Dog Attack - - - Advice Needed, Please.

[postggj]

i mentioned before about these jokes about dogs and fingers

 

i will be requesting the thread be closed down if it continues

 

seeing your finger on the ground after being bitten off by a dog is beyond belief

 

the emotional turmoil in its self

 

ive know postman who have had there fingers amputated also through infection from dog bites

 

AND YOU PEOPLE MAKE LITE JOKES ABOUT IT

START TO REJOIN THE HUMAN RACE

Edited December 16, 2009 by postggj

[postggj]

Requesting Thread Be Closed For Obviouse Reasons:mad::mad:

[mattaius]

Nah don't close it, just remove my comments from it if you're that bothered, and I promise I won't reply on it again. It's not fair for 'questioner' to suffer because I'm being a clown. Deal?

[Rooster-UK]

Nah don't close it, just remove my comments from it if you're that bothered, and I promise I won't reply on it again. It's not fair for 'questioner' to suffer because I'm being a clown. Deal?

Mattaius, I'll hold you to that promise. If you break it, then everyone will know whose fault it is when the thread is closed.

In additiion, your account will be put on moderation.

 

Fair?

 

Rooster-UK.

[mattaius]

Agreed.

[questioner]

Listen guys

 

I can stand to be the object of abuse and jokes if it makes some posters feel better in them selves to scapegoat me for the personal problems, fears or inadequacies they may carry inside themselves.

 

I know its huge fun to laugh at the misfortunes of others but that of course has its limits.

 

Before I got ripped by that dog I may well have felt the same way that some the more callous know-all, life-style perfectionists felt on here.

 

I have to say that I heard many dogs at many doors and always took precautions but, like the mountain climber who missed that last foothold, I made a simple mistake and paid the price. I heard nothing at this house and thought the place was empty. But this was no excuse to mistreat me here. Why so much hate?

 

I came on this thread to simply gather a little bit of advice and that was all. I did not seek sympathy or understanding for the injury – just a bit of legal guidance. The bits I did get were helpful too.

 

I would personally like the thread to stay open please, if the flamers will permit it, so that I can tell you what happens next. Any kid delivering leaflets can make a similar mistake and end up worse than I did. And yes – I still get pain and discomfort in the finger.

 

For some reason this issue created great emotions, which is just so crazy. And again yes - I can give back much more that I get as some who know about me on this site could tell you.

 

Personally though, if I want violence I will take it out on my six feet punch bag and leave such base things off great forums like this one...

 

CAG is utterly vital to the wellbeing of the 21st century consumer. We have been badly let down by the so-called unbiased authorities, such as FOS, so we need to band together and recruit the public to get with it, wake up and support CAG now..

 

We need to be out there, telling it like it is now – not squabbling like rooks in a tree.

Fighting amongst each other helps no one but the disgusting banks and DCAs, therefore let’s keep it real and remember who the enemy really is.

[gemspan]

Hi Questioner

 

I was very sorry to read this thread. I hope you are feeling better now.

 

As a dog behaviourist I know that it is often the dogs that don't warn before striking that are the most dangerous. I have to say though that I have never heard of this ever happening before but it is something that I will remember and keep at the back of my mind if I have clients who have dogs that like to tear up the mail. A simple cage at the back of the door would solve the problem and obviously would have stopped this horrendous event happening.

 

I don't think that a warden has any legal right to demand the owner put up a sign or have a cage installed but it may be that this is what they advised the owner to do in case, as you say, a child puts its hands through the letterbox at some stage in the future. That would be terrible!

 

I have never thought about the dangers of leaflet delivering, nor indeed the dangers that our postmen and woman face each day in light of your thread. I will put a warning on some of the dog forums I moderate on to let people know the dangers if their dogs are aggressive to callers (ie postmen, delivery people etc.,). At least I can then feel I have done something to stop this happening again.

 

I do hope you feel better in the future and, I have to say, that if one of my dogs had carried out such an attack (but they're all softies - more likely to lick your hand than bite it!) I would be beside myself with worry about you. The owner does nothing to promote responsible dog ownership.

 

I do think that this would be a very difficult case to prove but perhaps if you had received more concern from the owner initially you wouldn't be feeling like this now. It is horrible for this to have happened and I will do my best to warn other dog owners about the possibility.

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Best wishes

Gemspan

[questioner]

Thank you Gemspan for your kind concern.

 

The owners initial reaction, when he saw me standing their covered in blood was, flippant - he was really not that bothered and quickly closed the door on me. I think his partner must have worried him though and seen the potential legal dangers hence his subsequent visit to the hospital to find me.

 

His main concern turned out to be whether or not I had informed the authorities. WHEN I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD, HE SWIFTLY LEFT THE HOSPITAL.

 

The people who I delivered for were sympathetic but nothing more.

[WelshMam2009]

Hi Questioner

 

I was very sorry to read this thread. I hope you are feeling better now.

 

As a dog behaviourist I know that it is often the dogs that don't warn before striking that are the most dangerous. I have to say though that I have never heard of this ever happening before but it is something that I will remember and keep at the back of my mind if I have clients who have dogs that like to tear up the mail. A simple cage at the back of the door would solve the problem and obviously would have stopped this horrendous event happening.

 

I don't think that a warden has any legal right to demand the owner put up a sign or have a cage installed but it may be that this is what they advised the owner to do in case, as you say, a child puts its hands through the letterbox at some stage in the future. That would be terrible!

 

I have never thought about the dangers of leaflet delivering, nor indeed the dangers that our postmen and woman face each day in light of your thread. I will put a warning on some of the dog forums I moderate on to let people know the dangers if their dogs are aggressive to callers (ie postmen, delivery people etc.,). At least I can then feel I have done something to stop this happening again.

 

I do hope you feel better in the future and, I have to say, that if one of my dogs had carried out such an attack (but they're all softies - more likely to lick your hand than bite it!) I would be beside myself with worry about you. The owner does nothing to promote responsible dog ownership.

 

I do think that this would be a very difficult case to prove but perhaps if you had received more concern from the owner initially you wouldn't be feeling like this now. It is horrible for this to have happened and I will do my best to warn other dog owners about the possibility.

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Best wishes

Gemspan

 

Thanks from me also for your input Gemspan...probably the most constructive contribution made on this thread!

[citizenB]

Thanks from me also for your input Gemspan...probably the most constructive contribution made on this thread!

 

I'll 2nd that comment.

[sailor sam]

Thank you Gemspan for your kind concern.

 

The owners initial reaction, when he saw me standing their covered in blood was, flippant - he was really not that bothered and quickly closed the door on me. I think his partner must have worried him though and seen the potential legal dangers hence his subsequent visit to the hospital to find me.

 

His main concern turned out to be whether or not I had informed the authorities. WHEN I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD, HE SWIFTLY LEFT THE HOSPITAL.

 

The people who I delivered for were sympathetic but nothing more.

 

This is what it makes it a bit suspect. I'm still wondering what breed of dog we are talking about. I still say the police should have investigated to make sure it wasn't an ilegal breed, especially after the tragic Liverpool case.

[hightail]

I still say the police should have investigated to make sure it wasn't an ilegal breed, especially after the tragic Liverpool case

 

How could the police be influenced by something that had yet to happen - or are you suggesting they should revisit every complaint involving dogs over the last ?? years?

[sailor sam]

How could the police be influenced by something that had yet to happen - or are you suggesting they should revisit every complaint involving dogs over the last ?? years?

 

What are you talking about hightail? The OP reported the incident to the police and as such, they have a duty to investigate if any offence has been commited, thats what the police are there for. For all we know, the dog in question may be an ilegal breed, if so an offence is being commited even without the incident. The OP's version of the owner's behaviour following the incident seems to me as suspect.

[hightail]

What are you talking about hightail?

 

The first words of the first post of this thread

Dog attack

 

Date – Spring 08

 

Your suggestion that the police should do more "especially after the tragic Liverpool case" makes no sense when the OP was bitten over a year earlier.

[questioner]

The owner said to me was that he had two dogs and one was a rottie but that it was the other one that bit me. He did not disclose what breed it was.

[sailor sam]

Your suggestion that the police should do more "especially after the tragic Liverpool case" makes no sense when the OP was bitten over a year earlier.

 

When the OP was bitten is irrelevant if the law has been broken. The dangerous dogs act has existed for many years and incidents involving dog attacks (whether it occurs on private property or not) should be investigated by the police to ensure the dog in question is not an illegal breed. If the dog in this case is not an illegal breed and every thing is above board then fair enough, the OP has little chance of bringing a prosecution which has already been pointed out. But it should still be looked into. If you lived next door to this property and had children, how would you feel if this dog managed to attack one of your kids and it turned out to be an illegal breed which the police should of detected from the earlier incident? Now do you get my point?

[sailor sam]

The owner said to me was that he had two dogs and one was a rottie but that it was the other one that bit me. He did not disclose what breed it was.

 

Exactly the reason I am suspicious!

[hightail]

I also informed the Dog Warden – who has since spoken to the owner and I believe warned him to keep his dog under proper control

 

Again, from the very first post. There is nothing (at least nothing in the reported facts) to suggest the matter was not properly investigated.

[jansus]

To the original OP - sorry about some of the replies you have received. Having been the victim of a dog attack myself ( an alsatian belonging to a family member) I understand the consequences can last for some time.I also had no warning of the attack and was inside the owners house at the time. I also ended up in hospital for treatment.

 

It took me a long time to re- build my confidence - so imagine my reaction a few years later when delivering leaflets ( very carefully ) as i pushed the leaflet in the door pushed open ( it was not secured) an behind it was an alsation with his teeth bared. I just totally froze.Luckily the owner appeared and grabbed him by the collar - but to this day I have never delivered another leaflet.

 

By the way I am now the proud owner of a lovely soppy Lurcher. But I still do not let him stay by the front door when we are not in. He would only bark but I understand it actually puts a lot of pressure on the dog as they feel they are constantly trying to protect their owners.He is also trained to sit when we invite people in the house.

[questioner]

Thanks Jansus

 

At least if you can see what you are facing you can have a chance to defend against the attack. When you have not seen (or heard) your attacker it takes on a different meaning altogether. The shock factor at the time was incredible and unexpected.

 

Thankfully I am still able to cope with any dogs and have no fear of them after the attack. Mine is a big and powerful hound and I suppose that helps a lot.

 

I will just have to see what the solicitor says next and take it from there.

[mkb]

Irrespective of the breed of dog, I believe that owners should be responsible enough to prevent any incidents like this.

 

We have a Lab & a Rottie and its the Lab that barks like mad whenever someone is at the door. The rottie sits on the stairs so that he can see who it is before slobbering all over them!!

 

However, this doesn't help when the person at the door has been so influenced by the media into believing that all rotties are devil-spawn whose sole existence is to maul everyone to death. My mother also believes this & refuses to visit us now!!!

 

Our rottie used to shred post so we secured a post box to the front of our door on the outside so that a) post remains secure & b) no hands can push through the letterbox & trigger a reaction from either of our dogs.

[questioner]

However, this doesn't help when the person at the door has been so influenced by the media into believing that all rotties are devil-spawn whose sole existence is to maul everyone to death.

 

So true - my rottie was great with people and so friendly. The gutter press have a lot to answer for in creating hysteria about such lovely dogs. He was not eager to be friendly with other dogs though and saw himself as the boss.