Out-Of-Control Dogs, Out-Of-Excuses Police...

This story about a savage dog attack in Chingford, and the woeful police response to it, sums up just why those decent police bloggers still in the UK are fighting a losing battle against the public perception of them:

Shelley Bowen, 41, of Normanshire Drive, was walking her own dog, Sid, on October 23 at about 5pm when another animal ran away from its owners and attacked her.

She said: “I was screaming for help. I had a cream coat on and I was covered in blood.

“It was like something out of a horror movie. People didn't want to come near me.”

Although paramedics worked to reattach Mrs Bowen's thumb, they were unable to do so and she has been left permanently maimed.

Seems like a pretty clear cut case, dog known to be aggressive, out of control, plenty of witnesses. What happened when the police turned up?

And Mrs Bowen has said the police have taken no action against the dog's owners despite being called to the incident and that the matter has been 'dropped'.

Eh..?

A police spokeswoman said: "Waltham Forest police carried out a thorough investigation into the incident following their attendance at the scene.

"Unfortunately, it could not be determined which dog caused the injury and therefore the incident cannot be classified as a crime."

In essense, the police are saying that it could have been her own dog which bit off her thumb in the fight, and therefore, the fact that the dog was out of control in a public place and attacked unprovoked doesn't matter.

However, the comments show that this had angered many people, as this dog is a known threat in the community:

Dr H, Waltham Forest:"Local dog walkers have confirmed that this dog is regularily walked in the area and is known to be very aggressive with the owner unable to control him.

It is essential that this animal is not allowed to continue to be exercised in public.

It would seem to me that if the police fail to take action and this dog attacks someone else then they may be liable for negligence."

Dingers, Chingford: "Even as Shelley was searching on the ground to find her missing thumb, the dogs owner, a young Turkish lad, was shouting at her, saying that it wasn't his fault !!! If i had the power, i'd have him put down too...Shelley hasn't been interviewed or even called by the police. They spoke to her at the scene for about a minute before being ushered away by the waiting paramedics. This apparantly, was enough for them to 'close' the case."

Shazzbot, Highams Park: "The response of the police has been an absolute disgrace. They have not interviewed Shelley, the victim, even though implored to by many local residents; they have not interviewed any of the ample witnesses to the event."

Lcave, Epping:"The police wounder why the public have no faith in them, well just read this story and they just might understand why!"

Mlarkswood, Chingford: "I am angry with the way the police have dealt with this. Their first words were " I dont like dogs", the female officer seemed distracted to say the least and seemed unconcerned with what has taken place. I had to remind her to take our names as witnesses. There was no compassion even though my 14 year old son had witnessed this. No-one has contacted us since(we have been abroad for a few days but they did have our mobile numbers). I did get a call soon after the incident by a 'safer neighborhood police officer' but that was only after i made enquiries as to what was happening. He was curt on the phone and i now know the info he gave me was incorrect."

And from the victim herself:

ShelleyBowen, Chingford:"My feelings towards the police in all of this is making me feel even more bitter. They're not interested in me, i'm just a house wife and mother who tried to protect her pet dog. 'Not a police matter madam' is their response ! I've lost all respect and confidence in our police force. If they had the decency to come to my house and take a full account of what happened and not just take the word of that dogs owner, they might just realise that they've been suckered in by this poor excuse for a human being. I was the closest person to this attack, yet my account is not deemed important."

The local police have badly miscalculated this one, and the public are no longer prepared to be fobbed off with lackadasical 'service'.

The public meeting on November 4 is going to be interesting, to say the least...