A Basingstoke manis demanding justice after his dog required emergency surgery to his neck following a vicious attack in the town.
David Hall, of Freemantle Close, has launched a petition this week to force the police to take further action after his dog was savagely mauled while out on a walk.
The 55-year-old’s petition, which reads: After seeing the photographs of my dogs injuries, caused by a pitbull type dog, think that the police should take action against the owner, has already attracted over 100 signatures.
The incident took place on Sunday, July 11 and left Mr Hall determined to challenge irresponsible dog owners.
“Myself and my little jack russell went out for a walk as we do everyday but this day turned into a horror for me and my dog when another dog came from nowhere and sank its teeth into my dogs neck,” he said.
“I was very, very upset at seeing what that dog was doing to mine, in actual fact I was so scared and bordering on hysteria. I just kept shouting at the owners to get the dog off him.
“I was feeling, angry, sick and quite traumatised by the events. I thought my dog was going to die.”
Mr Hall, who lives alone with eight-year-old Pat, was able to rush him to Companion Care Veterinary Surgery, where Pat was treated for several puncture wounds to his lower neck.
Senior Vetinary Surgeon at the Surgery, Jose Messa said that while the injuries were not life threatening when he arrived they still had to take Pat into surgery to put a drain into the neck and prescribe antibiotics to control infection.
“He was attacked at the base of the neck, which is where dogs go to try and kill,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s normal for a dog to go for another one like that but it can be done by any dog and a dog like that should definitely be muzzled.”
Since the incident, Mr Hall says he is uneasy about going out with Pat and putting him in any further danger.
He said: “I wish I had not taken him out that day but we live here and why should anybody who has a powerful dog like the one that attacked Pat be allowed to do what they like to people like me and my dog.”
Norden Councillor George Hood said the issue of dangerous dogs within the ward has been addressed previously by campaigning residents in his ward – known as the Norden Action Group.
He stated that since the issue has been highlighted, the higher profile has led to a decrease in reported incidents.
Acting Inspector Venner Olga from Basingstoke Police stresses that this case, based on evidence, was accidental rather than malicious and should not be connected with previous incidents concerning fighting dogs.
“Mr Hall is not happy about the police action and he is perfectly entitled to make a complaint,” she said.
“It is a very emotive subject and he is very upset and I have sympathy for him. If it had been malicious then it would be a different matter.”
The police’s response will be to issue the owner acceptable behaviour contract to insure the dog is kept under control in the future.
For Mr Hall, the case is far from closed and he has vowed to continue petitioning to get people to stand up and take notice.
He said: “I’m not doing it for my dog anymore, but other peoples safety. Think, what if it had been a child, then it would be very serious.”
