Hot on the tail of the 'Dog Horror' posting ....
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As many of you know, I work for a local authority and see members of the public everyday.
Yesterday I met a lady who cat was killed this week by a neighbour's Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The dog was not on a lead or muzzled and simply attacked the cat without provocation. The cat was thrown around until it died in the owners arms. The police were called and they stated there was no case to answer as it was 'animal on animal' and they even threatened to arrest the cat owner for a public order offence because she had obviously been threatening towards the dog owner. The dog owner showed no remorse or apology and walked away from the situation.
I spoke to Environmental Protection today and they also said that they probably would not get involved unless a person had been attacked.
Would you think that the cat owner has a claim against the dog owner for the loss of her cat and the hurt and emotional distress caused? Would a dog owners pet insurance policy cover this? Or would it be covered under a domestic ( contents ) insurance as the insured's legal liability?
Obviously nothing will bring the cat back but surely this loss must be recognised somewhere? This dog could do this time and time again without redress otherwise. Your opinions are welcome here ............
Responses (5)
Another very sad story Snoopy and a tragic end of life for the cat.
Would they feel the same if it had been a child that was thrown around until it died? I daren't think what I would do if it had happened to my cat - I'll just say I wouldn't like to be the owner. They have a great responsibility to ensure their animal is kept under control and if this is not the case they should be made to pay for any loss that has been sustained by another person. This won't bring the animal back but the money could be donated to animal welfare or the likes.
A few year's ago my Aunty had a beautiful cat who was absolutely spoilt with fresh trout for tea etc. It was cared for and pampered by my Aunty then one day someone knocked on her door and said her cat was in the next street being used as a football. When she got there her cat was dead on the road. The hooligans were all laughing and shouting and hollowing. She was so traumatised she never got over it and she is only one of many.
The only happy story I've seen this week was an owl and a pussycat playing together and cuddling together. Makes a lovely change.
I have owned both cats and dogs, if a dog of mine had done that I would have been mortified and apologising profusely to the cat owner. Even without police intervention you would probably have the dog destroyed for peace of mind in case it was a child next time. The trouble is some people have no empathy for the feelings of others.
Absolutely kipperfed ...we live in a cold and uncaring society ... not everyone of course, just some people but it't the minority that make my blood curdle!
This is an absolute disgrace - I get so fed up of reading these stories which seem to happen far to frequently. I certainly think that there needs to be stricter laws making pet owners liable for the actions of their animals.
You are absolutely right Pete. How can the law differentiate between a dog ( that remains an animal at best ) with a killer instinct towards cats and a dog who may growl, snarl and bare its teeth towards a human being? The reason that we see regular occurrences of dog bites ( some seriously or fatally ) is that we are complacement as dog owners and the law needs to recognise that.
So sad, absolutely disgraceful, witnessed the same thing when I was in junior school and I've never forgotten it, surely dog owners should be held liable??
my mum and stepdad have a staffy and when he is taken out he is always on a lead. it is irresponsible dog owners that give responsable owners a bad name. also when their dog was a puppy he was attacked by a terrier,so he cant stand other dogs but if we ask politely if other dog owners can put their dog on a lead just until we get past all we get is a mouthful of abuse just because of his breed. that is not right.
I agree, hels, that's disgusting.
Some people are just terrible owners hels27 and should never be allowed to have dogs. Staffies are very loyal and loving as a breed and don't deserve their reputation, which as you say is caused by irresponsible owners. I suspect those people abusing you would do so whatever the breed of your dog though, there are a lot of unpleasant people about!
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Oh, Sabre and Snoopy, I'm now crying as I type this. And I've just been out to check that my cats are all OK.
Unfortunately, cats are not recognised by the law, but if you did harm to a neighbour's dog you would be liable.
I would take the risk, however, if someone harmed my cats!
I was so upset by this and the police opinion that 'animal on animal' bears no legal consquences that I have emailed the council's Animal Welfare Officer and asked for a visit to the offender as a bare minimum. There is something wrong with a so called civilised society when a dog owner can take their dog out unrestrained, let is kill a cat and walk away without any culpability at all. And if we agree that a dog has no opinion on what it attacks, then next time it could be a small child. Any dog that attacks in this way is dangerous. end of!
Good for you, Snoopy. Keep us informed.
Just bears out what we were saying on the previous thread about compulsory licencing.
I shudder to think that next time it could be a child, but then it would be too late if the dog had been 'let off' for killing a cat.
I totally agree that this dog is dangerous, end of!