Pensioner breaks hip in Rottweiler attack (From Enfield Independent)

Call for dangerous dog action after Enfield pensioner suffers broken hip in Albany Park

11:35am Monday 23rd January 2012 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

A PENSIONER is urging owners to keep their dogs on a lead after a visit to a park in Enfield left him with a broken hip.

Tom Deane, 73, now has to use a walking frame and sleep downstairs at his home in Ferndale Road, Enfield, after being jumped on by a eight-stone Rottweiler in Albany Park, Bell Lane, on December 27.

His wife Diane said: “So many people round here have got dogs they don’t keep under control.

“Dog owners have got to be more responsible and think about the effects an out-of-control dog can have – the amount that come up and jump at you is ridiculous.

“If it had happened to my young granddaughter, I don’t dare to think what could have happened.”

However, police told the couple they could not prosecute the dog owner because Mr Dean had not been bitten.

Enfield Council launched a £38,000 scheme to tackle dangerous dogs in the borough’s parks last summer, but there are only two patrollers who teach owners of intimidating pets how to keep them under control.

A petition – backed by the Enfield Independent – was handed to Prime Minister David Cameron last May calling for stiffer penalties for owners of banned dogs and swifter justice in cases of attack.

Mrs Deane added: “I think people just don’t think about the effects this can have – we’ve had to move Tom’s bed downstairs because he can’t manage the stairs.

“And my daughter relies on us for childcare which is now a problem.”

A survey last year showed fear of aggressive dogs was among people's top concerns and Mayor of London Boris Johnson called for the sentencing for owners of dangerous dogs to be in line with punishments for people caught with a knife.