Dr Candy d'Sa BSc(Hons) MSc PhD
The science of behaviour is well respected in the courtroom and over the past eight years I have developed a particular knowledge and reputation as an Expert Witness in animal law. I often work alongside the renowned Dr Roger Mugford in this field, together with local police forces (most frequently Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police). I am registered in the Thomson (Sweet & Maxwell) Expert Witness Directory. I have frequently been called upon to provide an unbiased opinion about the behaviour of dogs and other animals, and as an independent Expert Witness my obligations are entirely towards the court and not to instructing solicitors.
I deal mainly with cases involving dog bites under Section 3 (1) and (4) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Dogs Act 1871, and in the assessment and breed identification of dogs seized on suspicion of Section 1 offences of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (namely identifying pit bull terriers and their crosses).
In addition I have also worked on cases involving the Animals Act 1971, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Hunting Act 2004, the Wild Mammals (Protection Act) 1996 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in a variety of cases including tail docking, fox hunting and wild bird entrapment.
Please contact me for further advice. If you have not already done so, I will first put you in touch with a reputable solicitor experienced in dog law.
When instructed by a solicitor, I would usually then review the statements, including medical reports and any photographs relating to the victim's injuries. I then conduct a full behavioural assessment of the dog(s) in the owner's home (or if the dog has already been seized, in the holding kennels), including taking video footage and photographs where relevant to support the case. I then prepare a report to present to the court, which will include recommendations for the dog's future conduct. I attend court to give live evidence when required.
In 1993 the Queen's Bench Divisional Court determined the legal definition of the word "type". In the landmark case of Dunne and Brock their Lordships Justice Glidewell and Justice Cresswell stated that "a dog of the type known as a Pit Bull Terrier is an animal approximately amounting to, near to, having a substantial number of characteristics of the Pit Bull Terrier". They ruled that the relevant breed standard for assessing whether or not a dog is of the type should be that provided by the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA). I therefore use this as the definitive guide to the appearance and behaviour of Pit Bull Terrier types. A number of key measurements are taken from the dog, which are then used to conduct a conformational analysis to all points identified in the ADBA standard.