Dogs. Advice please

Yes I think that you should ask her to pay for the vet bill. Her dog was out of control so her responsibility. You may not get far but I would certainly try.

Thankyou so much for the comments/advice. Our L/A only allows 4 dogs to be walked at a time buy the quarry where we were is in the nwxt L/A and there are no restrictions which is why the prof. Dog walkers go there. I think I should have called her out on ot at the time as it will be difficult now to prove one of her dogs did it. Ive let another prof. Walker know so word will spread. I think we will avoid the area as its over populated now as we do our local park just over the road from us for the same reason. All kinds of breeds off the lead there . My lurcher is called and put on lead if we see other dogs but sometimes im just not quick enough. Will have to be more careful in future. Thanks again. Its good to have the views of others. X

Do you have a Local council dog warden? Get as much information as you can and report it. She knew what happened, the dog was out of control.

Johno, there are lots of areas where dogs don’t have to be on a lead. This is true for ordinary dog walkers as well as professionals. I’m not sure we know whether this was an area where a lead is required or not?

Defra says 6 dogs as a maximum.
This is what the kennel club says:
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/1159277/kc-dog-briefing-maximum-numbers-of-dogs.pdf

So sorry to hear about your dog and I hope he recovers soon.
While I'd suggest the dog walker has far too many to supervise correctly and your area could have regulations / guidance, there's also the issue of your dog not being on a lead.
I have a Rottweiler - a huge, very friendly and affectionate dog. He loves other dogs and loves to play. I keep him on a lead because; people are scared of him / his breed and also because some dogs don't want to play!

Professional is what struck me? a Professional dog walker! dogs off lead? seven of them even!!

not "professional" to my mind... perhaps you were meaning she was paid to walk dogs. i wouldn`t want her walking my dog! all dogs are different, like humans!

You have a responsibility to keep your dog on a lead. The fact others do not keep theirs on a lead is only one factor but not THE factor. You have done what is called CONTRIBUTARY negligence - this means you contributed to the incident by not having your dog under control. As such you will get part of a claim for vets bills but not all. Dogs will be dogs and it is absolutely reasonable to expect that dogs will fight - this is why they must be on a lead. They are not rational creatures. You are aware that people walk their dogs in said place - you added to the risk of your dog being bitten. Its a good job a person was not bitten.

Meant to say SERIOUS!

Meant to go on .... we reported the incident to the local dog warden plus photos who went round to their home and had a chat.

I think that I have read dog walkers should only walk 4 here in Greater Manchester. A professional dog walker will have/should have insurance and that insurance will stipulate how many dogs they can walk and be covered. 7 dogs sounds very excessive to me - beyond controlling ...... and yes, several dogs can behave as a pack as we found out when our gentle soul (dog) was bitten by a chocolate Labrador whose owner was walking 4 at the time.

Goid advice from Dillonsgran too

Diane.this is setious.. ouncils have laws as to how many dogs are allowed to br walked! Definitely say something and advise a muzzle for the dog who attacked yours. I repeat this is a serious issue as she could end up in court it.also keep your dog on lead when shes about as posted.

I didn't think anyone could walk more than 4 dogs at once anymore. Or have I dreamt that up. Personally I would give her the vets bill and according to her attitude I would to report her, as srn63 said. It's heartbreaking hearing a dog cry from another dog bite (my small cavalier, on lead, got bit by a known to be a problem, off the lead boxer).

I would tell your local council as all dog walkers have to licenced now. Also they are only allowed to walk six dogs at a time. On the leash!
I would present the dog walker with your vet bill as she will be insured (or should be by law) and her insurance will pay
Don’t just let it go. The next dog could be killed

I wouldn't hesitate to give the dog walker the bill, although your dog should also not be off the lead if you can't recall her instantly, but I do know what you mean about lurchers! I have 3 dogs, they are never off the lead if I see other dogs around, but like you I have been taken by surprise at times, one dog is never off his lead unless in a secure dog walking enclosure because he does come back, but only in his own sweet time, which is not good enough for me, the other 2 are fine, but are kept on leads if other dogs are in sight because I feel more in control that way. I would never walk more than my 3 dogs at one time, I fail to see how anyone can control 7 dogs on or off lead and the sheer strength of 7 dogs would pull over any person, it should not be allowed. I would definitely get in touch with the council re licensing, maybe the dog walker is breaking her license conditions and she needs stopping before a tragedy happens, if not a call to your local PCSO is in order.

Dianne the least you should do is ask her to pay the vet bill. She should have insurance, as other posters have mentioned.
Give her a copy of the vet bill and take her name and address.

I would definatly give the walker a copy of the bill next time you see her and report the incident to the local Council,whilst she is running a business she should by law be fully insured,she can well afford this insurance as most walkers charge from £10 per hour for walks and if she is walking 7 then she is making a pretty good income,I would not let this rest as other dogs are at risk.
I do hope your dog is OK now and recovers well .

digs dogs

If it's a nature reserve then I expect other people/families visit.
It's alarmingly irresponsible to not pick up dog mess as it can, in some cases where the skin has a scratch or cut, cause death.
I've no time for dog owners who let digs mess where they will, don't have dogs on leads on public highways or let their leads unravel across half the pavement therefore endangering other people.
I was on a bus yesterday when a man and dog boarded. I could hear him tell the dog 4 times to 'get down'. Obviously not trained to obey.
Personally, aside from working dogs, I can't see the point of them. Many are left at home when owners work.

I think you should mention it to the dog walker and let her know of the cost incurred. This should have been mentioned at the time IMO. However, I also think you need to accept some of the blame by allowing your dog to run up to the others. This may have been seen as threatening behaviour.

I think it would be understandable if you said something to this lady - particularly as your dog had to have expensive vet treatment. It must have been frightening for you and your dog too.

I would like to think I would bring it to her attention but I'm a bit of a coward about things like this so perhaps I wouldn't. It would be totally justified though.

My dog is always walked on a lead unless we know there are no other dogs around. We do plan to take her to a secure field that can be hired by the hour. My last dog was attacked several times when she was on a lead and dogs ran up to her and went for her. I don't really understand the attitude of a lot of dog walkers, I'm afraid. They seem oblivious to the fact that some people and dogs might be afraid of dogs. The dog walker should be insured and should pay for your dogs treatment and the owner of the dogs in his or her care should know what has happened.

At work ...not walk lol

The dog walker should have insurance but that is not the main point. I have seen dog walkers with multiple dogs off lead and in general they have no control over them. Realistically how can they? Six or seven dogs all running about in different directions. How can recall be effective in those circumstances and of course there is the added possibility of them acting against other dogs as a pack.

You should definitely inform the dog walker and give her a copy of the charges you incurred. I am sure that if I was paying a dog walker and this happened with my dog I would also want to know. The only possible motive in taking so many out at once is money and it can't provide a good service as it puts the walked dog and other dogs and potentially children at risk.

On the beach where I walk my dog I have seen and pointed out dog mess ignored by the walker. I have walked my dog the length of the beach and returned to see certain walkers all standing talking never having left the spot with their dogs. The dogs may have been out an hour but I feel sorry for owners who have paid for a good walk for their dogs while they are at walk and don't realize that the poor dog hasn't been walked at all.

I have deviated from your post but I feel very strongly about the danger of too many dogs at once. Not all dog walkers are like this. The walkers who pick up, actually walk the dogs and have recall usually have 3 of less dogs with them.

You should not have to avoid the area where you walk your dog and dog walkers should ensure their dogs are on leads when other dogs are about. Sorry for the long rant but I think you are owed not only monetary compensation but an apology and assurances that the ownerhas been told that his/her dog has attacked another dog while in their care. Good luck with that op. Maybe I should put my tin hat on