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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

My dog was attacked - WWYD re other owner + vet bills?

50 replies

MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 18:43

My poor, lovely dog got attacked today. He was on the lead, minding his own business when another dog ran up and went for him. It happened so fast.

The other owner had no control over his dog. As his dog was biting mine, he couldn't get hold of her; she kept running off and coming back for more. We both ended up on the ground as my dog, trying to get away from his had tangled us all up in the lead.

We managed to swap numbers and he said he'd pay vet's bills.

My dog has a large chunk out of his shoulder and has needed internal and external stitching. He has a large area of deep bruising where, if the worst case scenario happens, he'll need a skin graft. He's still at the vet; we might not be able to pick him up today. He'll need to return to the local vet on Monday and Friday and to the hospital in 10 days time, most of which we'll have to take time off work for and arrange childcare.

The first vet bill comes to £470. It will cost us more in checkups etc, never mind the potential skin graft. I called the other dog's owner with this figure. He is saying we should get the insurance to pay and he'll pay the excess which is about £150.

I want him to pay the full £470. I'm furious; our dog's a rescue, who had a hard life before he came to us and was just starting to be socialised with other dogs. This will set him back no end, as well as being horribly traumatic for him and us. I thank God the DCs weren't with me when it happened.

I'm feeling quite emotional and still teary about it all. Is this clouding my judgement? AIBU to expect him to pay?

OP posts:

Report

Uppermid · 09/03/2013 18:47

I would be contacting the police about his out of control dog as well as claiming the vets bills from him. And why should your premiums shoot up because his dog attacked yours. No, he needs to pay full amount

HDEE · 09/03/2013 18:47

Yes, claim on the insurance.

newpup · 09/03/2013 18:55

I am sorry. My lovely lab was attacked by a huge aggressive dog 2 years ago, the owner just stood and screamed and my dog was on the lead too. I still have nightmares. I am not sure where you stand legally but suspect you would have to take the owner to small claims court to force him to pay anything if he refuses. Have you reported him to the the local dog warden, you have his details. Our local warden visited the owner of the dog who attacked mine to talk to them about training the dog and made a written report in case of future instances. I know in the long term this is not particularly helpful but it made me feel that I had done something towards it not happening again. Hope you both feel better soon.

MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 18:56

We've just been paid - I'm going to pay it up front when we get him (hopefully tonight, probably tomorrow) so we have a little more time to think about our options. I'm worried about our premium, yes. I need to look into that, about whether or not it goes up if you claim for an attack. I don't think we have a leg to stand on, legally though.

I am extremely pissed off. I hope he's home tonight. That other dog's all comfy and fed with her owners at home and he's in a hospital cage through no fault of his own.

What would make you claim on the insurance HDEE ? I genuinely want to know, not being aggro.

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getoffthecoffeetable · 09/03/2013 18:57

The other bloke should claim on his insurance for the vet bill, it should cover if his dog attacks another one.
It's truly awful seeing your dog attacked. Ours was attacked a few years ago. Bloke said he'd pay vet bills but I didn't want anything from him.
I avoid other dogs now when out walking.
Hope that your dog is soon feeling better and will be back home with you x

newpup · 09/03/2013 18:57

Also, forgot to add that the police will not be interested in a dog on dog attack.

TheChaoGoesMu · 09/03/2013 18:58

Have you contacted the police?

i presume your insurance premiums will go up if you claim? If so I would want him to pay the lot.

MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 18:58

Thanks for getting back all of you. I should report it, shouldn't I.

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getoffthecoffeetable · 09/03/2013 18:59

You should still report the dog too - although the police weren't remotely interested when I reported.

HairyPotter · 09/03/2013 18:59

Your poor dog I hope he feels better soon. It must have been terrifying to see that. I really hope the other owner has given you his correct number though. Sorry, I'm a cynic. It wouldn't surprise me if he had 'written it down incorrectly' I hope I'm wrong.

MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 18:59

He said he had 3rd party insurance. That must be the way forward then; make him pay then he can sort it out himself with his company.

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MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 19:00

Yes Hairy he's done the right thing and stayed in touch. I went straight to the vet after it happened and he'd called twice already by the time I was home.

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HairyPotter · 09/03/2013 19:04

That's great Betsy. That's one thing in his favour I suppose. Speedy recovery to you wee soul.

FiveHoursSleep · 09/03/2013 19:04

We've had the same thing happen to us. My lurcher was mauled by a collie and it cost us £100s to get her put back together.
The owner of the collie just shrugged and said 'what can you do?' before walking off so we never had a chance of getting the money back.
The police said it was a civil matter and weren't interested.
I would tell the owner of the other dog that you want him to pay in full, but be prepared to just get the excess out of him.

MagratGarlik · 09/03/2013 19:07

I just posted on the pointy thread, which seems to have disappeared. Is it just my computer?

barefootwalker · 09/03/2013 19:11

That must have been a horrid experience for you. I'm glad the owner has been good and stayed in touch but I do agree that you should report the dog in case of future attacks. I hope your dog is home soon and isn't too affected by the whole experience in the future.

MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 19:25

I can see the pointy thread Magrat .

I've been really, really calm and personable with the other owner up until now and I'm glad he's stayed in touch. He was shaken too. I did get shirty with him during the last call though when he started suggesting we claim.

Thanks all.

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DeepRedBetty · 09/03/2013 19:30

Betsey it may be that your insurers will claim from his. I think you should talk informally to yours.

mercibucket · 09/03/2013 19:33

Poor doggie :(
Does the man mean you should claim on his insurance and then he will pay the excess? That is probably the best option. Ask for his insurance details and phone the company asap

mercibucket · 09/03/2013 19:33

Poor doggie :(
Does the man mean you should claim on his insurance and then he will pay the excess? That is probably the best option. Ask for his insurance details and phone the company asap

needastrongone · 09/03/2013 19:38

I don't have anything useful to add but just wanted to add that I feel so sorry for your poor lovely rescue dog. And for you of course.

Shitty crappy owners.

I really hope he's ok.

MissBetseyTrotwood · 09/03/2013 19:39

I think he means that we should claim on ours and then he will pay our excess. I don't want to claim on ours at all - I need his insurance details, don't I.

The vet hospital said that they can't deal with him directly at all - our two payment options to them are either to claim directly from our insurer or pay up front ourselves.

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RedwingWinter · 09/03/2013 20:19

MIssBetsey, I'm really sorry this happened to your dog. I hope he can come home tonight and gets well soon. I think the man should be claiming on his insurance for it, though I've never been in this situation so don't know how it works. Well done for staying calm and I'm glad he gave you his number. I agree with the others who say you should report it. I hope your dog is okay.

HDEE · 09/03/2013 20:23

I'd claim off my own insurance and get the excess back off him, because quite honestly your bill could end up running close to £1000. It obviously wasn't your fault, but if this had happened to me (if my dog was the attacker) I wouldn't be able to afford to pay you that, even though its my fault. I'd have no choice but to tell you to take me to court, but even they can't get blood out of a stone.

LtEveDallas · 09/03/2013 20:34

I wouldn't be able to afford to pay you that, even though its my fault

I hope you haven't got a dog in that case HDEE. If you cannot afford to fully insure your dog with third party and public liability cover then you shouldn't own a dog.

MissBetsey, I'm so sorry for your poor dog, I hope he's home soon and not too traumatised . The other owner should absolutely claim off his own insurance if he cannot afford to pay your bill out of his own pocket.

The dog needs to be reported, even though the police won't actually be that interested. If not the police then your local dog warden.

If I was you I would call my own insurance, tell them what has happened and get all the info you need to pass on to the other owner. Don't let him bluster or play you for sympathy. He is at fault (I fully blame the owner not the dog) and he should pay.

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