man attacked in dulwich park today II.30am by two men with scary dog

[TeriG]

All,

Just wanted to warn everyone about two large, vicious looking men, who this morning (sunday I4th) in broad daylight, near the playground area of dulwich park, attacked my boyfriend, who was just out for a run on a sunny day.

Essentially, we had been running together but I was ahead and unaware of what had happened (but passed the 2 large men with their bulldog-type dog a few mins earlier). I stopped and waited at Roseberry gate - as it seemed strange he was so far behind, but I couldnt see him.

Literally, a few mins later, he came into view, firstly walking and then jogging, with cuts and scrapes, a scratched leg, bloodied lip and recouted what had happened....

The big bulldog/pitbull type dog was off the lead (I remember seeing it myself, and avoided it) and it had run into him and around his legs. The two large, scary looking men then went up to my boyfriend and punched and kicked him - in broad daylight with people stood around.... My boyfriend is the most harmless guy and was no where near a stature to "stand up" to them - neither of us had a phone or money to call the police and besides, my boyfriend didnt think we should as we had "no evidence" - ie photos etc etc.

I just wanted to post this to "warn" others - as, to my mind this is grievous bodily harm and the two men sounded both physically and verbally dangerous with a large scary dog, off its leash.

Im gutted too that my boyfriend doesnt want to retrospectively call the police or get these "thugs" brought to justice - he had done nothing, but just jogged in the park on a sunny day. I hope and Pray that this doesnt happen to anyone else.

[womanofdulwich]

PLease call the police. There may be witnesses happy to testify.

It may be a child next.

[TeriG]

That's what I was really worried about - especially as it happened so close to the playground area.

My boyfriend is a "pacifist" and doesnt like to "confront" such people, but rather avoid the situation.

Ive warned my running club (Dulwich runners) who use the park alot as well as emailed "friends of dulwich".

[tiddles]

people stood around???? did no-one intervene?? not even other dog walkers??? crikey.

What a dreadful thing to have happened, I am so sorry. And yes I think you should call the police

[TeriG]

Yep, cant believe it myself, as Id run past that area - and it was packed with people - adults, young kids, etc etc near the playground area. One guy apparently asked my boyfriend if he was okay.

Im trying to convince him to still call the police - but he doesnt like "confrontation" in any way and thinks it would be a waste of time... I think they should be brought to justice, but wanted to warn other park users - Im in the process of emailing local friends etc as Id hate to think it happened and that it could happen to anyone else.

Thanks for your concern - tiddles and womanofdulwich - Im still in shock myself, retrospectively; and I think my boyfriend is just trying to "block the whole incident out" - other than putting ice on his leg where it was kicked and scrapped and where he got physically punched by the two.

Gutted too - in broad daylight, in dulwich park.

We both regularly run around there - I'll always carry a phone, and if I come across them, will take photos to send to the police.

[Alex K]

Report it now, tell police "If I see I'll photograph". Who'll take you seriously if a month from now you toddle in with photographs and a stale, stale story? Whereas if you report it, give the best description you can, and then supply more information later...

[JohnL]

Witnesses to a crime can report it too.

Wouldn't be surprised if it has been reported already.

[TeriG]

Thanks - Alex K / John L and all the others who've responded so far.

Ive contacted the Dulwich Friends and they put me in touch with the Dulwich Parks authority as well as giving me the local police number.

We have contacted the police as well and the incident is being recorded both by the park and by the local police - as, as you rightly say, by formally reporting the incident sooner, we are more likely to prevent another attack happening.

These guys are clearly violent and have a "dangerous dog" off the leash in an area where there were many children and people enjoying the park.

They kicked and punched my boyfriend and I do hope locals who were there will report it.

I have warned local friends and one of the local running clubs too, so that everyone knows to be "on the alert" even in a leafy green park etc.

Ive often run around the park myself and enjoyed it over 9 years - and this is the first "incident" I have known of - I find it very sad and upsetting; as well as a poor reflection on todays society. Hopefully such criminals will be brought to justice and not able to do further harm to anyone.

Thankyou all for your best wishes etc

[Earl Aelfheah]

I am really sorry to hear about this. I hope you're boyfriend doesn't let it play on his mind.

[pipsky2008]

It may be too late but if there it isn't it may be possible for the police to take DNA that can be taken from the physical contact. Do report it to the police as an emergency and give as full a description as possible as soon as possible. Good luck

[Girl82]

Gosh, I may be naive, but I can't believe something like this could happen in broad daylight, with so many people around! Very scary. I hope your boyfriend & you are ok, and glad you reported it to the police. Do you have a description of the men & dog?

[XxNikkixX]

So sorry to hear what has happened to ur bf really what has this world come to I hope he is ok but please google images of a bull dog and a pit bull they are very different dogs in shape size and looks

[vicki08]

Did the dog attack your boyfriend, as you only mention the two guys attack, where is the dog dangerous

[bonniebird]

So did the men attack him or the dog as well? If the dog did nothing, then lets not say dangerous dog. What a terrible thing to happen :( I hope he's ok. You feel so helpless :( you poor things. I agree about reporting it. How horrid :( I hope it gets sorted xx

[XxNikkixX]

It's not a nice experiance but so many dogs are being branded when it really ain't the case

[TeriG]

Hi all,

again, thanks for your help/remarks etc. The two men were approx 5'8", white, mid to late 30s; casually dressed, large, stocky build both had "beer bellies"; brown-ish short hair. Dog: white pit bull terrier off lead, poss with light brown patches.

As a woman, i'd feel intimidated by such characters at any time of day, and as I ran past them walking in the opp direction and through crowds of people, I recall avoiding what to my mind, looked like a "dangerous dog" to be off a lead - esp with young children around... but didn't really pay a great deal of attention to its owners as I sped past (hence I cant be even more descript).

Nearby there was an icecream van and just outside the playground a group of (I think) 20 or so Italian-speaking teenagers.

The dog didnt attack my boyfriend (fortunately) - but it got in between his legs as he ran past and that was why the 2 men, in a "split second" came over to my boyfriend and started kicking and punching him (by this point I was a few mins away, oblivious to what was going on, by Roseberry gate wondering where he'd got to).

That's the best description I could give - since there were many people, and the dog came close to my "path" of running, I made a mental note to "give it a wide berth".

Ive run around the park and the local area for 9 years and NEVER come across such an incident; occasionally the odd spat with a dog owner about "keeping it under control" - but as you state too - shocked that this could happen in a crowded area in broad daylight- truly a sad reflection on society.

I'll always carry a phone with me in future to be able to get help and ideally photo/video evidence.

[XxNikkixX]

Not all dogs are dangerous and u should not brand the dog dangerous just because of its looks I have been in the park many times and dogs have come running over playing and then back to there business please don't take me wrong I'm not condoning what has happened and I hope the men are caught and punished but by what ur saying the dog did nothing people assume things about dogs because of what they read in the paper and see on the news and it ain't fair

[Earl Aelfheah]

The dog ran into someone, which in itself is quiet dangerous and suggests that it wasn't under control.

[XxNikkixX]

Because a dog runs up to u does not in any way mean its dangerous

[pipsky2008]

Do carry a phone, preferably with a camera. Do think about getting any DNA before showering although he's probably bathed by now

[KatsuQueen]

TeriG Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi all,

> again, thanks for your help/remarks etc. The two

> men were approx 5'8", white, mid to late 30s;

> casually dressed, large, stocky build both had

> "beer bellies"; brown-ish short hair. Dog: white

> pit bull terrier off lead, poss with light brown

>

>

TeriG, so sorry to hear that this has happened. We were in the park at that time and saw the dog. My husband and I both noticed it because we were with our two young children near the cafe and the dog was off its lead. We particularly noticed the dog because it was off its lead and trotted past a sign saying "dogs to be on short leads".

I didn't notice the owners but my husband did, and just to confirm - your description above is spot on. The only to add is that they were wearing short sleeved light coloured (possibly England) sports type Loose fitting T shirts and shiny navy track suits bottoms.

We got on the pedalos at 11:30 so the attack must have been just after we saw them. How awful, as the park was absolutely packed as well. Although maybe people were just really shocked? It was such a lovely sunny day and everyone was out.

Please get in touch if you need anything from us.

[tlw]

I'm really sorry that this happened. You should report it to the police, they may not catch them on this account, but should another incident happen, they can build a stronger case. Also, despite what bad press the police get, they do actually care and will keep a look out for the obvious dog, and or 1 or 2 males and if they do see them, they will stop and ask questions. There are some nasty people about and in ED we are Drawn into a bubble - these guys will get their Karma and based on their actions have probably had some already. Sorry your bubble got burst, but the massive majority of people are not like these twats.

[ynwa]

Awful to read this. If you haven't already then you must report this to the police. These thugs obviously need policing.

[uncleglen]

Sorry to hear this but definitely report it. My daughter and her friend when young teenagers were propositioned in an inappropriate way by a man near the park. We reported it and it turned out that 2 other very similar incidents had occurred during the past week and the police said that if people get away with stuff they may go on to do worse.

[TonyQuinn]

You better have called the police. Ludicrous to hide round a pretence of pacificism. Don't mean to sound mean, but this sort of stuff needs to be dealt with by the proper authorities so it doesn't happen again. Tell your bloke to man up and give the police a call NOW. How would he feel if a young kid is mauled?