THE GRANDSON of an elderly woman whose dog was savagely killed in an unprovoked attack by another dog is calling on police to investigate.
John Price’s infirm grandmother Kathleen has been left devastated after her beloved dog Jambo was viciously killed by another dog.
Family friend Christine Bullivant was walking Jambo in Durham Croft, Chelmsley Wood last Monday (February 22), when another dog – described as large and light brown – ran out from a garden gate, leapt on Jambo and killed him in a vicious attack.
But when they called the police, the family were told by officers that they were ‘not interested’ in dogs killing each other.
Mr Price, a 24-year-old translator, said: “We have been told there is a ‘loophole’ in the dangerous dogs legislation which means it only applies to dogs vs people.
“But in the Dangerous Dogs Act clearly states that it is a criminal offense for the person in charge of a dog to allow it to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place.
“It also says that a dog does not have to bite to be deemed dangerous in the eyes of the law.
“Would you say that a dog wandering the street freely that lethally savages another dog in an entirely unprovoked attack – breaking the victim dog’s neck and removing several teeth as well as causing severe blood loss – is out of control? Because I certainly would.”
Kathleen is understood to be devastated, having named the bichon frise Jambo – meaning ‘hello’ in Kenyan – in memory of her time spent in the country.
But Mr Price argues Jambo was his grandmother’s personal property – an investment of thousands of pounds in food and veterinary bills over the years – and that it would be a police matter if the damage had been caused to a car, rather than a dog.
“It seems like the police are ignoring any preventative approach,” Mr Price said.
“But it is only a matter of time before that dog attacks again.
“The police have not been to visit my grandmother and, as far as we are aware, have not sent anyone to visit the property where this vicious dog lives.
“There are a lot of dog-lovers in the community and I would hate for someone else to go through the same pain as my grandmother.
“The injustice of what has happened is appalling, and there continues to be a lethal animal on the loose who could kill a child and, I dare say, a fully grown adult.”
West Midlands Police have been contacted for a response, but had not replied when the Observer went to press.
