, but she's always walked well off lead, we've never had to restrain her. Four weeks later my son was walking her and the same GS went for my BC and pinned her to the ground; she received a bad bite through the shoulder muscle of her front left leg. My son (22 and v sensible), stood over the two dogs telling my BC to "STAY" - until the woman retrieved her GS. He was quite shaken, came home, told me, I reported it to the police.

The bite became very infected, huge course of antibiotics and a scan (BC had to be knocked out) to see if there were anything (tooth etc) in the muscle. Huge bill, thankfully paid by efficient insurance.

Police followed up, visited the woman (my son got her car registration) but decided to take it no further.

TODAY - 18 months on, I'm walking my BC in pouring rain when the woman with her GS and two other small dogs - remember, I have never met this woman - rages at me for reporting her to the police, calls me a bloody liar, says her dog just stood over my dog, over and over calling me a bloody liar. Shouting at me that the police agreed I was a bloody liar. I said, I have the bills from the attack - she's demanded to see them, demanded my phone number and has now sent a text with her address to send the bills to. Ten minutes in pouring rain of being shouted at.

I'm kinda stunned. One, I don't want her having my address which is on the bills. Two, the whole police saying I was lying has made me very angry, and I won't let that one rest. Three - oh, I could go on ....

My first thought is to let the police deal with it - I have the crime number and the officer investigating name, etc, but I think it's all on my computer at work and I'm off now until Jan 13.

Thoughts?

ohmochraich

Report her for verbal abuse and threatening behaviour ( she kindly told you exactly who she is). Tell the police exactly what she said and how she acted. Photocopy your vets bills ( minus your address) if you. Have to.......why does she want them? If they have been paid by insurance already....she sounds unlikely to admit responsibility. Finally get your solicitor to write to her in regards to staying away from your family and dog and also about controlling animals in a public place.
Sounds like they have a guilty conscience..........

FizzledOut

Thanks, I think I will speak to the police in the first instance - I was really quite shaken by this. I was not confrontational at all, I stood my distance and she walked up to me, shouting in my face while both my BC and her GS barked (both on leads). She stomped off saying how I had really upset her - bizarre! She also said the police had told her I'd taken my dog to a student vet and not a proper vet. My vet is The Royal Vet College in Camden; you see a 4th year student first, who leaves the room, gives their prognosis to a fully trained vet who then comes in and makes her own examination. I've been so impressed with every treatment I've had there for both BC and my sadly deceased cat. I tried to say this and she just shouted me down (again saying I'm a bloody liar).

It's truly upset my day .. Thanks for your post x

Fosterdog

I'd be tempted to send her a letter before action asking for her to pay the excess for the injuries to your dog, don't forget to add on something for the cost of travelling to and from vets etc.

The only reason the police would not take it further is because it's a civil matter not criminal. If the dog had bitten a person it would be different but as it bit another dog there is nothing the police can do except make a note in case the dog ever does it again or goes for a person next.

That should shut her up at least, if she offers to pay what you were out of pocket for then let it drop but if she doesn't you can decide whether or not to follow through with small claims court.

FizzledOut

Ooo, stunning bit of advice! Thank you!!!

_Andy_

If it makes you feel any better, you come across as being very calm and rational about it. The woman though from what you've described, sounds like a lunatic. Makes me angry that aggressive idiots like that own a dog.