Hi everyone,
I have a Doberman who is really protective of me. I'm a single woman who lives alone, and I feel safer with my dog around. However, I've been wondering about the legal implications if my dog were to attack someone who was threatening me.
Would I be held liable for any injuries the person sustained? Would my dog be considered dangerous and be put down? I live in the UK and I want to make sure that I'm following the laws properly.
I appreciate any insights you can provide. Thank you!

Hi there,
I can share my personal experience with a similar situation. My Doberman is also very protective of me, and one day while we were out for a walk, a man approached us and made threatening gestures towards me.
Without hesitation, my dog jumped in front of me and snapped at the man, causing him to back off. Luckily, the man wasn't hurt too badly, but he did make a complaint to the authorities about my dog's behavior.
In the end, I wasn't held liable for any damages, as the man was deemed to have provoked my dog. However, the council did require me to take a behavioral assessment course with my dog, to ensure that she was properly controlled in public settings.
So, my advice to you is to make sure that you have control over your dog and that you understand its behavior cues. If you do find yourself in a situation where your dog feels the need to protect you, make sure that you take all necessary precautions and follow the law to prevent any legal consequences.
Hope this helps!