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Dogs given a bad name
• IT saddens me beyon erent owners and the authorities’ unwillingness to take action or seek prosecution (Dog attack victim had his finger sewn back on in hospital, September 14).
My sympathies go out to Ken Duncan, who had his finger bitten off by a pit bull-type dog, the owner of which has not been prosecuted.
Unfortunately, a similar incident happened to me about two years ago. In September, 2005, I was walking my two dogs, which were on leads and under control, when three pit bull-type dogs attacked me and my dogs. Police refused to take the prosecution forward as they said it would only be my word against the owner’s and the Crown Prosecution Service would not uphold the case, even though one of my dogs was badly mauled.
I would advise Mr Duncan to take out a private prosecution at a magistrates’ court. It costs nothing.
I successfully took the owner to the magistrates’ court, where I represented myself and she was found guilty. However, she appealed against the decision.
The case then went to Crown Court. I again represented myself. The court officials were very good at giving guidance. Again she was found guilty and the original fine and restrictions were re-imposed. It took, however, another six months and the threat of a six-month custodial sentence for her to pay the fine.
Sadly, all the positive training done with dogs rarely makes headlines. Like Mr Duncan I am a dog owner. I help out as a trainer at my local dog school. I am co-founder and trustee of Akita Rescue and Welfare (UK).
I show one of my dogs and he has won more than 25 best-in-show awards as well as being the first of his breed to successfully pass the Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold Award.
Both my dogs represent the breed at Discover Dogs, which is the largest canine event in the UK, excluding Crufts. My Akitas also work as therapy dogs going into schools, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and special needs schools.
These are things I do with my dogs quietly and which generally go unrecognised or unreported. Unfortunately it only takes one bad incident, usually from the “hoodie with staffie brigade” for all breeds of dogs to be condemned.
ROBERT STUHLDREER
Dunford Road, N7
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