Wheldon Law, 1 The Waterhouse, Waterhouse Street HP1 1ES Hemel Hempstead

Happy new year everyone.

Rolo is home for Christmas! Rolo was seized by police 8 months ago after he allegedly nipped two neighbours causing very minor injuries. Rolo’s owners pleaded not guilty to the charges and their trial will take place next summer. In the meantime, we obtained a very favourable behavioural assessment in Rolo and the police agreed he could return home subject to conditions Welcome home Rolo.

Say hello to gorgeous Dottie who was today made the subject of a contingent destruction order allowing her to go and live with a new keeper after her original keeper passed away. We wish her and her adoring new keeper many happy years together. Many thanks to DDA Watch for their financial support with this case and to Carla Lane Animals in Need for carrying out a home assessment on the new keeper.

This morning we presented a dog law update to our some of our friends at Dogs Trust and this afternoon it was the turn of expert witness Jeff Turner to provide a guide to identifying prohibited types of dog. Usually we would have travelled to one of the Dogs Trust centres to do this, but as a sign of the times, today’s training was done virtually via Zoom. It was different to our usual training sessions, but was very enjoyable. One of the very few good things to have come out of this awful pandemic is that many of us have had to embrace technology that we would have otherwise have avoided. Adapt and overcome!

This is Hiccup and Aquila who recently moved to England from the Caribbean. Prior to the move, their owner contacted us as she was worried that they may be categorised as prohibited types of dog in England. A type assessment was done which said that neither of them was type and we liaised with the local police regarding their arrival, which all went very smoothly. They are now all settled in their new home although we doubt they have got used to the change in temperature yet!

Shumba escaped from the home while his owner was out and he was left in the care of another person. Shumba, who is usually very friendly towards other dogs, then attacked another dog causing very minor injuries (a stiff hip) and bit the owner of the other dog causing several minor injuries (scratches and grazes). The person in charge of the dog was not prosecuted but Shumba's owner was prosecuted and convicted. He was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment, disqualification fro...m keeping dogs for 10 years and a destruction order was made against Shumba. He was granted bail pending appeal. We were then instructed to represent the owner in an appeal against conviction and sentence which was heard yesterday in the crown court. We are delighted to say that the appeal was successful which means that the destruction order against Shumba is lifted. His owner has improved security at the property to ensure that Shumba cannot escape in the future. As is always the case, this was a team effort with thanks going to Pamela Rose of counsel and Mike Barnett as expert.