Dog Attack in Springfield Gardens

Woman and dog left injured last Friday

Police are appealing for witnesses to a dog attack in Springfield Gardens, off Horn Lane, at approximately 6:00pm on Friday 16th May.

A 50 year old woman was walking her dog in Springfield Park when she noticed a young girl of indeterminate age enter the park with a Black Staffordshire type dog.

The black dog was not on its lead and immediately ran towards the woman’s dog and attacked it leaving bite marks on its body.

The woman sustained a cut to her chin. A man who came to her aid suffered a cut to his finger during the incident.

A Black Man, approx age 30-40yrs with long Black shoulder length hair in Dreadlocks, eventually got the dog under control and left the park with the young girl and the dog.

Police are now making enquiries to try and trace the man.

Both victims declined treatment from the ambulance which attended the scene.

Dangerous Dog Act 1991
Owners of the breeds specially controlled by the above Act must carry a certificate of exemption allowing them to keep their dogs.

The breeds named are:-
§ Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier types
§ Japanese Tosa
§ Dogo Angentino
§ Fila Braziliero

All owners of the above breeds must have registered at their local police station and the following procedures should have been carried out:-
The dog must be
§ Microchipped
§ Tattooed on the inner thigh
§ Covered by third party insurance
§ Neutered

In addition to this, all the dogs must be muzzled and on a lead when in a public place and kept in the charge of a person over the age of 16.

Any person not carrying a Certificate of Exemption is liable to have their dog seized by a Police Officer or the Council's dog warden. A court case may then follow to establish whether the person is in possession of an unregistered dog. If this is found to be the case, the court will likely order the dog to be destroyed and sentence the owner to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £2,000.

The Act applies to other breeds also. It is an offence to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, or a private place where it is not permitted to be, even if it does not cause an injury. The penalty if a dog does not cause injury is up to six months in prison and/or a fine not exceeding, £2,000. If a dog does cause injury and the case is proven in court, the dog will be destroyed, with maximum penalties for the owner of two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

All dogs should be kept under control, and kept on a lead when in a public place to assist in keeping our streets, parks and recreation areas a pleasure to visit for dog owners and non dog owners alike.

May 23, 2008