Dangerous dogs and their owners | a Hartlepool problem

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

IS YOUR CHILD SAFE?
ARE YOU?
IS YOUR PET?

Dog attacks in Hartlepool are a reality!

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

Hit Counter June 2009

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? At a first glance it is easy to assume they are doing what they can, or are they? Are they doing only what is required by law? They certainly do not seem to be taking a ‘proactive’ approach. It is evident that a much bigger priority appears to be given to the issue of ‘dog fouling’. Not to belittle this immense problem for which you receive an £80 fixed penalty as, although it comes under the umbrella of irresponsibility, it is in reality far less serious than the implications of non-enforcement or complacent enforcement of legislation pertaining to the reality of a dog attack, be it against a person or animal.

Since we are not experts here and Hartlepool council refuse to comment, we would like YOU to make your views known.

• Tell us about your own experiences

• Add your own knowledge/views on current legislation

• Make a general comment

To ADD your comments yourself please do so by navigating to the ‘Your Say’ page. To e-mail us click here and we will find an appropriate location on the site for your story, and if we cannot find one, we will create one for you - just like we did for the Derwent Dog issue.

We are currently in the process of collating statistical data to support varying attacks in Hartlepool. Once this is achieved we will all be better informed.