Canine attack victim will use ancient law to track down attacker
Phil Harris and his boxer dog, Libby, were attacked by the “totally out of control” dog in April, which was reported in the Courier and Observer in May.
The six-year-old boxer died from complications after the attack.
Mr Harris thinks he has traced the female owner of the dog who attacked them and has reported her details to police.
However he is prepared to take action himself under the Dogs Act 1871.
“If the police don’t do anything, then I will pursue it under the Dogs Act, which is still in force. I can go to the magistrates; I don’t want to have to do that,” he said.
After the attack, the 56-year-old went from house to house seeing if he could trace the owner of the Staffordshire bull terrier who attacked them in the recreation ground on Lingfield Road.
He said: “One resident chased me down the road to tell me he identified who the woman was and her dogs as soon as he read the original article.
“The woman lives opposite him and according to him, has been a nuisance with her dogs over a long time.
“ I feel there’s a possibility of the dog attacking someone else.”
Libby lost site in one eye and then died following an operation on May 25.
He said: “Her health deteriorated and she suffered kidney and heart failure and the only option to save her any further suffering was to put her to sleep.
“Now I’ve lost my companion.”
Mr Harris is now determined to bring the owner of the dog who attacked Libby to justice.
If anyone has any more information they should contact PC Nick Follett who is dealing with the incident on 0845 6070999.
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