A PENSIONER who lost three limbs after he was mauled by two Rottweilers says he’s been forced to live in his front room after he was denied any compensation or financial help.
Victor Franklin accused his local authority of refusing to help adapt his home now he is disabled, leaving him unable to use his toilet, shower and stairs.
SWNSVictor Franklin lost three limbs in the brutal dog attack[/caption]
SWNSHe said he feels trapped in his living room[/caption]
Lee FranklinVictor before the attack with his granddaughter Emma and son Lee[/caption]
The 79-year-old’s family have been forced to set up a fundraiser to pay for vital assistance such as a stair lift, wet room and mobility scooter so he can live a more normal life.
Victor claims he has been fighting for over a year to get government support to adapt his home to his new disability, after he was savaged by runaway dogs.
He accused his local council in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, of denying him much needed help after losing most of his leg, his arm, and a part of his other hand in the attack.
Victor’s son and primary carer Lee, 40, says his father’s life-changing injuries make it impossible for him to even reach the upstairs shower without being carried up the steps.
He told The Sun: “He is not asking for much. It’s shocking that there has been no help.
“We’ve had no help at all from the council. The fact is he’s got zero. He’s got nothing after all this.
“We’re just amazed that there is no help for him out there – or maybe there is and we haven’t been told how to get it.
“We’re not asking for millions of pounds. We just want to get the house adapted.
“He’s only had two showers since January. I had to physically carry him up the stairs.
“It’s almost impossible and it’s not safe.”
Lee explained that one of the reasons his father was denied any financial help was due to him already receiving a pension.
He added: “His occupational therapist helped us fill out all the forms to make the request. But he was denied.
“The West Sussex County Council said Victor and his wife were receiving too high of a pension to get any help. They get about £500 per week.”
Lee said he wrote to Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths multiple times, but accused authorities of “not understanding” the problem.
The pensioner was walking his Spaniel named Peggy when the two out-of-control Rottweilers came around the corner in the quiet street of Bognor Regis.
Although the Rottweiler’s owners were sentenced in January to a year and 24 months respectively, Victor has not received financial compensation.
Matthew Roberts, 30, and mum-of-five Chloe Taylor, 27, pleaded guilty to the charges of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury.
On top of their sentence they were both banned from owning a dog for the next 10 years.
An officer described Victor as “a man who has shown tremendous courage in spite of the horrific attack he endured.”
He added: “The level of spirit and determination he has shown throughout is nothing short of inspirational, and we continue to wish him well.”
Victor told The Sun in a written statement: “It’s really difficult for me to understand the exact affect my attack has had on the family but realise the pressure everyone is under day-to-day.
“Prior to the attack, I enjoyed looking after my wife, taking my dog for a walk, going shopping, visiting family and friends, but can no longer do that.
“I am 100% reliant on others and that’s difficult to comprehend.
“I was devastated to hear that I wasn’t entitled to any compensation from the attack, or help from the local council.
“This was broken to me shortly after I left hospital but was assured by my sons and their partners that they will fight tooth and nail to get help.
“I live in a micro-environment in my living room with no access to a bathroom to shower, or toilet.
“Apart from going to hospital for rehabilitation, I spend 24 hours a day seven days a week staring at the same four walls.
“The home now needs major renovations and there simply isn’t any help available.
“We are solely relying on the generosity of our local community & local businesses for help and support – I cannot put into words how thankful I am.”
A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “We do not publicly discuss the details of individual cases.
“The county council can assess people to identify suitable adaptations for their home to help support them to live independently.
“As a result of this assessment, it could be we require the district or borough council to conduct a means test to determine if the person is eligible for the Disabled Facilities Grant.
“If the person is not eligible, we will work with them and our partners in other authorities and agencies to identify other support and other potential means of funding.”
To donate to Victor’s fundraiser click here.
Hyde News & PicturesVictor had a leg and an arm amputated[/caption]
SWNSThe pensioner was walking his pet Spaniel when he was attacked[/caption]
SWNSChloe Taylor’s custody photo[/caption]
SWNSMatthew Roberts and Taylor arrive at court in Portsmouth[/caption]
SWNSRoberts leaves court in January[/caption]
GoFundMeVictor’s family are now raising money to help him adapt his home[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
