Hi
Firstly I want to thank everybody for their support and well wishes to me and my lovely lab.  She is doing fine now after the Staffy attack but she did have to have anaesthetic and stitches on her neck and her leg where the dog had attacked her and is now on antibiotics.  The vet said that It was good I was able to take her in for treatment so quickly after it happened.
I have been a little afraid to go back to the park since it happend but I did call the council and they put me in touch with the local dog warden who said that sadly they could not do anything unless they knew who the dog belonged to.  I have not reported it to the police because I am pretty sure that they won't do anything about it. 
Weirdly I was at the local shop today and the owner told me that he knows the dog that attacked her and also where they live.   I am not sure now whether I should go with my husband and knock on the door and tell them and show them pictures of the injuries it caused as I took photos on my digital camera and I also think they should pay me out as it cost me £495.  I wonder what other people would do, would you be brave enough to knock on the door and surely they could just deny that it was their dog even though it was.  There were not even any witnesses, just one woman walking up the path after it happened who asked me if I was alright because I was crying and saw them walking off.
I am not sure whether to pursue this or whether to just leave it.  What would you do?

Firstly get in contact with the Dog Warden again and tell them that you have located the dog.  As for the Police, as far as I am aware you can insist that the Police approach the owner and do the dog under the Dog Act 1871 ( dog not being kept under control). I most certainly think that you should go for your damages (Vets costs)

Hi

So glad she (and you) is ok :) I know its easier said than done but dont let them win by not going to the park. Providing she is well enough you need to try and get out there again and fill her mind with happy memories sooner rather than later.

As you know who they are you should pursue it, IMO. Would you give £500 to an undeserving stranger? I doubt it! Why should you pay this bill? More importantly, why should this bloke get the message that its ok for his dog to attack yours with no consequences? By addressing it you could stop this happeneing to someone else.

I wouldnt go knocking on doors though. The principle is important but you dont know what type of man he is and its not important enough to get yourself hurt over. If you dont do it for you, do it for your girl - after all you are her only voice! (If it makes you feel better you could spend the money you get back on lots of toys and bones for her :D )

Get the Police involved and let them deal with it.
Lots of luck to you both xxx

Definitely give the details to the dog warden and write to the owner asking for them to pay your vet bills. I'm not sure the Police will do anything but I would pursue it and take it to the small claims court if they don't pay.

i agree with chaumsong, a short, to the point note, with an invoice through the door giving them 7 days to pay or you will pursue it through the small claims court.of course they may choose to come around and see you.

My labrador was attacked on the beach last year whilst on a lead, the dog sunk his teeth in her ear and half ripped it off, we could not get the jaws of the dog to release, even the dogs owner could do nothing, she started pulling at her dog making the tear worse!  Eventually we got them seperated, I made her pay the vets costs in full, she did so, assuring me her dog had never done this before!! I had no witnessess either, So I would definately claim expenses from them even through small claims court if you have to.  But would not knock on the doors do it through the police if you can or if you are insured claim off your insurance and pass their details on to your insurance complany they will pursue them!

justi

This is very sensible I won't knock on the door you are all right perhaps it is not a good idea to do this but I will check that this is definitely where they live and then contact the dog warden again to report the dog, then I am going to send them a note requesting that they pay the bill and if they don't I will go to the small claims court.  I am getting angry about what happend now and there is no way that they are going to get away with what happend to my dog if I can help it.  That dog has bitten off more than it can chew and so has the owner. 
Thanks everybody and I will keep you posted.

One of my Cavaliers was attacked several years ago by another dog in our street that was allowed to wander at the time of the attack the owner was out but there next door neighbour was in and helped me separate the dogs.  I took mine to the vet who gave him antibiotics and I went home the owner of the dog was informed by his nieghbour what had happened and then his nieghbour came up to my house and told me he was in and she would come with me my nieghbour also came with me to be honest looking back this man must have thought it was a lynching I was still a little emotional and yelled and cryed at the dog owner he was quite nice about it really he actually started walking the dog instead of leaving it out to walk itself.  I was lucky to have the support of the people in the street but you don't know how the people will react so act with caution

Hi, sorry to hear about your dog, hope the recovery is quick.
I would contact the Police and get a crime reference number/incident number. I would also contact the owners but contact them by sending a letter by recorded delivery because you will need proof that they have received the letter asking to pay the bill. Explaining that failure to do so will give you no choice but to take them to the small claims court if you do not get reimbursed within 7 days of receipt of letter.  

poor poor girl.  Hope she is better real soon.  What a shock for you tho.  I feel so sorry for you and her.