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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 14 September 2007

Ken with one of his West Highland terriers

Dog attack victim had his finger sewn back on in hospital

Savage pit bull ‘left me traumatised for ages’

KEN Duncan, a senior manager for the Charity Commission, will never forget the day he was attacked by a pit bull-type dog in Finsbury while walking his terriers.
Mr Duncan, 57, had the top of his left ring finger bitten off and was taken by ambulance to University College Hospital in Euston for micro- surgery to have it re-attached.
He spoke about the ordeal this week while welcoming moves by Islington Council to slap Asbo-style bans on dangerous dog owners, as reported in last week’s Tribune.
The incident two years ago happened at 7.20am as Mr Duncan walked his West Highland terriers Ellie and Angus back to his home off St John’s Street.
“The pit bull was running around Northampton Square Park, where there shouldn’t be any dogs, when it attacked Ellie and bit her on the back,” Mr Duncan said.
“I tried to separate the animals and the pit bull turned on me and bit off the top of my finger. There was blood everywhere.”
In hospital he needed three micro-surgical operations to have the finger reattached.
“The owner of the pit bull was screaming hysterically but she didn’t even apologise,” he added.
The police later took a statement from him but no one was prosecuted and he heard no more.
Mr Duncan added: “The incident traumatised me for ages. I lost the feeling at the end of my finger and I can’t wear my wedding ring because my finger is permanently swollen.
“The police were not very helpful.
“They wouldn’t give me any information about the owner of the pit bull.”
Mr Duncan welcomes the council’s introduction of a raft of measures to tackle owners who breed dogs to fight. But he does not expect much change.
“It’s raising awareness but without proper enforcement it’s meaningless,” he said. “The parks police do a wonderful job but they have one vehicle to cover the whole of Islington.
“For example, most responsible dog owners hate it when animals are allowed to mess on the pavements. But people are understandably terrified of complaining to the dog owners responsible in case they get a mouthful of abuse, or worse.”
Council wardens have not issued a single £80 fixed penalty notice to an owner who allows a dog to foul the street.
Mr Duncan has launched a Finsbury Dog Group, with more than 20 members who hold regular meetings.
“It’s to try and bring responsible dog owners to the forefront to help get something done about the irresponsible ones,” he added.
“We also want to campaign against plans to ban dogs from several parks in the area and give dog owners a new voice.”

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