Who is responsible for the bills?

Question

My dog was unleashed and bitten by a neighbour's dog. I have a 12 pounds mini pin mix, the other dog is some type of pitbull mix, must weight around 80 pounds. My dog approached the neighbour's dog when he grabbed him by the stomach and broke both front legs. The other dog's owner is an elderly lady with a limping leg, she clearly can not control a dog of his size. So far I have spent around $700 in emergency bills and still waiting for the legs surgery estimate. The neighbours have not even approached to check on my dog and refuse to be responsible for the bills. Their dog has a history of aggressive attacks against other neighbours' dogs.

Answer 1

This isn't my realm at all, but I think the key phrase was "my dog was unleashed."  It doesn't matter the size of the dogs, or who wins the fight...your dog was unleashed and that strikes me as the issue.

Answer 2

neighbour must take responsibility for the act of her dog,if her dog is insuered than insurance company would pay the bill

Answer 3

Well, was the other dog tied up?  If so, and your dog went into his yard, you're clearly on the hook fr this.  

You should probably file a police report.  But just because your dog is little, and was out-dogged, doesn't mean he wasn't at fault.  Little dogs can be MORE aggressive - they just can't inflict as much damage.  If you DO file the police report, be prepared to get a ticket for not having your dog under control.

If the other dog was tied up, or on a leash, or whatever, she is NOT going to be at fault for this.  

And, if you don't want that other dog to KILL your dog, I'd suggest you not let it outside off a leash again.

Answer 4

Was your dog off leash and on the neighbors property?

If you were in a public area - most likely there is a leash law. Had you had your dog on a leash - you knew of the other dogs"history of aggressive attacks" surely you would not have let your dog near the other one.

There really is not enough information for us to give you a good answer.  

Answer 5

If your dog was unleashed and on their property then it is your responsibility.  If both dogs were in your yard then it's their fault.  If both dogs were on pubic property and yours was not leashed it's your fault.

If the dog is continually aggressive then you could call the SPCA and they may have the dog put down, it depends on the state and the local laws

Answer 6

well it wasnt your fault or hers

it was her dog so shes responsible for that

Answer 7

Sue her in small claims court.  You will probably get a judgment but it may not be for everything since your dog was off leash.  Collecting on the judgment may be a problem.

Answer 8

It's absolutely amazing that people will answer these questions without all of the facts? I certainly hope you don't rely on this information.

1) Your dog "approached" from where, to where?

2) Whose property was this on?

3) Were there any witnesses?

4) Your description of the owner of the other dog is given for what reason?

5) Was the owner of the other dog present?

6) How often is your dog unleashed?

7) Has your dog been around this other dog before?

8) You state, "she clearly can not control a dog of his size." This is based on what?

You got some work to do on explaining this before you can get plausible answers.  

Answer 9

You are on your own.  You left your dog unleashed to roam where he should not have roamed.  If you had kept your dog properly leashed, there would have been no attack, would there have been ?