Friday 18 October 2013

Well, It Would Appear The Situation Isn’t ‘Resolved’ At All…

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "We were called to a report of an aggressive dog in the Tuffley area at around 11am last Wednesday. A postal worker suffered a bite to the hand during the incident.
The situation was resolved when the dog was returned to the control of its owner in Emerald Close."
Eh..? Gosh, another one for my new dictionary!
"Strong words of advice were given but inquiries are ongoing into the incident. We are not aware of any previous reports to police about the dog."
 Hmmm...
Emily Smith, of Emerald Close, said many residents are terrified of the dog and use the back doors of their homes to try and avoid coming into contact with it.
She said: "I used to leave my door open so the children could play outside. All the residents used to have little street parties but we feel we can't do that because the dog is always growling and running out of the house."
Felicity Faith, who lives just off the square in Russet Close, has been getting her mail but said: "When I walk my dog I am always on the lookout to see if the boxer is around. I should not have to walk the long way around the estate to visit my friends."
And did no-one call the police? Or do they just not bother, knowing nothing will be done?

Meanwhile, in Scotland:
Other people who were in the street and heard screams for help went to Ms Wallace’s aid and eventually managed to pull the dog away from her.
Witnesses reported seeing 32-year-old McLaughlin emerging to stand at her gate and watch as the attack was taking place.
Ms Emmerson said the badly-injured victim was taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital to have treatment for injuries to her face, arm, hand and chest. The bite to Ms Wallace’s arm had left a gash that required nine stitches and she also had to have stitches in the cut to her face. Her pet had to have a bite wound dressed and closed up with five staples.
It was stated that police had subsequently raised concerns over the accused’s ability to properly care for her dog and observed that she “seems not to care about the damage it had done or to care about what had happened to the victims.”
But unlike this side of the border, the police aren't content with 'strong words of advice'...
Animal welfare officers took possession of the boxer dog and held the animal in kennels, pending the outcome of the case, as there were concerns it had been out of control when there were young children in the area.
Refreshing!
Sheriff Tom Ward told her: “Your dog caused very bad injuries and, in these circumstances, it is uppermost in my mind that it should be destroyed as you cannot take care of it and it presents a danger to the public.”
He deferred sentence until October 8 to allow McLaughlin to seek legal advice and warned her that he would also be considering the imposition of an order banning her from keeping a dog.
I hope he does more than consider it.

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