Irresponsible dog owners count costs of attack

10 February 2010

Please note: these pages contain archived information. Whilst the details were correct when first published, they may since have 'aged' and some of the information could be out-of-date. For this reason, links in the content of archive news stories have been disabled.

Three dog owners, whose dogs attacked a fellow owner's dog, were counting the cost of their actions, following a decision at Woking Magistrates' Court (Friday 29 January).

The attack occurred at a popular dog walking spot off Mill Lane, Byfleet last May, when an Alaskan Malamute, owned by Paul and Samantha O'Connor, and a Weimaraner, owned by Mrs Sheila Schofield, both from Byfleet, carried out an unprovoked attack on a Border Collie, leaving it requiring urgent veterinary assistance. The owner of the Border Collie reported the incident to Woking Borough Council's Dog Warden.

At court, a dog control order was placed on both dogs. The Magistrates ordered that the dogs must be walked on a lead whenever in a public place and that the dogs must not come into contact with each other, without reasonable excuse. If the control order is breached, the owners could face criminal proceedings. Mr and Mrs O'Connor were ordered to pay £100 each in costs and Mrs Schofield was ordered to pay £200 in costs.

Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Environmental Control, Cllr Beryl Hunwicks, said: "Although dog attacks in Woking are rare, there is a minority of owners who don't behave in a responsible manner and ignore their responsibilities towards their own pets, other animals and the wider community. This incident must have been extremely upsetting for the owner of the injured dog, and I would encourage anyone who has experienced violence towards their dog to contact our Dog Warden."

Residents who wish to find out more about responsible dog ownership, or would like to report an incident, should contact Woking Borough Council's Dog Warden, Neville Cast, on 01483 755855 or email neville.cast@woking.gov.uk