Colchester family say they were told to put dog down

Emmalisa Martin, who lives with her family in Shrub End, had tried to separate her two dogs, Rex and Deacon, when the two were fighting in the family’s front room last Tuesday.

In doing so Mrs Martin’s finger was bitten by three-year-old Rex, a chihuahua-cocker spaniel cross breed.

Mrs Martin’s concerned daughter phoned an ambulance after seeing her mother’s finger injury.

Warning: there is a graphic image towards the bottom of this article some may find upsetting.

When the ambulance arrived, a police officer also attended the scene and spoke with the family.

Heartbroken – Emmalisa Martin and her daughter, Jayleigh, have been left devastated that Rex was put down (Image: Emmalisa Martin)

The family were told if any dog is considered dangerously out of control in any place, including all private property, owners can face prosecution.

Owners can also decide to have their pet put down voluntarily.

But Mrs Martin, 46, said neither she nor her husband signed a disclaimer form to say Rex could be put down.

While Mrs Martin went to accident and emergency to have her finger treated, her husband, Aaron, took Rex to the vets.

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Mrs Martin says the family felt Rex should have been taken to a specialist who could conclude whether the dog was dangerous.

The family has now made a formal complaint to Essex Police.

Mrs Martin said: “It was very out of character for Rex; the two have a bit of a growl at each other occasionally, but a couple of minutes later it’s all over and done with – within 15 minutes, they’re cuddled up with each other and that’s it.

“They had a scuffle on my lap because they were trying to be top dog – I tried to separate them and I know I shouldn’t have done it.

Damaged – Emmalisa Martin's finger was left in a bad way after she tried to intervene when two of her dogs were involved in a scuffle with one another (Image: Emmalisa Martin)

“[The authorities] can suggest putting the dog down, but to enforce it, they need a report to take away the dog to be assessed.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We have received a complaint in relation to our response to a report of a dog behaving dangerously in Iceni Way, Colchester, shortly after 5.20pm on Tuesday 18 October.

"Officers responded to the incident and found two women had sustained injuries to their hands. One victim’s finger had been significantly damaged.

"The complaint will now be investigated appropriately, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further."