An 82-year-old man from Worthing in West Sussex needed plastic surgery after being attacked by his rescue dog, which had a history of biting that was not disclosed to him. Mike Maidment was bitten on the hand by the terrier, Barney, and suffered injuries requiring 'a mass of stitches'.
His wife Carol said they would not have taken the dog on had they known it had previously bitten its former owner. The attack occurred without warning or provocation, according to Mr Maidment, who put his hands up to protect his face.
Mrs Maidment is now calling for a change in the law to force animal charities to disclose if a dog has a history of biting. 'When a dog has viciously attacked a human being, that has to be information given to anybody that's going to rehome that dog,' she said.
She added that had her husband been a two-year-old, the attack could have been fatal. Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine, described animal rescue as currently 'pretty unregulated' and suggested there may be a need for licensing or oversight.
Mrs Maidment believes a legal requirement for charities to disclose biting history would prevent similar incidents. The couple hope their case will lead to better regulation for rehomed animals.
