I discovered my neighbour abusing his dog and acted before thinking; is he likely to approach the police?

Question

Note: I am in the UK.

Answer 1

Yikes.  From a police point of view you could be in pretty hot water,  Due to the circumstances I strongly urge you to get representation before you do anything,  You started out with the best of intentions and one would hope that would mitigate your admittedly getting too hot.  (At least you have film that will not allow the neighbor to exaggerate your actions or omit what he was doing.)  However society and law does not always make the distinction between pounding someone in their own backyard and pounding them in their own backyard because the may have deserved it.

Best of luck to you, truly.  Let us know what happens.  

Answer 2

Given that you have the footage I would be surprised if your neighbour has gone to the police. I assume he knows he was filmed. I think you would be in trouble if he did report the assault. You do need to report his abuse towards as he will be prevented from having any more pets. Best wishes.

Answer 3

good on u!!! Any police officer should see your point!! I doubt the man will press charges as he has alot more than that to worry about now!! some people should not be allowed on this earth xx

Answer 4

Wow! That has to be the longest question i have ever read!

Well....you have got your self in quite a pickel, eh? But saved a dog from an even bigger one.

I think i would call the police and the RSPCA. And you could explain to both of them what happened, so then you don't need to worry about the man coming after you. The dog will then be in very safe hands!

Hope this helps.

Just curious.....How did you do it all with a hangover?!

XXXXXXX

Answer 5

if he has any other animals that u know off call a animal protection center and alert them of what went on with the dog in lost palces if u look at the old laws u get a worse punishment for that then abusing a kid or a spouce  and they still do pretty harsh but useful punishments for the ppl now as for u u have a chance to have asul charges pressed but after a strong explination of what happened u will most likley get a lessoned punishment just keep in mind that in the 1400' the only abuse shelters u could find were for animals early 1800s was the first report of child abuse and then they finally made shelters for kids and the womens/spouse shelters were just made in the 1900's cause thats when the abused adults started getting smart and leaving but in the early 1800's u could kill ur child and no one cared till one revoloutionist that said hey this is wrong and when women could stand on their own they were finally seen as ppl not just a thing to have kids and look pretty

Answer 6

You being drunk may be enough to make intent impossible to prove. I agree that you should talk to a lawyer first.

Answer 7

i dont think he will go to the police, if he's doing this to his dog what else is he doing. If he did though i think you will have a good case you were preventing animal torture thats got to stand for something

Good on you though mate for standing up for the dog. You could have got yourself a new pet now though because i doubt you would let it go to live with your neighbour  

Answer 8

Firstly report what you have seen to the rspca, they will attend, next report the incident to the police just to get your version of events in first.

Thank you for sticking your neck out for this dog, if only more people would, as for mittigation or a defence this guy knows he can be nicked for deliberate cruelty so he will probebly lie through his teeth, nice idea (the scouse kiss) but naughty you can plead self defence or he came at you and you bent down inadvertantly making contact the boxers do it hope you are ok , bloody well done mate.

Answer 9

I`ve seen dog owners use a cigarette to burn off ticks on their dogs.Could your neighbour have just been doing this ?

Answer 10

i think you should look in the mirror and be happy with what you see staring back at you. (a man to be proud of.) it doesn't matter what they do to you. you'll all ways walk tall my friend. i salute you.

Answer 11

Good for you!!

As far as the police know---- when you cussed the man for abusing his dog -- he swung at you and you hit back.  (you have a witness ;).

Also-- call animal control or what ever agency you have that investigates animal cruelty. That man should be prosecuted and never allowed to own an animal again.  Give them a copy of the tape and photo the dogs injuries.  

Answer 12

You should report him to the rspca as you have evidence of his cruelty. they will come and see the dog and look after it, they then prosecute or will get the coppers involved if required.

You shouldn't have nuted him or kicked him in the tessies but I bet it felt good!

You could be looking at a GBH charge if his nose is broken, but didn't your mate see this bloke lunge at you? Know what I mean,nudge nudge.

Answer 13

call the police. they can charge him with quite a few things, that and the spca (im sure there's a branch in the UK, society for prevention of cruelty to animals). the cops can charge him with neglect and assult i beleive...but you would have to check with the police on that. but i KNOW they can be charged.

i believe you can also be charged with assult for hitting and injuring the man though as well. but with charges on him of cruelty to animals, he will not be able to own another dog. you might want to seek a lawyer's advice before you report him.

Answer 14

I am sure you have had good advice think himself lucky it was you and not me because i would of stuck the cigar in his eye the P**ck

Answer 15

You deserve a medal, my faith in the human race has suddenly been restored.. I would have done a lot worse to this monster. I am sure the vet will advise you what to do about the poor dog. Take the advice of edd the fed. Good luck and well done.

Answer 16

contact the police and the rspca

Answer 17

Because he was caught abusing his dog he might also be scared that you might go to the police rather than think about going to the police himself. If he does decide to take action against you, you can make a deal with him, get him to drop the case if you promise not to report him to the rspca, if you are in uk, or any other animal welfare authority if you are in another country. You will have the advantage that the rspca will be paying for the court case not you. And if he does bring a case against you, you can also please self defence. It's his word against yours and you have a witness who will back anything you say.

But whatever you do please don't give the poor dog back to this evil man.

Answer 18

Firstly, well done for acting and rescuing the animal.

As much as I think anyone would have done the same and given the guy a slap, he could still contact the police and they would arrest you for assault (depending on what injuries he had the charge could be more).

The only mitigation in assault would be self defence which is not the case here.

I would immediately contact the RSPCA and have them take a look at the dog and hopefully take it into care.

I would not tell the police of your assault as that is likely to backfire. If this guy has been mistreating the dog then the likelyhood is that he won't report your assault.

If he does report it then hopefully the police will understand the reasons but I would not guarantee it.

Answer 19

I applaud you on your actions and I thank you on behalf of all mis-treated animals. Thank God you were there. Sounds like this fat bas**rd got what he deserves, a little more though would have been good.

Please please please take your evidence to the police and the RSPCA, don't miss this chance of getting him done for cruelty or he'll just get another dog and do the same thing all over again. I doubt very much that he will make a complaint against you, especially as you were trying to protect the dog and your friend whilst he was rescuing it. The video will be more than enough to qualify your actions. If more people got involved when they see this sort of thing then these animals would have the chance of a better future.  

Good on yer, kidda.

Answer 20

Oh dude, you got yourself quite a pickle there.

First of all, Bravo.!!!! for saving the wee dog.

The fact that you have it on video, will help the case against the man, but the moment you laid hands on him, made you liable for prosecution also.

There is also every chance that the vet will inform the police.

So unless your friend is willing to lie for you, I think you will be charged,(if the old man makes a complaint.)

Saying that, given the circumstances, it should only be a small fine, unless your known to the police for similar offences.

I hope it all works out for you.

Answer 21

If your in the US we call the ARPA(something like that) or animal control they are just as empowered as a regular police officer.  Show them the video and email it to them if you can.  As to the physical violence on your part ya got to be careful there.  A dog is a dog and human is a human.  Humans have more rights and are protected more in law.  If I were you I would deny hurting the guy and make sure my friend will back me up.  Two against one.. But I would have never hurt the old man.. Oh and I would edit out and completely destroy the parts other then the dog getting hurt.