Design by Malcolm Riley  |  © 2009 All Rights Reserved

Hartlepool is a great place to visit and, apparently, an even better place to live?

As just another tourist location of course you hear of the great many things to do here on a wonderful day out at the seaside with the kids; shopping, places to eat, things to do, parks to visit and of course there's Seaton Carew, with its miles of broad golden sands, bustling arcades and further inland, lively nightlife on Church Street. Sounds great - let's go kids!

Like many UK destinations large and small one has to expect a degree of rubbish, and I am not talking about the litter in the street, although this is, in addition to dog fouling, a major problem in the rear alleyways of the old terraced houses strewn across the borough - err... take a good compass if you want to navigate the dog foul behind Suggitt and Stephen Street. No, I am talking about what both visitors and residents alike see, hear and endure on a daily basis throughout the borough whilst going about their daily business, including verbal abuse from unsavoury characters congregating at potential flash-points at various locations throughout the town. Watch out for the dogs, too, as when coupled with such delinquent people, often unleashed (the dogs I am talking about) you have a potentially unsafe situation - especially if your kids decide to stroke what they think is a fluffy adorable dog. In any case, any dog off a lead in a public place suggests the owner of the dog may not be as responsible as he or she may appear; if they were, the dog would be leashed.

This site is not about negativity of the place we call home. This site is about awareness. More specifically, raising awareness of the rising number of DOG ATTACKS in the area. Dog attacks alone are not the problem. The problem, as we all know, lies with enforcement of dog laws, and the irresponsible dog owners who are not policed properly and, even when they are, there is often very little can be done to bring about a successful prosecution.

The number of dog attacks and 'out of control' dogs in Hartlepool is increasing and incidents are becoming far more frequent. The exact number of attacks within the borough is currently unknown as only dog attacks on people is currently recorded, and that is assuming one reports every incident to the police. Dog attacks on other animals are not recorded by the authorities and where a specific complaint to police is made of such an attack, the official line is to proceed through civil court for damages, as an animal is defined by law as 'property'. Therefore, if your beloved pet collie is victim to an unprovoked attack by another dog, is seriously injured or worse still, killed, it becomes a civil matter. Because no criminal proceedings have been brought against the dog owner (lack of proof - although severe bite wounds and torn flesh appears not enough - and denial by the irresponsible dog owner) you lose - they win, and they and their dangerous dog are free to roam the streets again - no doubt with the dog off the lead.

What is strikingly worrying about this whole civil-vs-criminal dog legislation is monitoring and recording of non-human attacks. Surely if a dog displays aggression in public, attacks another animal in a public place, is not under proper control in a public place... one would expect the local authorities to be very concerned that the next victim could be a child! If this happens then it indeed becomes a criminal offence and the law can prosecute - too little too late - your child has been attacked.

So exactly what action is Hartlepool Council taking to deal with 'out of control and dangerous dogs' and their irresponsible owners? Not to belittle the immense problem of dog fouling (you get a £80 fine for that) as, although it comes under the umbrella of irresponsibility, it is, in reality, far less serious than the implications of non-enforcement or mis-management of legislation pertaining to the reality of a dog attack, be it against a person or animal.

Your input and views are invaluable and so we have included a web-blog for you to comment. We are particularly interested in hearing from those who have been victim to or have witnessed dog attacks in a public place. Has your animal been attacked? Are dogs a concern where you live? Do you fear for the safety of your children? Do you think it is safe for your child to play in a public place? Do you think the local authority is doing enough to combat dangerous and out of control dogs in public places?

We want you to be a part of this site, we want your views! Hartlepool is your home; we think you should have a voice....

Dog attacks in Hartlepool is a reality!

What is being done by the local authorities to guarantee YOUR safety and that of YOUR children? Is enough being done?

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