Advice: Been bitten by a dog

nmm

Hi, just after some advice as i'm not sure if the law has changed yet or not. On Thursday I was delivering a parcel to a property, its a farm with a dirt road leading to it. As I walked towards the house a dog came charging at me and started attacking the parcel, the owner called him off then the dog ran away round the corner. The owner came over to sign for the parcel as I handed him the handheld to sign, the dog came running back and bit me on the back of my leg. It started bleeding so I asked for something to cover it so I could get to hospital, one hole was very deep with grunge coming out of it. He came back after a few minutes with some plasters and was just smirking and saying sorry, my OH was not impressed as it was no laughing matter. I got to A&E, had the wound cleaned and dressed, given a tetanus booster and some antibiotics.

I contacted the police who took the details and visited the owner, he gave him advice on how to secure his dog and told him it'll be reported to the RSPCA if anything happens again. TBH I don't think this was enough as the owner really wasn't fussed that his dog had just bitten me, there were also 2 other people there who never came over or said anything. There is no gate or signs on the farm, they have lots of animals that just run free cats, chickens, ducks etc and it leads directly to a main road, I just worry that it'll happen to someone else. I don't know what else I can do, everyone keeps saying I should make a claim, but I don't know if there's any point. Here is a photo of my injury in case anyone wants to see it, taken 24 hours after it happened when I changed the dressing.

Sorry for the long post, I look forward to any advice from more knowledgeable people

geri1965_2

As far as I know the law hasn't changed yet, and if the incident occurred on private land, then no action can be taken under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

You could think about pursuing a civil claim for personal injury. The owner would have a duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act to ensure the safety of visitors to his premises, and also a common law duty of care.

Katiehound

The law is changing...think it could be in May, has received the Royal Assent, and it would be applicable in this case. No help to you I'm afraid.
If it happened with Royal Mail- which I assume this didn't- the property can be "blacklisted"- occupants then have to collect their mail from the sorting office.

Of course if you want to make it public to alert others to the danger you could contact the local press.

nmm

Thanks for the replies, correct not royal mail just a courier, but I've told them I'm not going to that property again.

zaksmum

That looks nasty.

Hope you're ok

Big_Tree

No wonder the guy was laughing........'Can I have a plaster please?'

Make sure it happens to no one else? More like try and get a claim for 'pain and suffering'.

Your little scratch isn't that bad, it'll be gone in a week or two....move on forget about it.

Hillbilly2

I'm a bit confused - the police would not report anything to the RSPCA with respect to a dog bite! The RSPCA would noly be interested if there was animal cruelty.

nmm

AFAIK, you always report dog bites to the police? The farm in question has been done in the past for animal cruelty so maybe that's why he mentioned it.

Bigjock, I would be mortified if it was my dog, I certainly wouldn't find it funny. I also have 3 holes in my leg, hardly a scratch and it was over 5 miles to the nearest hospital so yes I asked for something to cover the wound. I'm not fussed about making a claim, we're not all part of the "compensation culture"

Katiehound

Hope it heals up soon.
I would be very tempted to contact a local paper, of course this may not be the first time such a thing has happened at that property.
Yes, if it was my dog I would be very worried.Sounds like they don't care either for animal or human welfare. I think an example like this is the very reason that new laws are coming in as it will look upon the drive as a public rather than a private place.

custardy

BigJockKnew wrote: »

No wonder the guy was laughing........'Can I have a plaster please?'

Make sure it happens to no one else? More like try and get a claim for 'pain and suffering'.

Your little scratch isn't that bad, it'll be gone in a week or two....move on forget about it.

Classic response of a dog lover.
I like dogs,however the idea that a dog biting someone is something to be shrugged off, is unacceptable.

janeys

I am a postie and have had the misfortune of being bitten before it is a very traumatic experience regardless of the extent of the injuries, they are very painful and can be slow to heal I hope you make a quick recovery. The law in Scotland is different to the rest of the U.K. Here is the legislation. I know you are not concerned about making a claim and the owner might be under the false impression that you can't make a claim which is why they laughed but it might be that they only pay attention when the authorities are involved. I take it you are not in a union? In which case there are a number of no win no fee solicitors, some who specialise in dog bites in Scotland, who would take the case. If you don't want the money pursue the claim and donate it to the sspca. If you do claim go to the local sorting office as to speak to the manager and see if they have any documentation from the local postie to support your claim. Good luck, I hope whatever you do you find 'closure' as I know how these things can play on your mind and conscience.