Olivia Brooks has criticised North Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland for the ‘lack of action’ taken after her two-year-old Golden Doodle, Bailey was injured
Image: Glaswgow Live)
A couple have recalled being bitten by one of three ‘out of control’ dogs following an attack on their pet earlier this year.
Olivia Brooks has criticised North Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland for the “lack of action” taken after her two-year-old Golden Doodle, Bailey was injured on Wednesday, January 10. The 30-year-old as well as her partner Marc Gray, 33, were walking Bailey down a residential street in the Greengairs area when three “unattended” dogs leapt at their pet, it has been reported.
They clinged onto Bailey’s legs and Olivia says she chapped on their owner’s door. To try and release him, Olivia and Marc were bitten by one of the dogs, and later had to take antibiotics and have a tetanus jab.
Bailey was taken to the vet where he was sedated and stitched up which cost the couple £500. Olivia told Glasgow Live: “They were jumping so much and barking at my dog.
(
Image:
Glaswgow Live)
(
Image:
Glaswgow Live)
“They were able to open the lock on the gate and got out and attacked Bailey, mostly on his legs. Myself and Marc were bitten by one of the dogs but it’s hard to say which one because they were all similar.
“It’s one of the most awful things that has ever happened to me – we couldn’t separate the dogs so I felt powerless. I have worked really hard on my dog and he is really friendly.
“Bailey defecated because he was terrified, the worst bit is that he never fought back but at the same time I am glad he never because it would make us just as bad. I had called the police to alert them because I believe the dogs were out of control.
“For a couple of weeks after, I couldn’t get Bailey’s screaming out of my head.” Police Scotland confirmed they were contacted regarding the dog-on-dog attack and referred the matter to the dog warden at North Lanarkshire Council.
Olivia wants the council to assess the dogs who attacked Bailey but the council wrote in an email to her that an animal welfare officer has been “unsuccessful” in attempts to speak with the owner. They also say that an investigation is ongoing to “take appropriate action” if needed.
She added: “I got onto the council and I was referred to the dog warden. I had to put in a complaint to the council because it had been almost six weeks and I hadn’t heard anything on whether they were taking any action.
“I wanted the dogs to be assessed because I don’t want this to happen again or to anyone else. The council said that because I couldn’t identify which dog it was that bit us, they couldn’t take any action.
“For me that doesn’t make any sense because my dog was still attacked by three dogs who were out of control. It’s like it doesn’t matter which has really upset me.
“I don’t see how anyone could have been prepared for what happened to us. We thought we were safe and were walking down the street when those dogs came out of a gated property.
“Ensure that if you have dogs and leave them unattended, make sure they can’t get out of your garden.” A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the afternoon of Thursday, 11 January, 2024, police in Airdrie received a report of a dog-on-dog attack in Greengairs, which reportedly took place around 3.45pm on Wednesday, 10 January.
“The matter was referred to the dog warden.” A council spokesperson said: “Our Animal Welfare service was made aware of the incident on 15 January. They have investigated and action has been taken to try to ensure the dogs involved are kept under control.
“Under the terms of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, local authorities can only prosecute a dog owner where there has been a corroborated breach of the terms of a Dog Control Notice. As no such notice was in place on any of the dogs at the time of this incident, we were not able to prosecute the owner of the other dogs regardless of the severity of the incident.
“The legislation also does not allow the dogs to be seized from their owner.”