Why was no action taken in dog attack?
ON MONDAY 8 APRIL 2019 at about 3.30/4pm an older member of the public, very senior years, who I see regularly pass my home in the Rue Jacques, St Sampson’s, with his adorable little dog, passed by on his way to Delancey Park; a walk which he does regularly, although he walks his dog three times a day in other areas.
He had not gone very far when I heard a dog howling in pain and fear.
I realised after that it was my ‘friend’s’ dog who was being dragged down the road by two very large bull mastiff-type dogs and he was also being dragged down the road trying to save his little dog.
My ‘friend’, who I only know as John, received abrasions down his side and leg in the struggle and the dog owner came out to pull his dogs away and had to help the old gentleman to his feet.
John was in deep shock and later when I went to his home to see how he was, he was still suffering the after-effects of the attack.
When I went to see John he told me he had reported the incident to the police.
He was, therefore, surprised to find that no action would be taken at all. No interest was shown about his injuries and no apology from the dog’s owner was forthcoming.
I must say that I find this appalling. How can anyone find no case to answer after such a traumatic and vicious attack on a senior member of the public who at least deserves respect?
These vicious dogs should definitely be muzzled at all times for the safety of the public and other dogs.
GABRIELLE LE CRAS
gabrielle@capricagsy.co.uk
Editor’s footnote: a Guernsey Police spokesman replies:
We understand this would be a distressing incident to witness and be involved in.
We were made aware of this the day it occurred and that is the same day our investigation began.
Officers interviewed the owner of the two dogs, and from what we have established, it was an unfortunate accident with the dogs having run out through a door that was briefly left open.
Both dogs were on leads and neither had a history of violence.
The owner immediately intervened and has offered to pay for any vet bills.
Rest assured, Guernsey Police carried out a full investigation in a timely manner and had we found grounds to prosecute, we would have.