– Dogs have been an important part of my life, and they have given me a lot of joy. Now my situation is such that I hardly venture outside the house. I am afraid of meeting dogs and especially wolfdogs. In April this year, Helena H. Høie and her dog Theo were attacked by five Irish wolfhounds outside an animal clinic in Askim. Høie suffered severe bite injuries, and was hospitalized for one month after the incident. Helena H. Høie was admitted to hospital with severe bite injuries. Her right hand has reduced function after the incident. Photo: Privat Now the police believe that three of the dogs should be euthanized, because they have been attacked several times. – An overall assessment of each individual dog has been carried out, says police attorney Victoria Palm to news. Smaalenenes Avis mentioned the case first. Reacting to the decision The attack has turned Helena H. Høie’s life upside down. She describes the whole thing as a traumatic experience. She continues to receive follow-up from the healthcare system. – I am aware that my fear is irrational, but the anxiety the attack has put in me is greater than reason. I have a significantly reduced quality of life with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks and nightmares, as well as constant tension and a lot of pain. – The attack has also changed my safe dog. It hurts to see my dog suffer, she adds. The dog Theo has changed after the attack. He also suffered severe bite injuries and now he is scared when he hears noises or sees other dogs, and has developed separation anxiety. Photo: prviat Reported two years ago Two years ago, Vetle Johansen was attacked by five Irish wolfhounds when he was jogging with his dog Lego on a hiking trail in Askim. He reported the case, which was later transferred to the conflict council for mediation. Since the mediation was not carried out, the case was sent back to the police. The dog’s owner was then charged with not prosecuting. Vetle Johansen and the dog Lego (7) were attacked and injured by five Irish wolfhounds when they were out for a run two years ago. Photo: Privat Earlier this year, Smaalenenes Avis wrote about yet another dog attack in Askim that took place in October 2022. According to the newspaper, a lady and her dog were attacked by the same Irish wolfhounds. Now Høie expects the police to take action, so that no more people and animals have to go through the same thing. – Had the police realized the seriousness of previous attacks, I would have been spared a lot of pain, says Høie. The owners suspect According to the police, the other two dogs, which have a different owner, have not attacked people or animals before. Therefore, the police allow them to live on, under certain conditions. The police have made an order that the dogs must always be walked on a leash, and that they must not be let out at the same time. Police Attorney Victoria Palm. Photo: The police The police have also opened a criminal case against the dog owners. They are both suspected of violating the Dog Act. – When there are dogs that have previously attacked others, an assessment is also made as to whether the owner is fit to have a dog, says police attorney Palm. The Dog Act in Norway On 1 January 2023, the Act amending the Dog Act entered into force. One of the biggest changes is that the dog is held responsible to a lesser extent for its problematic behaviour. The searchlight, on the other hand, is aimed at the owner. The law now defines “damage” and “significant damage” to people. “Injury” amounts to “bite of teeth touching skin with some pressure” that gives you a mark. “Significant damage” is more serious cases, for example “several deep, punctate wounds reaching deep into the subcutaneous tissue” and “expulsion, deep laceration, in the subcutaneous tissue or musculature”. If a dog has attacked a child under the age of 12 and still poses a clear danger, the police can immediately euthanize the dog. If the dog has killed or caused significant damage to a person over the age of 12, immediate euthanasia can take place. However, in the case of injury to persons over 12 years of age that is not significant, the police cannot decide to euthanize on the spot. Source: Lovdata Has complained about the decision The owner of the dogs the police want to euthanize writes in an e-mail to Smaalenenes Avis that the case has been so burdensome that she has been called in sick. – I take this matter very seriously, and will of course do my utmost to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again. I have taken measures at home by putting up a higher fence and a new dog kennel. This is the worst thing I have experienced in my life, she writes to the newspaper. She has complained about the euthanasia decision. The complaint must be processed by the Norwegian Police Directorate (POD). Until a decision from POD is available, the dogs are placed in a kennel. None of the dog owners have responded to news’s inquiries about the matter.
ttn-69
The police will euthanize dogs that attacked a woman in Askim – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
