'Dangerous dogs' - should I report?

David__P_3

zaksmum wrote: »

Did the dogs actually do anything or is it the fact that they came out of their house that scared you? You say they walked around your daughter...were they avoiding her, or were they growling and aggressive?

I thought i'd made it clearer than the original post, but basically they ran across the road. I walked faster seeing this (whilst holding my daughter's hand) but they quickly caught up with us. They were both growling, and continued to do so as their owner walked them back to the house.

I appreciate that (thankfully) nothing happened, and that is why I am deliberating as to whether or not a complaint is necessary.

zaksmum

David__P wrote: »

I thought i'd made it clearer than the original post, but basically they ran across the road. I walked faster seeing this (whilst holding my daughter's hand) but they quickly caught up with us. They were both growling, and continued to do so as their owner walked them back to the house.

I appreciate that (thankfully) nothing happened, and that is why I am deliberating as to whether or not a complaint is necessary.

Seems the owner was negligent in allowing them to get out of the house but it is easy enough for this to happen - my own dogs have got out when a door was left open in error.

Fortunately these dogs didn't attack - if they'd wanted to, they would.

The owner apologised. I'd have a word with him and ask him to make sure it doesn't happen again rather than report him.

Bluemeanie_2

David__P wrote: »

OK, thanks for your replies. Is there a specific number to make an anonymous call? I'm also not entirely sure what number the house is, but I can find that out. I assume all the investigators need is the house number?

I work in this field and we don't waste ours or the taxpayers time investigating anonymous complaints. To take any action we would need evidence, a witness statement from someone willing to go to court. So I wouldn't bother reporting it to anyone unless you are willing to stand by what you report.

zaksmum

Bluemeanie wrote: »

I work in this field and we don't waste ours or the taxpayers time investigating anonymous complaints. To take any action we would need evidence, a witness statement from someone willing to go to court. So I wouldn't bother reporting it to anyone unless you are willing to stand by what you report.

But there's not really anything much to report, is there?

I don't think the authorities would be very interested if they got a complaint saying two dogs got out of their house when a door was accidentally left open, walked around a man and his daughter, did absolutely nothing and were removed and taken back into their house sixty seconds later by their apologetic owner...!

Bluemeanie_2

zaksmum wrote: »

But there's not really anything much to report, is there?

I don't think the authorities would be very interested if they got a complaint saying two dogs got out of their house when a door was accidentally left open, walked around a man and his daughter, did absolutely nothing and were removed and taken back into their house sixty seconds later by their apologetic owner...!

No we wouldn't call that dangerous!

unholyangel

David__P wrote: »

How so? I would also like to point out something which I didn't include in the original post, and that is that I myself am a dog owner. This is not just a knee jerk reaction from someone who hates animals, far from it, in fact.

Dog owner doesnt really mean anything. I know dog owners who are afraid of every other dog except for their own dog (and perhaps a family members or friends that they've known for years). I know plenty of dog owners who love dogs but are petrified of rotties, german shepards, staffies etc, or they demonise those breeds and think they're nasty.

Were the dogs moving fast or slow?

backchat

A few people here seem to think because you and your daughter were not actually harmed then it is not worth reporting. I have been a dog owner for a good number of years and have been the victim of one such incident as you describe. My dog was attacked and was lucky not to be more seriously hurt .
You must report the incident. It could have been very serious for you both. If it happens again (whatever his excuse) the next person or child may not be so lucky. What would have happened to a child on their own if they had become frightened and started running. You will never forgive yourself if someone gets seriously hurt or worse. Better safe than sorry. I would definitely report it

Bluemeanie_2

backchat wrote: »

A few people here seem to think because you and your daughter were not actually harmed then it is not worth reporting. I have been a dog owner for a good number of years and have been the victim of one such incident as you describe. My dog was attacked and was lucky not to be more seriously hurt .
You must report the incident. It could have been very serious for you both. If it happens again (whatever his excuse) the next person or child may not be so lucky. What would have happened to a child on their own if they had become frightened and started running. You will never forgive yourself if someone gets seriously hurt or worse. Better safe than sorry. I would definitely report it

If you're going to report it, I wouldn't waste your time doing it anonymously though.

unholyangel

backchat wrote: »

A few people here seem to think because you and your daughter were not actually harmed then it is not worth reporting. I have been a dog owner for a good number of years and have been the victim of one such incident as you describe. My dog was attacked and was lucky not to be more seriously hurt .
You must report the incident. It could have been very serious for you both. If it happens again (whatever his excuse) the next person or child may not be so lucky. What would have happened to a child on their own if they had become frightened and started running. You will never forgive yourself if someone gets seriously hurt or worse. Better safe than sorry. I would definitely report it

To be fair, how would that work in practice if everyone reported every encounter with a dog that caused them fear or alarm? Fear isnt always rational. And I suspect most people would feel at least a little intimidated/wary at 2 rotties bounding over. They are huge strange/unknown dogs that are more powerful than adults. Theres more of a fear factor there compared to 2 lhasa apsos for example because rotties pose a much greater threat IF they were to attack.

See, size does matter :rotfl:

Seriously though, there needs to be a balance between not overreacting or misunderstanding the situation and being proactive in reporting an attack waiting to happen.

Despite a lot of people who have witnessed an attack saying it came from nowhere, there are certain telltale signs of a possible fight (between 2+ dogs) or attack (on a human - adult or child).

A call to the dog warden would be the better option imo. Their number should be on your local council's website. They usually keep files so if the dogs have a history, they'll be aware of it already. If not, they'll likely take no action until they receive several complaints - so that people may say anonymous if they wish - before they even approach the dog owner.

meritaten

would you have been so scared if they had been Jack Russells or Yorkies? and wanted to report the owner? The dogs got out and the owner at least realised they had and retrieved them. The dogs apparently didn't growl or show any signs of aggression. so what are you going to report? Dangerous dogs? how were they dangerous? just by being Rottweilers? I think you will get short shrift for simply reporting two dogs who momentarily escaped their home. unless you can say they were aggressive (which they clearly weren't), then I think you are overreacting.