Although ive read many post's on here, never thought i'd be posting a thread asking for help...Over 4 weeks ago I was leaving work with my GSD's and my friend. My friend had hold of my girl I had the male both on leads...When I locked up I heard children shouting Ive just gotta stroke them. Never thought for 1 minute they ment my dogs. Anyway the mother got out of the jeep after the kids had cum upto me and the male dog. She said they had GSD's and after I said well I wouldnt be without mine...My dog turned around and jumped up at me cause he was unsure of the situation as I fell backwards then got my balance to push him down the teenage girl grabbed him by the kneck whilst he was up on his hind legs so he turned around quick to see who grabbed him. Well he caught her on the nose and blood was pooring from it I thought he had butted her with turning around so quick and I told my friend to get a cloth from the van she had witnessed the incident. I apologised to the mother and she put her hand on me to reasure me it was alright. I asked her to come to my shop to let me know if the girl was alright. She never did. After 4 weeks I had a visit from the police to ask for my side then I recieved a phone call at 5pm today to ask me to turn up monday at the police station to be interviewed under caution. Depending on my statement then they was going to proceed to see if legal action is to be taking against me and my dog. My dog's are insured but when I asked them If I was covered for legal assistance they said no but covered for liability.

Please If anyone know's of a good solicitor in cheshire area who deal's with these kind of incidents I would appreciate any help. Im at my wits end. My dog is nearly 6years old never been involved in any incidents.

Many Thanks

I can't recommend anyone in your area but there are examples on here where people have recommended http://www.doglaw.co.uk/ run by trevor cooper.

Good luck, that is my worst nightmare.  I hope everything turns out ok for you.

Look up Trevor Copper on the internet, he has a good website, where you can send an email.
This is so unfair, you must be worrid sick.
I wish you all the best. Please let us know what happens.

Definitely call Trevor Cooper, he has a phone line (costs money but worth it) and will be able to give you advice and may also be able to suggest a local solicitor for you. He's the man with the most experiences in cases like this. Sounds like your dog did absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever! What a world we live in. :(

A worrying time for you. Had a incident some years ago, a friend and behaviourist suggested that I get in contact with Dr Rodger Mugford. Wishing you all the very best, let us know how you get on.

Four weeks to make a complaint - ridiculous! You now have only their word about how much damage was caused and have not been in a position to take photos. Then they only give you a very short time in which to attend an interview, I dont think you should go until you have legal advice or support.

The two people suggested should be contacted, if they can't help there are more behaviourists out there who do legal work.

Do your dogs have any achievements like Good Citizen/Pat dog? That should help things in your favour. Good Luck

I definitely agree with getting in touch with Trevor Cooper. Another avenue might be to contact Ann Harpwood of Justice For Dogs Tel 01544 370213. They offer free legal assistance, however I think there is a small membership fee.

I know it's easy for me to say, but at this stage I would not panic too much. My friend regularly carries out interviews under caution, and quite often when she has heard the owner's side of the story, things don't go any further. Although you don't have much time, try and take with you evidence from neighbours, vet, etc re your dog's temperament and general behaviour. As someone else mentioned, if you have undertaken any formal training, ie Good Citizen, take details of this. In fact take with you anything whatsoever that will portray you as a responsible dog owner, and your boy as a friendly well behaved dog. If you have not undertaken any training, it might be an idea to find a reputable trainer in your area (look at apbt website) and try and have a chat with them, with a view to starting to attend their training classes.

What you MUST get across is that you are a responsible owner, who now you are aware that an injury occurred, are taking the matter very seriously. If you try and brush it off that it is totally the girl's fault, if the interview is anything like the ones my friend carried out, then it will reflect very poorly on you and they may decide to take the matter further.

Good luck.

Thank you everyone for all the contact details - Much appreciated. I will be contacting them before attending the police station. I am a responsible dog owner and Ive owned GSD's for the last 20yrs. I have done obedience competition's with him when he was younger and done good citizen awards. We also attended a training club. I was worried sick when this incident occured and asked for the mother to let me know how she was. But it turned out she is the landlady of the shop next door and told them she was taking it any further. At the time I just thought he had banged her nose with her being same height as him but the police said he caught her with his tooth aswell. Ive not seen any photo's of the injury or the family. The police officer who came to see me said if it had been him dealing with it, it wouldve been dealt with in a different manner. And asked if i had the dog at the shop and he would assess him. The dog wasnt there.  He then rang me to tell me I had to turn up for a formal interview under caution. Omg that's well and truly kicked of my IBS lol.

Will keep you all updated. Thanks again.

> grabbed him by the kneck whilst he was up on his hind legs

The injuries that she sustained would have been alot worse if she had grabbed me by the neck, the law is an .... and people and children should start to think and take some responsibility for their actions. As a child I was always told, don't stare at a dog, rush up to one, frighten or stroke  one without asking & basicly if you get bitten it's more that likely to be your fault. Good luck.

I agree with you Lacey.

When I was 5 I got nipped on the nose by a dog in a van. I stuck my head in to say hello. When I went indoors crying I was told it served me right & got no sympathy from my parents.

Years ago I was in a pub with a friend, over age of 18 at the time and there was the most placid Rottie that came in. My friend encouraged it to get up on the sofa next to her and then she messed about with it and she had food in her hand. It went for the food and she moved and it caught her on the nose. Owner mortified, landlord not happy and barred the dog.. My friend put her hands up and said it was her fault as she had food and that is all the dog wanted. The dog obviously was then looked at in a different light :-(, I still loved him, big sook he was..

>> When I was 5 I got nipped on the nose by a dog in a van. I stuck my head in to say hello. When I went indoors crying I was told it served me right & got no sympathy from my parents.

eeeh, back in the good old days lol.  I probably would have got a skelp from my parents in addition to being told it was my own fault.

Well said Lacy, why do people think it's aceptable to touch other peoples dogs? If we went up to other people and put our arms round their necks, it would totally unaceptable.

hope you are ok. How did you get on?

I rang Ann Harpwood at Justice for Dog's this morning...She gave me some very useful information. Im waiting on the police to ring me 10pm tonight to arrange for the interview. Ann said cause the girl grabbed my dog by the neck she assaulted him. And the fact he was on the lead he wasnt out of control. She said im to ask for the duty solicitor to be present and the witness, also im to ask for the photo's of any injuries. She also thought it was unacceptable for the police to be ringing me at 10pm at night. Apparently the police have 6mths to do investigations. Im just worried for my boy I've had him since he was a pup and he's 6 next month. He's never been in bother of any sort. Will keep you updated. Thanks for all the support.

Hi,

Just a thought but it would help if you can write down everything that happened and was said at the time. It will be easier for you to do this now while you are fairly calm rather than when you get to the station and are understandably nervous. If you can try to write it as a statement that simply recalls the facts you will have something to refer to during the interview. How many times have we all wished we had said this or that?
Good luck and try not to worry too much(difficult I know)

Kind Regards

It is a good idea to write it all down. I hope you feel a bit better after speaking to Ann.
This was an accident, your dog showed no aggression at all, and you have behaved with politeness and concern for this girl which her and her mother do not deserve.

I expect they are hoping for some compensation :(

Just to add my support.  I have fingers crossed that things will sort themselves for you.

Years ago I had my nose bleeding after a Boxer dog caught his tooth on my nose and pulled.  Brought tears to my eyes, but at the time, I realised that it was me that had gotten him over excited.  It was an accident, not an attack.  And that sounds as if it is most definitely the case for your boy.

I do think it's important that you are allowed to make that point when you attend this interview.  That your dog wasn't actually assaulting this person.

Have you, when you are out on walks with you dog, ever come into contact with police dog handler. They will, I have found usually have a chat,especially if they are working with a GSD. If you have,mention this. You mentioned you have a shop. If your dog is there with you, does he come into contact with members of the public. If he does and is ok meeting strangers,also use this as apoint in his favour. Ask neighbours and anyone else with whom your dog regularly comes into contact if they would be prepared to write a good "reference" for you. Any dog owner you know should be prepared to do this for you. There but for the grace of god go I"(all of us) as the saying goes!
Too many people these days are trying to make a quick buck from personal injury claims. This is probably the case here,otherwise,why wait so long before making a complaint?
If your dog is ok with strangers,take him with you if you have to go to the police station. I would have no hesitation in taking mine along with me.
Perhaps if everyone on here could hold a 2minute "think in" say, 8pm tonight to block this action from going any further,it might work. This could happen to any of us on here. We use this forum because we love DOGS and not just our chosen breed.
I hope for a good outcome for you. You are a responsible dog owner who has done a lot of good work with your dog and this deserves recognition. Have you contacted Trevor Cooper as others have suggested?  

> Perhaps if everyone on here could hold a 2minute "think in" say, 8pm tonight to block this action from going any further,it might work. This could happen to any of us on here. We use this forum because we love DOGS and not just our chosen breed.
>

I like this, count me in.

Hope things go ok for you and you get someone sensible to hear your point of view.  i also think that they should repremand this woman complaining for trying to get your dog in serious trouble.  Got everything crossed for you.

Why is nothing ever just an accident anymore? This girl was a teenager - she should have known better than grab any dog around the neck and if she doesn't then her mother needs to have a word with her - better late than never! I hope all goes well with your interview but stand your ground - remember they were in the wrong, not you. You apologised at the time for the accident - they can expect no more than that.

Just wanted to leave a comment adding my support really.

I was nipped on the face by a doberman a year back, it was an over excited youngster and I bent down at the wrong time - my own spaniel busted my nose with an over enthusiastic greeting one morning - accidents happen, and as a teenager and part of a family that own GSD's she really should have known better.

I hope this all gets sorted out sharpish x

How did the phone call go??? ( I do agree that 10pm at night is an odd time to be arranging stuff)

That's the problem though isn't it - it's never anyones fault anymore it's so easy to look to blame others and take no responsibility for your own actions.  This girl was not young and should have thought before she acted.

Why is nothing ever just an accident anymore?

I so agree, because clearly, that's exactly what this is.

I am so sorry this is happening, and want to wish you (and your dog) all the very best :)
You've had some great advice from Champdoggers, and Justice for Dogs; I am sure it will really help.

Lindsay
x

Thinking of you and hoping for a sensible outcome. I'm afraid in this day and age with all the adverts on the TV they are probably looking at compensation and not thinking how much heart ache they are putting you through.

Would it be possible to claim against them saying the girl was in the wrong and her actions have caused distress to both you and your dog. Were there any witnesses who could back you up?

I wonder why they have only ust gone to the police - I would have thought any inuries from the accident would have long gone.

Good luck.

I agree-
if my actions as a mother had put my children at risk - as in this case -then I  would be mortified. Some people need to take more responsibility !

Jules. Please let us know how things are going. All the best and thinking of you.

It means alot to me for all the support Ive had from champdoggers lol Thank you all. Here's an update - Police didnt ring at 10pm lastnight like he said he would. But he did ring tonight at 10pm instead. The policeman dealing with it asked had I recieved advice I told him yes I have and im willing to attend for an interview if he could arrange for the duty solicitor to be present at the time of me arriving at the police station. I also told him Ive prepared a statement of fact and the witness has aswell. And could he have any photo's of any injury caused present. I seemed to take him by surprise cause he said it's been takin outta context and its gone further than it should have and that Im not being arrested but interviewed under caution and I replied well If its going to be takin further and If Im arrested then its best the solicitor be present. He asked again who had I taken advice from to which I replied Ann Harpwood at Justice for Dog's and the The Dog Warden Services. He said he would ring me tomorrow night at 10pm to give me a time to arrive one evening next week for the interview as he was on shifts 2pm till midnight and it would be during that time. And he wasnt sure whether the duty solicitor would be present or whether he has to ring them when I arrive for the interview. It begger's believe. Im prepared with my statement, photo's of my boy with his good citizen's certs and his shield and rossette when he won his obedience comp. Ive letters of people who have known my dog since he was a pup. Im past the upset stage just annoyed now. If I do get arrested I will be getting intouch with trevor cooper, if I have a solicitor at this stage i'd have to pay upto £200 an hour. Ann Harpwood gave me some very good advice and I would recommend anyone if they have any sort of incidents with there dog's to get intouch with her.

Will keep you all updated.
Jules

Hi Jules, good to hear you have the fighting spirit going, we are all thinking of you.

I have been watching this story with interest as recently something similar to this happened to my daughter a couple of weeks ago, although it didn't go as far. She has a 9 month pup and she took it to watch her little boy play in a  local football match, it is part of socialising the pup to take it to as may events as poss. The dog was very good except when the ball was kicked to the side of the pitch near where they were standing, and being a pup he lunged at the ball. ( this was 10 mins into the match ) They moved the pup further away and didn't think any more about it until half time. The mother of the opposing team member that was trying to prevent the ball going over the line stormed up and said that the pup had bitten her son. They said sorry but they didn't think the pup had made any contact with the ball let alone her son. They asked if anyone had seen the pup bite the boy and no one thought the pup had been anywhere near the boy. Anyway the boy ( bearing in mind he played the rest of the first half without complaint to anyone) didn't play for about 20 mins and just sat snivelling, he then continued the game. The opposing team all stood in the car park intimidating my daughter and her husband to the point they were concerned they would be prevented from getting to the car. A few days later they had a call from the police asking about the attack, and my daughter explained that it is a pup that jumped at the ball and was not trying to bite anyone. Luckily the policeman was a dog handler and said that when he was training his gsd he had a similar problem with his dog wanting to chase balls so fully understood the problem. He also said that he had called round to the woman unannounced on a Saturday to see the injury ( she supposedly had had to take the child to the hospital) but the boy was out playing and she couldn't show him the bite, and he said she was quite on edge because he had called round as if she was caught in a lie. The case was dropped but the policeman did say that there are more and more claims of dog bites because of all the news stories and people wanting compensation.
By the way the opposing team lost 9-0 could that have been the cause of the snivelling ! But it is frightening how some people can claim these things and cause upset to our normal family pets showing no sign of aggression, but the dog is always thought of as guilty.

Why don't you call Trevor Cooper today as you can get advice over his phone advice line, and will then be able to say you have got a solictor's advice as opposed to "just" Ann Harpwood? All you've got to lose is a few pounds on your phonebill.
0906 515 1108 during office hours Monday to Friday. Calls cost £1.50 per minute from a BT landline.
Good luck!

Sounds like you put him on his toes lol.  He can't have the easy life now.  I would object to him ringing you at 10pm, if he starts his shift at 2pm there's no reason why he can't call you at sensible time.  Did he say why he had to leave it another week to get in touch.

Its not fair on you him not dealing with it.  I think it will die a death (so to speak).  I would look at persuing them for distress to you and your dog, they might think twice then.

I seemed to take him by surprise cause he said it's been takin outta context and its gone further than it should have and that Im not being arrested but interviewed under caution

Hi Jules, Glad you found Ann good.

I can understand you being annoyed, but if it were me I would try and keep on the right side of the Policeman who is carrying out the Interview. As mentioned previously, my friend regularly carries out "interviews under caution" and they are usually a means for the Authorities to determine what kind of dog owner they are dealing with. It is also your opportunity to explain exactly what happened, show yourself to be a responsible owner, and provide evidence of your dogs training/character. My friend has said that they are duty bound to follow up a complaint, but most of the time consider it to a total waste of time and resources.

With regard to the time of the call and delay for them to interview you, as upsetting and worrying as the incident is to you, I suppose as far as the Police are concerned it is very low priority. If they really felt your dog was a danger to the public, they would be knocking on your door NOW.

Good luck and keep us posted.

well done Jules, you are handling this situation very well. If you have good cits certificates would your trainer write your dog a reference? Let us know how you get on.

Goldie....
that was an excellent post and I would have loved to hear that advice a couple of years ago when I had problems of a similar nature - a similarly minor incident. You are quite right when you say if the police really believed your dog was a menace to society, they would be pounding on the door within days not weeks. It was 6 weeks before I got called down to the Cop Shop to give a cautioned statement.

I did exactly as Goldie suggested, and I did not have a solicitor present. On my statement I outlined all the training I had done with my dog, including KCGCS - no certificates (they had been lost) but made sure I told the interviewing officer that it was all checkable, and gave the names of three trainers in the area who knew my dog, saying they could be contacted if checks were needed.

At the end of the day, how else can the police tell the difference between truly responsible owners and those who really don't give a damn....? Not on the doorstep or in the street, that is for sure.

Yes, it was scary, terrifying, and nothing I would ever wish to happen again (or to anyone else!) BUT that interview was, for me, a chance to prove my dog was well-trained and owned by a responsible person, not an idiot.

It toughened me up a bit, and made me a little more careful, and made me much more aware of current dog law. But also gave me confidence that I am still doing what I always set out to do - be a good dog owner and be as responsible as I possibly could.... Accidents, as they say, can happen in the best run families.... but if you are a well run family then I guess the accidents are easier to deal with.

Thanks MsTemeraire. It helps when you have friends who are the one's that carry out the interviews. Fortunately I have never been in this situations, but have helped a few who have with very sound advice from my friends "in the know".

How have things turned out with this?   Is there any news?
Hope that its been quietly put to bed ie no news is good news....??

I apologised to the mother and she put her hand on me to reasure me it was alright  Did I read this right, she reasured you all was alright? She says all is right but then complains and you get a visit 4 weeks later- thats Bull****! Fingers crossed for you and I hope all turns out for the good- Best of luck :-)

When I was younger prob about 3-4yrs old I was going to the grocery store with my mom and there was a lil dog tied up outside with no one around- I darted off from my mom and went to see the lil one, it was fine I was petting it then when I moved to go with my mom it lunged at me and bit me right on the face- I ended up at the hospital, no scarring which was good but lots of blood... Sorry to say I think the dog was pts since it did do this b4 and the lady I believe was told NOT to leave it tied up outside stores and unattended. Thankfully no scarring on my face. Thier were people around so they witness it- mom said the dog seemed real nice and playful wagging tail until I stood up to leave- weird- feel sorry for the dog now since it was the owners fault. I no with lil kids they just don't listen n you can turn ur back and they already off petting the dog- I have told mine no petting unless asking permission and even caught them sometimes running up to people with dogs but now they are older they do no better.

Then at 4-5yrs old our neighbour had a rotti don't no where they got it but it was an older dog- no puppy, never told us anything- we were always welcomed in their yard cause our horses were boarded there. I was taking their kitten back home (they were looking for it) and knocked on their door to return it and I remember turning around and this dog bit my right hand, was prob going to pet it cause I loved animals. Thankfully it could have been much worse- I ended up with stitches and a very sore hand and still have the scar. Later found out they got the dog for gaurding and never said a word to our grandma to keep my sister and I home, we lived with our grandma. Not sure what happened to the dog but it wasn't there the next day.

Hi Everybody...Just an update. Its not been put to bed yet. I had a missed call on monday from the police to say he would ring back tuesday to arrange for me to be interviewed. Im still waiting ive not heard from them. I guess there not in any rush to get this over and done with, can only be agood thing for me and my boy. I wasnt sure whether to ring them and get it over and done with. Its just my nerves are going at the thought of it.

Once again thanks for all your support.

Jules

Great to have an update Jules.   Thanks.   I think that if they felt it serious, they would be in more of a hurry to do something about it.
Keep us in the loop - hopefully there wont be anything to report!

Has it been sorted yet?

If it has, hope it was good news.

I certainly hope it has. Ok the police aren't in any rush so chances are, they are just dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's on their forms which they have got to do but leaving you in limbo land with no early chance of putting it behind you isn't good. If its not going anywhere, which it sounds like it isn't, it should be done and dusted.

ive been reading though this with my mouth open! i also have gsd's 5 of them and if these stupid ppl knew anything about this breed they would just run up to pet it (and they have the same breed :-O...) my hubby walks 4 at a time and like yours very frendly but they are protective of ther family too ,ive been knocked to the ground with mine just playing ,no way was this your boys fault!! he did nothing wrong at all.
just wanted to to know you have my support and plz let us know how its going (((huz))) xx