What should I do if my dog was bitten?

Question

My beautiful german shepherd cross Reggie got bitten this afternoon (he's in shock, and a bit confused, but should be ok) He is at the animal hospital now having surgery (needs to be knocked out and stitched up) but whose insurance should I claim on, the guy whose Collie ***** bit mine (came with no warning, lunged and took a 3 inch chunk out of Reggie's leg, vicious and a liability if you ask me) or my own? confused and seriously out of pocket already (250 quid for an overnight at the vets!!! thats one expensive hotel)

Anybody been through this !???

Answer 1

complain to police

Answer 2

it depends on the circumstances of the bite.. and where you are living... but common law indicates that your dog is your "property"... If your property was adequately secured (for example in it's own yard, or on a leash) and someone else's dog was "running at large" (or not secured/on a leash) and attacked your dog without provocation, then you have a very strong case...

Your question does not mention it, but I get the feeling that you know the owner of the dog that bit yours.... I think you should do your best to step back from the situation and try to understand who might be liable.. and when you do this, take in to consideration where your dog was, what control you may (or may not) have had on your dog at the time, and what actions his dog decided to do as a result...

If, when looking at all of the above, and knowing that your dog was totally in the clear, and that it was a cold blooded attack on an innocent and well secured animal, then you'll need (at first) to go and talk to the owner of the dog that bit yours (and under those circumstances, he is liable) and say to him that as a result of his animal's behavior, the damage to your animal, totals (and give him the figure)..

If he refuses to pay (and most will) then you should immediately contact either your local humane society, or animal control, and escalate the situation.. remember to show any documentation from your vet, and don't forget that you may need the statements of any independant witnesses, who can help to defend your position..

You have a long fight ahead of you.. and whoever is to blame, I hope it gets resolved soon (but don't count on it.. the money that you just paid to the vet might never be repaid... in fact you'll probably spend more in lawyers fees than it's worth)...

But these things are often better settled as friends, than involving the legal angle.....

I hope that your dog continues to recover... and that you manage to get the whole thing resolved soon

:)

** just saw your edit*** you mention that both dogs were unsecured.. well, unless you can prove that the attack on your animal was unprovoked, then you'll have a hard time in getting the other owner to be legally bound into paying the bill... however, I think if you call him, and explain the situation, he'll possibly be willing to contribute something.. otherwise he wouldn't have given you his phone number... *** Hope you get this straightened out soon.. :)

Answer 3

I know someone who has been through this :(

they just gave him more love and gave him a something so he wouldn't bite his wound.

Answer 4

It would depend on the circumstances, whether the dogs were on leash, did your dog do anything to annoy the collie, whose property were the dogs on etc.

Answer 5

This would depend on your local laws.  Here in the US, a dog must always be leashed if not on their own property.  If yours is leashed and attacked by a dog not on a leash or on your own property, ti is the other owner's responsibility.  However, if both dogs are not leashed and on public land, then it is equal liability.

Of course, this is dependent on the other person of insurance.  Pet insurance is not required here and homeowner's only kicks in if the dog bites a person.  Otherwise, you need to sue...

Answer 6

Tell the collie's owner that you will give him the bill as soon as you receive it.  Then do it.

Answer 7

Was Animal Control called & a report made?  This is what you would rely on in case you wish to gain damages.  

Was your dog on a leash?  

Did you have control of the leash?

Was the other dog on a leash?

Where was the owner of the other dog?

Were there any witnesses?

You would talk to the other dogs owner & make arrangements for them to pay the Vet bills.  You will need the report from Animal Control or the police report if one was made.  Get statements from the witnesses.  You may have to sue if they do not agree to pay the bill.

EDIT:

Ok, so both dogs were off leash in a public park.  The attacker is to blame.  Hopefully you have witnesses.  Tell the owner of the other dog that you expect him to pay your Vet bill(s).  If he refuses sue for damages.

Answer 8

Lucky you if you have insurance for your animal. I don't think you can hold the other owner responsible if you were on "neutral territory". If you were in his yard, definitely not, if that dog came into your yard, you may have a case against the owner.

Edit.. After reading your addition, I would say the owner of the offending dog is responsible, and it sounds as though that dog should be put down, or at least examined.... There may be a real problem there.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

It depends on the situation.  If the dog that bit yours came onto your property or if your dog was leashed and his wasn't, he is absolutely responsible.  If your dog was off-leash and off your property (and especially if it was on their property), you may be responsible.  If both were leashed and off-property, it may be a bit murky, though if my dog bit someone in that situation, personally I'd take responsibility and pay the bill.

Answer 11

Well I would definitely be talking to the owner of the biting dog about paying the vet bills!!!  But I'm also American so if he wouldn't pay I'd sue!  But seriously... were both dogs on leashes?  Because usually the one at fault is the one whose dog wasn't leashed.  Or that's the case here in the States.  My best advice would be to talk to the owner of the biting dog and just tell him he needs to take care of the bill since his vicious dog attacked yours.

Answer 12

You would take it out of his dogs insurance. His dog sounds dangerous. It could do it to a child next. But take it out of there insurance because it was there dog that did the damage.

If it was the other way round they would take it out of your insurance.

Only if your dog causes harm to another pet or human or hurts itself would you take it out of you insurance