I hope the dog doesn't "vanish" before the warrant is implemented. If the owners are convinced the dog is safe are they going to fight it?

Finally the police have implemented the warrant and the dog has been removed to kennels for assessment and to await the court case.
Aileen

That's great news Aileen... really pleased. :)

While I feel for the dog, who after all doesn't know his owners are incompetent, this is the only outcome in the circumstances, which should have been done immediately after the attack. In my opinion, there aren't any excuses for a dog that injures a person to that degree for almost no reason at all... I'm sure the court won't take the owner's explanation lightly either.

I know there have been several cases of dogs seized in your area for "looking like" certain banned breeds, and exepmted... this is definitely a case of Deed not Breed.

Would you pass on my best wishes to the injured lady?

That's a relief.

Good, and to think , it could have all been avoided if the owner had been responsible in the first place.

Thanks for the update, Aileen

Thank goodness action has been taken at last and the dog is now out of the way - what  a relief.

I feel sorry for the dog if this is going to be a long drawn process - it would have been kinder to PTS straightaway, in my opinion.  But at least your friend can now feel safe in her home and walking in the area.

I hope the outcome will be decided soon, for everyone's sake.

WHAT ABOUT VICTIMS COMPESATION.  I believe this is paid out and then the guilty party has to pay the powers that be back, or ahs this changed???

Only pays out if the dog in question was intentionally set on the victim !!
Aileen

Just a general comment.  I've been following along and am dismayed to see this kind of idiocy still prevails, though sadly, not that surprised.  A friend of mine was 30 years ago attacked by a large, heavy dog as she did her evening exercise walk.  It knocked her to the ground, savaged her arms which she had over her face and nearly ripped her shirt off.  She staggered home half naked, bleeding profusely and dazed. 

Her husband rushed her to hospital and then, some hours later, she, her husband and a police officer went to the house where the dog lived.  And that's when they learned the dog's owner had seen the whole thing happen from his living room window.  He did not go out to call off the dog or help my friend.  He denied the attack, saying from his perspective it was a friendly nip.  Meanwhile my friend was standing right in front of him with both her arms extensively bandaged.  !!!!!

Our hospitals must report dog bites to our health of animals branch but the dog did have his rabies shots.  He was quarantined for three weeks but it was a first bite report so he did not have to be destroyed.  I do not know what happened to the dog after that.

I am so sorry for your friend that this continues unresolved.

Thank goodness for that - poor dog of course who didn't ask for such stupid irresponsible owners, but the only safe option alas.

Finally the police have implemented the warrant and the dog has been removed to kennels for assessment and to await the court case.

I wonder how long the assessment takes?  If I were the owner and my dog did not pass the assessment tests, I could not allow a dog I loved to sit in kennels for months awaiting the court date, far kinder to pts, I really could not bare it, the dog cannot help his temperament, he will be so confused and stressed, being taken away.  Hope things are sped up for the dogs sake.

I agree the owner has been very stubborn and not put his dog first, you have to know whether your dog is a danger or not and if the dog is very reactive like this he should have done something.

No winners in this at all........... awful situation.  Hope that your sitter is doing ok, she probably hasn't slept properly since this happened.

Thought you may all like to know the outcome of this case.
The owner once at court pleaded guilty and the dog stayed in kennels for assessment and sentencing. Yesterday they passed sentence.
The dog will be returned to them. It has to be muzzled and on a lead. The garden must be fenced to a height of 6ft min and they have to have airlock doors fitted. The dog has to be neutered and always muzzled around children. All this has to be in place before they have him back. The owners have continually pleaded poverty so it will be interesting to see if they pay for fencing and very expensive doors. Plus the airlock doors are a two door system so space in a smaller house is difficult, plus it is a rented house so not sure how that will be implemented.
I will keep you informed of the outcome.
Aileen

Thanks for updating. Yes I'd wonder as well whether they will do all of this -but they have been given a chance to keep the dog so it's up to them. How is the injured person doing?

She is fine thanks. Happy that no destruction order placed as she would have felt responsible for his death but now if they do not comply it will be their  actions that will cause it to happen.
However she does feel a little bit worried as the dog will (we assume) now be back out on the streets and she will have to learn to live with seeing him every day. I hope they follow the courts rulings though and do not just walk him un-muzzled as I think they may do.
Claire has been awarded  £2500 compensation and the male owner (disabled man) has been tagged and must stay indoors between 6pm - 6am (That's just stupid he is not a thug he is a 60ish man )for 18 months. He is no longer allowed to walk the dog but his wife who is not disabled must do it. They have to pay for a behaviourist and it is his (the behaviourist) responsibility to ensure that the court orders are complied with. He has to ensure the doors and fencing are sorted prior to the dog being released. He has to make an assessment of how the dog is handled from now on. He must make sure the dog is neutered and that she can handle it while walking.
I think the courts have called the female owners bluff (She still maintains the dog is not a danger) and made all these rules to see if she really is the caring owner she maintains. If she does not comply then it will be her fault the dog is PTS.
This story is not over yet
Aileen

That's a lot of rules and money, I wonder if they will comply. Glad the injured lady is recovering.

Sounds like the court came up with the best possible fine under the circumstances. I just hope that nothing else happens as like you say, chances are the owners will not comply with it, at least not after a while. Glad Claire is okay but don't blame her for worrying -and she certainly deserved the compensation!

I think that's a rather satisfactory outcome, although I do wonder if the people won't just abandon the dog and go and get another :(.

Well Merlot, the courts are bending over backwards here to give this dog a chance, he must have been a very 'good' and obedient dog whilst away all of these months and he obviously passed all assessments. Which means it is a great shame much of his behaviour was territorial and lack of control.

People who cannot control a dog really should not have him back, they really shouldn't. A behaviourist can only do so much, some people just do not have that air of authority to control a strong, powerful breed and they shouldn't be let near them.

I'd like to know how an 'elderly couple', (60 really isn't in this day and age :-D ) one disabled and pleading poverty will be able to afford the behaviourist alone (they cost a fortune) along with fencing, and doors etc?  Even if they wanted to do it, can't see how, maybe they have family who will help them out?

I agree in what is the point in tagging the man?   Being tagged not go out on an evening as he cannot handle the dog, yes, the courts are doing all they can to protect  people from another such attack.  But, why only for 18 months, and why just on an evening? He really should just be banned from ever walking the dog, that makes more sense, but will the woman be any better?

The possible shame of this though is if they cannot meet all demands and for a couple with no money they are quite high, is it fair to have this dog pts, when he obviously with the right people can pass assessment and be a 'good' dog?  Reactive dogs in the right hands with sensible guide lines given and needing to be adhered to can live good lives, but with a couple who have allowed this dog to get so out of control, doesn't stand a chance really does he?

Your poor dog sitter, not great for her either, the only plus is she is right there watching so if they do anything wrong she can report straight away,

I just wish, if the dog was savable that he had gone to an experienced person who wished to take him on, this just seems cruel and sadly I see an unhappy ending. :-(

> I'd like to know how an 'elderly couple', (60 really isn't in this day and age :-D ) one disabled and pleading poverty will be able to afford the behaviourist alone (they cost a fortune) along with fencing, and doors etc?  Even if they wanted to do it, can't see how, maybe they have family who will help them out?

Not all of us do ;-)  I don't charge as much as I probably should because a lot of people can't afford it these days but still need the help, and because I tend to do several visits at least to make sure things are being done right rather than one long one as a lot of behaviourists do.  So smaller chunks to pay, not one big fee and most of my clients find that very helpful.

I do agree with you about the fencing, doors etc and the control aspect though - the fact that they don't seem to see the dog's actions as a problem is a huge concern to me as I'd worry they wouldn't be particularly bothered about sticking to the rules.

Not all of us do   I don't charge as much as I probably should because a lot of people can't afford it these days but still need the help,

You're a star Nikita that is so good of you and you are extremely knowledgeable, anyone hiring you is very lucky. However, unfortunately, not all are like you and many 'behaviourists' are not any such thing, one shape fits all.....  I wonder if the courts have supplied a well known and appointed behaviourist or if they will just go through the yellow pages and may end up with a CM type trainer, g*d forbid?  The whole thing is very worrying.............

Very true sadly, very true :-(  I do wish there was some regulation for trainers and behaviourists, with so much at stake in cases like this and attacks seemingly on the rise it really is about time for some.

My guess, Nikita, is that most of your work consists of human behaviour modification as much as animal behaviour ;-)   

So glad this lady is recovering, but think it's really unfair that she will have to see this dog if he returns to his owners.   I hope they are up to the challenge of keeping him safely.