A woman who had her arm bitten off by her rescue dog is suing the RSPCA for £200,000 after they allegedly failed to reveal it had already attacked two women.
Joanna Harris’s American bulldog, Kiwi, had to be tasered three times and battered by police truncheons before he eventually let go of her arm.
The savage 20-minute attack was so severe doctors had no choice but to amputate her arm.
Kiwi was put down after the incident in September 2021, but it later emerged the dog had a history of violence, it is alleged.
It’s believed Kiwi attacked two women eight months before, and had allegedly been aggressive to staff and inflicted minor injuries.
On August 26 that year, just a week before the attack, Joanna, from East Sussex, said Kiwi had tried to bite her.
She said: ‘What happened that day and how I was attacked in my own home is something that will stay with me forever.
‘The pain was excruciating. I knew I was in a bad way but nothing prepared me for the news my arm would have to be amputated.
‘I lost a lot of confidence and independence.’The RSPCA has denied it’s liable for the attack, and Joanna’s claim will be heard at the High Court in London.
An RSPCA spokesperson 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.’
