Kids aged 7-8 attacked my dog, dog bit one on the hand, family are going to police. what can I expect to happen?

What to Do After Your Dog Bites a Child: Navigating the Fall Out

Recently, my wife and I found ourselves in an alarming situation while walking our whippet. We were enjoying a peaceful evening stroll, when suddenly, a group of six young children, estimated to be ages 7-9, came running towards us, shouting enthusiastically, “DOGGY!” Unfortunately, their exuberance quickly turned into chaos.

Our dog, overwhelmed and frightened by the unexpected attention, began to whimper and attempted to hide behind us. Despite our pleas for the children to keep a safe distance, they surrounded us and began roughly petting and slapping our dog, all the while exclaiming how cute she was. The situation escalated as our dog, overwhelmed by fear, emitted her signature scream, a sound she makes when frightened.

As my wife tried to move away with our dog on her leash, the children blocked our path, continuing their aggressive interaction. Recognizing the distress of our pet, my wife pleaded for the kids to stop, but their antics only escalated. Eventually, in a moment of panic, our whippet snapped at one of the children, resulting in a minor bite that drew blood.

This triggered a cascade of frightened reactions; several children ran away screaming, while one child began to cry hysterically. Unfortunately, a couple of the remaining kids responded by kicking our dog, causing injury to her leg.

Intervening, I managed to separate the child from our whippet and pushed him aside while shouting to make them leave. My wife quickly took our injured dog home to seek veterinary care, while I escorted the wounded child back to their parents.

To my dismay, their reaction was to express outrage and threaten to involve the police in order to prosecute us, discussing potential consequences such as having our dog euthanized. This experience has left me feeling a mix of anger and deep concern for our dog’s well-being, especially as she now has a fractured leg due to the altercation.

Now, I find myself contemplating the next steps. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are a few considerations:

1. Remain Calm and Document Everything: Write down every detail about the incident, including the time, place, and specific actions of both parties involved. If possible, take photographs of your dog’s injuries and any relevant surroundings.

2. Consider Legal Advice: It’s important to consult a solicitor experienced in animal law or personal injury