25/05/2026
I don’t normally post anything that isn’t pretty bland or concerned with the business, I have strong opinions but without knowing every fact I feel unqualified to comment publicly. But I know the people concerned with this situation and have done for all my adult life so I’m beyond upset and horrified by what happened to them recently. I can’t give names as complaints need to be made and some younger members of the family are blissfully unaware of what has happened to their beloved grandparents.
If you have dogs read on…
A friend’s parents, hard working, law abiding farmers in their mid to late 80’s with a big dog-not on the banned breeds register but big, from a rescue centre. This couple have had dogs their whole lives, they are not stupid.
Recently when walking the dog on a lead, a small dog, off the leash came running up to it and bit it, the other dog retaliated. Neither dog needed veterinary attention.
Soon after, SIX police officers arrived and accused my friend’s parents of having a dangerously out of control dog and that they had a week to rehome the dog or have it PTS.
Simply taking the word of a small dog owner that was OFF THE LEAD.
When my friends parents questioned the legality of this they were told the dog would have to be taken into kennels while the court case was prepared-obviously these things take ages-and then it would probably be PTS anyway.
They gave her back to the rescue unable to risk that. Obviously they are devastated and a much loved family pet is now in a rescue centre along with goodness knows how many other dogs.
If this is a legal action, that the police can just decide, on a random stranger’s accusation, that a dog is “dangerous” we could all be in trouble.
Our Maggie is reactive to other dogs and although she’s never bitten I now have a new fear that a malicious/ stupid person could declare Maggie frightened them and the police can seemingly do whatever they want. At least she’s “just” a spaniel but what about the owners of GSD, Rotties, dobermans etc etc ?
I’ve always blindly thought that the police are there to do the right thing, look after us, be the “ Sarah Lancashire” of Happy Valley.
I’m sad that isn’t the case.
