An American bulldog owner whose left arm had to be amputated after being viciously attacked by the pet is suing the RSCAP for more than £200,000.
The 15-month-old dog named Kiwi clamped its jaws on Joanna Harris’s arm in Crowborough, East Sussex – and police had to tase him three times to get him off her.
Ms. Harris, 49, was taken to hospital where her arm was amputated after her left bicep was exposed, unable to move and the blood supply was cut off.
She had fostered Kiwi from the RSPCA but claims she was not told it attacked two women eight months before turning on her after she bit her other dog, Bo.
During the September 2021 attack, Ms. Harris couldn’t shake her grip and went into her garden to ask a neighbor to call 999 for an ambulance and the police.
Joanne Harris, 49, from East Sussex, was taken to hospital where her left arm was amputated
Ms Harris fostered Kiwi the dog (above) from the RSPCA and had hoped to adopt him
Kiwi then started pulling and shaking her arm and trying to bite her neck – and by the time the police arrived about 20 minutes later, he was still attached to her.
Officers then tried to release the dog, but when that failed, they tasered it three times to restrain it, according to documents submitted to the Supreme Court.
Ms Harris was taken to hospital where she had to have her left arm amputated and also suffered injuries to her right arm, hand and leg.
She said, “It’s almost hard to put into words what happened to me and the impact it had. I have always loved and grew up with dogs and I really wanted to give a dog a home and a new life.
“What happened that day and how I was attacked in my own home will always be with me. It was absolutely terrifying. Even when the police arrived, Kiwi wouldn’t let go.”
Mrs. Harris went into her yard to ask a neighbor to dial 999 for an ambulance and the police
Ms Harris, who was hoping to adopt Kiwi before the incident, also said it happened days after the dog tried to bite her. Kiwi was later dropped.
Speaking of the attack and its impact, she added: “The pain I was in was unbearable and I knew I was in bad shape. However, nothing prepared me for the news that I had to have my arm amputated.
‘In that moment my life changed. I lost a lot of confidence and independence. I became much more dependent on friends and family, even for things like getting dressed and buying food, things that many people take for granted.
“I try to stay as positive as I can and want to focus on my recovery, but I feel I deserve answers to the concerns I have.”
Ms. Harris had to take significant time off from her job as a product owner lead in the financial services industry, and her lawyers at Irwin Mitchell said she was now dependent on her partner, neighbors and family to care for her.
Kiwi was laid down after the incident, requiring the amputation of Ms. Harris’ arm
The law firm added that it had instructed its serious injury attorneys to help her get specialized support, rehabilitation and therapies.
Chani Dhaliwal, representing her, said: ‘Joanna has had an incredibly difficult time coming to terms with the physical and psychological impact of the incident, which has changed her life forever. Her case vividly demonstrates the devastating effect such incidents can have on people.
“Understandably, she has some concerns about what happened and whether more could have been done to prevent her horrific injuries.
“While nothing can make up for what she has been through, we are committed to supporting Joanna in giving her not only the answers she deserves, but also the specialist support and therapies she needs to regain more of her independence.”
In court documents, Irwin Mitchell argues that the RSPCA is liable under the Animals Act.
Joanna Harris was attacked by the dog in Crowborough, East Sussex in September 2021
The alleged infringements included that the RSPCA should have known of the dog’s aggressive nature given the behavior he had previously displayed.
It is alleged that the RSPCA allowed Kiwi to be fostered when it was unsafe to do so.
It is also alleged that the RSPCA failed to remove Kiwi from Ms Harris’s home when she reported that he tried to bite her on August 26, 2021 – a week before the September 3 incident in which she was injured.
Mr Dhaliwal added: ‘Unfortunately, we are seeing more incidents where people are seriously injured in dog bite attacks. This is especially the case since the lockdown when dog ownership increased.’
An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘This was a distressing incident and our thoughts go out to Ms Harris. We assess the health and behavioral needs of animals prior to rehoming and develop a full behavior plan where necessary.
‘Our branches and centers are available to support them or take an animal back into our care if the new owner doesn’t feel happy or safe. We cannot say more at this time due to ongoing legal proceedings, which the RSPCA is defending.”