Thank you to everyone who pointed out this Press and Journal article (page 3) today. There is proof that, over on the mainland beat, Northern 
Constabulary officers are working professionally and diligently to haul owners of out-of-control dogs before the courts for attacking other dogs. The report of an incident in Lochcarron confirms that a report is going to the fiscal. Contrast that with the situation in the Western Isles where dogs are regularly savaged by some very ferocious canines who are in the care of some incredibly irresponsible owners but the local police seem to do little if anything. Let’s be honest – it seems to many complainers as if police are doing nothing.
Some think this is a case of a lesser quality of policing being offered in the islands because islanders don’t complain and meekly accept whatever level of service they get.
I was over in Callanish to get the details (to be published here soon) of how a wee dog there was ripped to pieces and killed by a mad collie. A breathless police officer arrived and promised fast action. A report would go to the fiscal – blah, blah, blah. That was two months ago. What has happened? Er, nothing. Which is why the mad dog owner is not having the ferocious beast put down.
I will ask the Crown Office about that report but there hasn’t been even a phone call from Stornoway Police to explain the inaction to a householder who has suffered several bereavements before she witnessed that horrendous incident. It meant she had lost a much-loved companion but not even a flipping phone call. Nothing.
Inevitably, such regular failures by Church Street’s finest results in claims surfacing that certain local police officers in the islands are not just lazy and not doing their jobs but also now telling lies. I don’t think that’s the case. I suspect the problem is at management level which seems to be not bothered if it comes across as unsympathetic and not prepared to listen. It also seems to currently be acting as if it is utterly unaccountable.
If that is how they treat complainers, the procedures and guidance drawn up by management for officers must be a mess. No follow-up. Callous non-communication. Things must be bad. What else are they not doing?
Perhaps the local police management’s attitude to dangerous dogs is merely a symptom of a deeper institutional meltdown because more serious issues are bubbling under. We may be about to hear soon enough.
The Chief Inspector is well aware that I want an on-the-record radio interview to put some serious questions to him. Obviously, he’s a busy man and hasn’t found the time to call me yet.
“Police should get off their backsides” – that STV report about this. Click here. Starts at 9:25.
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ISLAND police are facing fury with an official complaint now looking likely because they allegedly failed to take action after a pet dog had its neck ripped open by another out-of-control dog.
The gruesome incident, in which a Cocker Spaniel was attacked by what was thought to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, happened in the grounds of Lews
Mischa's neck after the op. Whose dog, child or granny will be next?
Castle. Although the injured dog suffered a large gaping neck wound and had to undergo an emergency operation, her owner has been told by police they will take no action against the other owner.
Housewife Mrs Kristeen Munro, of Bakers Road near Stornoway, said she and her pet Mischa, aged two, were in the grounds on August 28 when the attack happened.
She said she saw a man with two dogs which ran up to Mischa and at first she thought they were being playful. “Then one of the dogs turned mine onto her back and sank its teeth in her neck and locked on and began to shake her. I couldn’t believe it – especially as its owner just watched.”
Despite the danger to herself, Kristeen tried to separate them in a bid to save her dog. “I was punching it. I was kicking it. I was crying. I was on my hands and knees with a collar in each hand and the other owner did nothing to help. He just sauntered on.” When the attacking dog finally fled, Kristeen shouted after the owner to say she was calling the police. “I got a tirade of abuse in return. When the officers came, I told them the direction he had gone.”
Mischa is recovering
Mischa’s neck had been cut open. Kristeen called the vet who immediately performed a lifesaving operation and seven stitches were put in her neck.
Afterwards, Kirsteen met the officers who said they had spoken to the attacking dog’s owner. When she asked if he was being charged, Kristeen was shocked to be told no. She later learned that a sergeant had actually seen the attack dog still with blood around its mouth.
“They told me they were taking no further action and advised me to call the council dog warden. This has traumatised not just the dog but our whole family. Although Mischa is recovering, my daughter is now having nightmares about being mauled by dogs. That is what disturbs me about the police attitude.”
Western Isles Council would only say they would be investigating the circumstances and would then take appropriate action. A police spokesman confirmed that all officers had the option to make a report to the procurator fiscal for possible court action about dangerous dogs if they felt that was appropriate.
However, a Northern Constabulary statement said: “Details of this case were passed to the acting Dog Warden (Environmental Services Department CNES), a department which has the necessary powers under the Control of Dogs Act 2010 to effectively deal with such incidents. This has been communicated to the complainer.
“Police do also have powers under the terms of the Act to deal with animals which are deemed out of control, however, each case must be analysed on a case by case basis. If an incident results in any injury to a member of the public the community can be reassured that Police will take the appropriate action. No person was injured as a result of the incident in question.”
It is understood the council believes it can only order the dog to be muzzled out of doors and is not in a position to take the matter to court – despite assurances by police to the contrary.
Chief Inspector Gordon Macleod, the area commander for the Western Isles, is refusing to be interviewed about the case – despite the strong local feelings which may affect the reputation of Stornoway Police.
An animal welfare specialist said: “There was serious crime here and the police should have dealt with it properly. I am shocked that they have left it to a local authority.”
A longtime owner said one of her dogs was also viciously attacked in Bayble in the Point district of the island two months ago. She also says she was sworn at by a man who was with that attacker.
“Some of us have known for some time that Stornoway police are not interested in dealing with dangerous dogs. You cannot help the feeling there is a tragedy waiting to happen,” she said.
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Kristeen Munro says she is now considering taking the matter to the Deputy Chief Constable and possibly to the Police Complaints Commissioner so that her complaint that Stornoway officers’ failure to act professionally to protect the public can be independently reviewed.
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Highlands & Islands
