Latest news with #KarlaHaines
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Dog home boss who was mauled by rescued American bulldog sues the charity for £200k
A canine home chief is suing an animal charity for more than £200,000 after she was 'mauled' by an American Bulldog in an attack she says left her with PTSD. Karla Haines, 34, was working at the Dogs Trust's rehoming centre in Harefield, west London, when what has been described as a 'fierce and mischievous' bulldog cross named Jester sank its teeth into her arm. Ms Haines suffered multiple lacerations and puncture wounds, leaving permanent scarring and causing psychological injuries with 'PTSD-like symptoms,' her lawyers say. She is now suing the Dogs Trust, where she was assistant operations manager, for more than £200,000 in compensation - blaming the organisation for not properly controlling the territorial dog who she says was 'likely' to bite. Through its insurers, the Trust - Britain's largest canine welfare charity - has admitted breach of duty, but is challenging the amount in damages Ms Haines should get. According to documents filed at the High Court in London, the incident involved an attack by an American Bulldog cross named Jester which was being kept at the Trust's centre at Highway Farm House, in Harefield, Uxbridge. The centre is set in 16 acres of farmland and looks after around 150 dogs in facilities which include underfloor heating, glass fronted kennels, exercise paddocks, a puppy suite and sensory garden. 'On 3 July 2021, the claimant was in the re-homing concrete compound, having been brought in to help with the dog that was misbehaving,' her lawyers say in court documents. 'The claimant asked for the dog to be put on a lead, but the dog grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her. 'The dog is and was of a fierce and mischievous disposition and/or was likely, unless restrained, to bite anyone on the defendant's premises or to cause severe injury when defending what it regarded as its own territory, which characteristics were, or ought to have been known at all times to the defendant.' As well as the scarring and mental trauma of her ordeal, Ms Haines - who has a degree in animal behaviour and welfare - says she has been left suffering with 'hypersensitivity of the cubital tunnel of her right arm' after the attack. Her lawyers allege that her employers failed 'adequately or at all to retain the dog in a place of safety' and should have restrained Jester by leashing to a fixed point. Although its insurers have admitted breach of duty without admitting any specific fault, the trust insists Miss Haines was on Jester's 'safe list' - meaning she was one of the few who could safely handle him. The charity's solicitor Chrissie Paphitis said: 'It is averred that Jester had been placed on a lead prior to the claimant entering the compound. 'It is admitted that Jester nevertheless grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her.' 'The injuries as pleaded and detailed in the numerous reports are noted but not admitted, for want of knowledge. 'No admissions are made in respect of causation, and the claimant is put to strict proof in relation to any and all allegations of loss and damage.' The claim was initially pleaded on documents at being worth no more than £60,000. However, at a brief pre-trial hearing earlier this month, lawyers for Ms Haines told High Court judge Master Richard Armstrong she was now seeking compensation of 'over £200,000'. A trial of Ms Haines' damages claim will take place at a later date, unless the parties agree to settle outside of court.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- The Sun
Dog home boss mauled by rescued American bulldog SUES charity for £200k
A DOG home boss is suing for more than £200,000 after being savaged by a rescued American Bulldog in a violent attack at a rehoming centre. Karla Haines, 34, says she was left traumatised and permanently scarred after the Bulldog , named Jester, suddenly latched onto her arm and wouldn't let go during an incident at a Dogs Trust rehoming centre. 4 4 The horror unfolded at the charity's Harefield site in west London, where Ms Haines was working as assistant operations manager. She had been called in to help deal with the misbehaving rescue dog when the shocking attack happened on 3 July 2021. Despite requesting that the dog be put on a lead, court papers say Jester – described as a 'fierce and mischievous' American Bulldog cross – sank its teeth into her right arm, causing multiple puncture wounds and lasting nerve damage. Ms Haines, who holds a degree in animal behaviour and welfare, says the injuries have left her with long-term sensitivity in her arm and PTSD-like symptoms, including anxiety and flashbacks. She is now taking legal action against her former employer, claiming Dogs Trust failed to properly manage and restrain the aggressive animal, despite being aware of the risks. Her lawyers argue the dog should have been kept in a secure area or tied to a fixed lead point to prevent attacks on staff. The Harefield centre, which is set in 16 acres of countryside, houses up to 150 dogs at a time in swanky kennels fitted with underfloor heating, exercise paddocks and a sensory garden. But behind the scenes, Ms Haines alleges that safety protocols were not followed — and that she was effectively exposed to danger in the line of duty. Court documents state: 'The dog is and was of a fierce and mischievous disposition and/or was likely, unless restrained, to bite anyone on the defendant's premises or to cause severe injury when defending what it regarded as its own territory.' Although Dogs Trust has admitted a breach of duty through its insurers, the charity disputes the full amount of damages being claimed and says the extent of Ms Haines' injuries are 'not admitted'. Veterinarian Reveals the Worst Dog Breeds to Own The Trust also insists that Ms Haines was on Jester's 'safe list' — a group of approved staff members considered capable of handling the animal without issue. In a legal response, their solicitor Chrissie Paphitis said: 'It is averred that Jester had been placed on a lead prior to the claimant entering the compound. 'It is admitted that Jester nevertheless grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her.' But she added: 'No admissions are made in respect of causation, and the claimant is put to strict proof in relation to any and all allegations of loss and damage.' Which dog breeds are banned in the UK? THERE are specific regulations in place that prohibit certain dog breeds from being owned or bred in the UK. So what are the illegal dogs in the UK and why are they illegal? Here's what we know. Which dog breeds are illegal in the UK? People tend to think of large, vicious dogs when they imagine being bitten by one. But the truth is that many types of dogs are known to bite humans, whether provoked or not. However, it's important to remember that just because a breed tends to bite humans, that doesn't mean that they all do. British law determines five breeds of dog are illegal to own, breed, sell or give away. These are an XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. Ms Haines' legal team originally valued the claim at around £60,000, but this has since ballooned to more than £200,000 as the extent of her physical and psychological injuries became clearer. A judge at a brief pre-trial hearing earlier this month confirmed the full trial will go ahead unless a settlement is reached before then. It's understood the case is being closely watched by other animal welfare professionals, who say it raises serious concerns about staff safety when working with rescue dogs that may have violent histories. Dogs Trust, which was founded in 1891, is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and rehomes thousands of dogs each year. It has not commented publicly on the legal claim. The court will now decide whether Ms Haines is entitled to the full amount she's seeking — or whether the payout will be reduced. 4
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Canine home boss sues Dogs Trust for £200k after 'misbehaving' American Bulldog called 'Jester' mauls her and 'leaves her with PTSD'
A canine home chief is suing an animal charity for more than £200,000 after she was 'mauled' by an American Bulldog in an attack she says left her with PTSD. Karla Haines, 34, was working at the Dogs Trust's rehoming centre in Harefield, west London, when what has been described as a 'fierce and mischievous' bulldog cross named Jester sank its teeth into her arm. Ms Haines suffered multiple lacerations and puncture wounds, leaving permanent scarring and causing psychological injuries with 'PTSD-like symptoms,' her lawyers say. She is now suing the Dogs Trust, where she was assistant operations manager, for more than £200,000 in compensation - blaming the organisation for not properly controlling the territorial dog who she says was 'likely' to bite. Through its insurers, the Trust - Britain's largest canine welfare charity - has admitted breach of duty, but is challenging the amount in damages Ms Haines should get. According to documents filed at the High Court in London, the incident involved an attack by an American Bulldog cross named Jester which was being kept at the Trust's centre at Highway Farm House, in Harefield, Uxbridge. The centre is set in 16 acres of farmland and looks after around 150 dogs in facilities which include underfloor heating, glass fronted kennels, exercise paddocks, a puppy suite and sensory garden. 'On 3 July 2021, the claimant was in the re-homing concrete compound, having been brought in to help with the dog that was misbehaving,' her lawyers say in court documents. 'The claimant asked for the dog to be put on a lead, but the dog grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her. 'The dog is and was of a fierce and mischievous disposition and/or was likely, unless restrained, to bite anyone on the defendant's premises or to cause severe injury when defending what it regarded as its own territory, which characteristics were, or ought to have been known at all times to the defendant.' As well as the scarring and mental trauma of her ordeal, Ms Haines - who has a degree in animal behaviour and welfare - says she has been left suffering with 'hypersensitivity of the cubital tunnel of her right arm' after the attack. Her lawyers allege that her employers failed 'adequately or at all to retain the dog in a place of safety' and should have restrained Jester by leashing to a fixed point. Although its insurers have admitted breach of duty without admitting any specific fault, the trust insists Miss Haines was on Jester's 'safe list' - meaning she was one of the few who could safely handle him. The charity's solicitor Chrissie Paphitis said: 'It is averred that Jester had been placed on a lead prior to the claimant entering the compound. 'It is admitted that Jester nevertheless grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her.' 'The injuries as pleaded and detailed in the numerous reports are noted but not admitted, for want of knowledge. 'No admissions are made in respect of causation, and the claimant is put to strict proof in relation to any and all allegations of loss and damage.' The claim was initially pleaded on documents at being worth no more than £60,000. However, at a brief pre-trial hearing earlier this month, lawyers for Ms Haines told High Court judge Master Richard Armstrong she was now seeking compensation of 'over £200,000'. A trial of Ms Haines' damages claim will take place at a later date, unless the parties agree to settle outside of court.
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Telegraph
Dogs Trust worker bitten by American bulldog sues for £200k
A Dogs Trust manager who was attacked by an American bulldog at work is suing the charity for more than £200,000. Karla Haines, 34, was working at the rehoming centre in Harefield, west London, when a 'fierce and mischievous' bulldog cross named Jester sank its teeth into her arm. She suffered multiple lacerations and puncture wounds, leaving permanent scarring and causing psychological injuries with 'PTSD-like symptoms', her lawyers say. Ms Haines is now suing the Dogs Trust, where she was assistant operations manager, for more than £200,000 in compensation, blaming it for not properly controlling the dog. Through its insurers, the Trust, which is the UK's biggest canine welfare charity, has admitted breach of duty, but is set to fight the amount in compensation she should get. According to documents filed at the High Court, the incident involved an attack by an American bulldog cross that was being kept at the Trust's centre at Highway Farm House, in Harefield, Uxbridge. The centre is set in 16 acres of farmland and looks after around 150 dogs in facilities that include underfloor heating, glass-fronted kennels, exercise paddocks, a puppy suite and a sensory garden. In court documents, her lawyers claim: 'On 3 July 2021, the claimant was in the rehoming concrete compound, having been brought in to help with the dog that was misbehaving. 'The claimant asked for the dog to be put on a lead, but the dog grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her. 'The dog is and was of a fierce and mischievous disposition and/or was likely, unless restrained, to bite anyone on the defendant's premises or to cause severe injury when defending what it regarded as its own territory, which characteristics were, or ought to have been known at all times to the defendant.' Ms Haines, who has a degree in animal behaviour and welfare, claims to have been left suffering with 'hypersensitivity of the cubital tunnel of her right arm' after the attack. Her lawyers allege that her employers failed 'adequately or at all to retain the dog in a place of safety' and should have restrained Jester by leashing to a fixed point. Although its insurers have admitted breach of duty without admitting any specific fault, the Trust insists Ms Haines was on Jester's 'safe list' - meaning she was one of the few people who could safely handle him. 'It is averred that Jester had been placed on a lead... prior to the claimant entering the compound,' the charity's solicitor, Chrissie Paphitis, said in its defence to the action. 'It is admitted that Jester nevertheless grabbed onto the claimant's arm and bit her. The injuries as pleaded and detailed in the numerous noted but not admitted, for want of knowledge. 'No admissions are made in respect of causation, and the claimant is put to strict proof in relation to any and all allegations of loss and damage.' The claim was initially pleaded on the documents as being worth no more than £60,000. However, at a brief pre-trial hearing earlier this month, lawyers for Ms Haines told High Court judge Master Richard Armstrong she is now seeking compensation of 'over £200,000'. A trial to determine the extent of Ms Haines' damages will take place at a later date, unless the parties settle the matter out of court.
