Should I ask for the money it cost to get him stitches....?

Question

About a week ago I took my 10 month old American Bulldog puppy to the dog park. He was then bitten by a 2-3 yr old boxer. Myself and the boxer's owner saw it happen. The boxer is toy aggressive, and before the incident took place the owner (who HAPPENS to live in the same apartment complex as myself) said to me "I should take that toy away from her because she tends to get kind of snippy." At about that time, my puppy walked over to the boxer and tried to play Tug with her with the toy. The Boxer reached around and bit my puppy (who weighs 75 pounds mind you). The owner saw it, I saw it, everyone saw it.

Anyways, my puppy ended up needing 6 stitches, which wasn't cheap!

Since the lady lives in the same complex as I do, I'm sort of afraid to ask for the money it cost me to have him stitched. But I think its only right that she should help pay for it.

Answer 1

I would talk to her and tell her that you went to the vet, got the stitches as they were necessary and tell her how much the darned vet charged you, for something that wasn't even your fault. See if she is a decent person, and offers to reimburse you or pay 1/2. If she doesn't, then you know what kind of person she is, stay away from her and don't go to the park when she and her nasty dog are there.

Answer 2

Yes, approach her, show her the bill and ask her to pay.

Answer 3

Depends on her personality.

Since she didn't offer to pay a cent in the first place, she may not feel obliged to pay anything now.

It's very reasonable to ask for help in payments. You could ask if she would pay half. And if she is a decent person, she will glady help out.

I agree with DP's advice. If she refuses, then stay away from her and her dog.

Answer 4

She should have offered to pay for the stitches, and she should not be allowed to take her dog to the bark park if there are other dogs there, as this dog is "Toy Aggressive" towards other dogs,  I wonder what her dog would have done if this had been a child taking her toy????  For the safety of your pup as well as others, I would bring this to her attention, as well as ask her for the money, if she's not your landlord - it should not matter where she lives,  and if the "bark park" is within your apartment complex, you should also report it to the management of the apartment complex, (the toy aggression) and let them deal with her and her aggressive dog, as they might could be held liable for an injury should this ladies dog bite a human.....

Answer 5

Her dog bit yours...it's her responsibility to pay for the stitches.

I would take her the vet bill and present it to her without even asking if she'll pay it because it should be automatic that she knows she must pay for it. Just knock on her door and when she answers hand her the bill and say "here's the bill for the stitches my dog required from when your dog bit my dog". If she argues take her to court for it.

Answer 6

I think approaching her would be the correct thing to do, although I wouldn't do it myself. If it was truly her dog's fault than she is completely to blame and she should have to pay for the damages.

Answer 7

You can expect things like this to happen when you go to a dog park.

Alot of the dogs that go are in need of serious OB training.

I would approach her and let her see your dog and the bill.

If she refuses to pay, then take her to small claims court.

That is about all you can do!

Answer 8

It's awkward, but yes I'd approach her with the vet bill.  It might remind her to control her dog better at the park also, so it's a win-win.

Answer 9

I agree that the owner should pay for the stitches, since it was her dog that injured yours. If she does not comply, get the local authority involved and you might have to take her to court. She should know better than to let her toy aggressive dog have a toy in a dog park. Also I hope that you will think twice about bringing your dog to a dog park. Those places can get really rough and may cause some severe damage psychologically to your dog now that it has been bitten. Best to stick with letting him play with friend's and family's dogs that you know have had their shots and you can watch them in a controlled area.

I hope your puppy is ok now!! Good luck!

Answer 10

Yes, I would ask for the money for the vet.  I'm surprised and disappointed that she didn't offer.

Answer 11

When you take your dog to a dog park you accept some risk.  Since the other dog's owner knew her dog gets snippy about toys she should accept some responsibility.  Ask her to split the bill with you.

Answer 12

She should pay for the entire thing!  Don't feel bad asking for it, hand her the bill, expecting her to pay it!  You have witnesses and tell her if she doesn't pay, you'll look into suing her!  She should have told you to take your dog to the Vet and send her the bill!