Crowborough woman taking RSPCA to High Court over dog attack

Joanna Harris, from Crowborough, described how she had to rush into her garden to seek her neighbour’s help with her American bulldog Kiwi still latched onto her arm after being unable to shake him off.

She said the 15-month-old dog, fostered from the RSPCA, clamped his jaws on her limb moments after she had managed to get him off her pet dog, Bo.

Ms Harris is suing the animal charity in a high court claim.

Ms Harris said her neighbour had to call the police and an ambulance as the dog pulled and shook on her arm and attempted to bite her neck.

When police arrived around 20 minutes later, Kiwi was still attached to Ms Harris's left arm, she said.

Officers tried to release the dog but when that did not work, they had to Taser him three times to subdue him, according to documents submitted to the High Court.

Ms Harris was taken to hospital with her left bicep exposed, no mobility in her arm, and the blood supply to her arm lost, she said.

Joanna in hospital after her amputation (Image: Joanna Harris)

She described how, as well as having her arm amputated, she also suffered injuries to her right arm, hand and leg. The dog was put down.

Her legal team said that as a result of her injuries she had to take a substantial amount of time off from her job as a product owner lead in the financial service industry.

The 49-year-old described the devastating effect the attack, on September 3, 2021, has had on her life.

“It’s almost difficult to put into words what happened to me and the impact it’s had,” she said.

“I’ve always loved and grown up around dogs and 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 is something that will stay with me forever.

“It was absolutely terrifying.

“Even when the police arrived Kiwi didn’t want to let go.

“The pain I was in was excruciating and I knew I was in a bad way.

“However, nothing prepared me for the news that I had to have my arm amputated.

“At that moment my life changed. I lost a lot of confidence and independence.

Joanna says she has to rely heavily on her family and friends (Image: Joanna Harris)

“I became a lot more reliant on friends and family, even for things such as getting dressed and food shopping, things many people take for granted.

“I try and remain as positive as I can and want to focus on my recovery, but I feel I deserve answers to the concerns I have.”

She is now taking the RSPCA to London’s High Court to claim for damages in excess of £200,000, to help her with specialist support, rehabilitation and therapies she requires.

In court documents, Ms Harris's lawyers from Irwin Mitchell argue that the RSPCA is liable under the Animals Act.

They claim the alleged breaches of the act include that the RSPCA allowed Kiwi to be fostered when it was unsafe to do so.

Joanna Harris with Kiwi (Image: Joannas Harris)

The RSPCA has denied liability and is defending against the legal claim.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “This was a distressing incident, and our thoughts go out to Ms Harris.

“We assess the health and behavioural needs of animals before rehoming and where necessary, we provide a full behavioural plan.

“Our branches and centres are available to support them or take an animal back into our care if the new owner does not feel happy or safe. We cannot say any more at this time because of ongoing legal proceedings, which the RSPCA is defending.”