My dog has bitten my neighbours rabbit

[Brookerj]

My 2 year old dog got into my neighbours garden and somehow got into the rabbit run and has bitten the rabbit. My neighbour has taken the rabbit to the vet and has presented me with a bill for £1275 as the rabbit has had 2 pins put into its leg. I have been very apologetic and took chocolates round to the owner of the rabbit but I do not have this sort of money to spare - what can I do - I feel awful.

[barrygetamoveonplease]

I think you pay up. Sorry. Your dog should have been under control.

[NetballHoop]

Is there any chance that you have third party insurance on your dog?

[user1495915742]

Check out insurance.
Work out payment plan with neighbour and/or vet.
Get a second job.

Sorry, it's unfortunate but your dog is at fault here.

[Newjob12345]

How did the dog get in to their garden?

[WatchingFromTheWings]

You need to find a way to pay it. And ensure boundary is secure so dog can't get out of your garden again.

[MyPuppyIsADick]

The amount seems a bit off but chocolates aren't going to suffice - your pet could have killed hers! Do the decent thing and pay up check the cost with the vet first

[IVFNewbie]

Sorry, yes- you need to pay up I think- if you can't do it in a lump sum, see if an offer of installments will be accepted.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

What does your insurance say. Any cover there?

[Finola1step]

How did the dog get in the garden?

[CJCreggsGoldfish]

This isn't your neighbours fault. She shouldn't be left with the bill for it. It's unfortunate but I do think you need to pay up, offer a payment plan if you don't have it available now.

[Asparaguswee]

This is why you get pet insurance, why should she pay?! You didn't control your dog and now it's attacked her pet. You haven't got a leg to stand on legally, if you don't pay she could take it further and you'll end up paying a lot more.
Call the vet she uses and explain, most vets have a payment plan and they may let you pay monthly.

[LandofTute]

Do you think your neighbour should have to pay the £1275?

[alltouchedout]

Can you come to some sort of instalment arrangement? Most people don't have that sort of money to hand over in a lump.

That said, the family cat when I was younger had to have quite expensive veterinary treatment after coming off worse in an altercation with next door's dogs and we never considered asking them to pay any of it. Maybe you could offer half?

[picklemepopcorn]

Your dog insurance should cover it, if you have some.

[PippaFawcett]

Wow, that is a lot of money. Unfortunately I think you need to find a way to pay it too, as it is your fault for not properly securing the dog and I imagine they could take civil action to recover the money if not.

[monkeywithacowface]

Wow that's a big bill! But your dog your responsibility. Do you have pet insurance, you may have third party liability insurance.

[LaurieFairyCake]

You both should have insurance on your pets. Has she already claimed on her insurance to fix the rabbit?

[LaurieFairyCake]

Your home insurance may cover it, check.

[Brookerj]

Neither of us have pet insurance and she has already gone ahead with the procedure - I am devastated

[Branleuse]

What side does she live on. Was it her fence to maintain or yours?

[SpareASquare]

You need to pay.
I'm not sure what else you expected people to say?

[monkeywithacowface]

Expensive mistake on your part then. Legally she could pursue a claim against you and would likely win. You need to agree a reasonable payment plan.

[GuntyMcGee]

Of course she'll have gone through with the procedure.

Unfortunately, you will have to pay up. And get some bloody insurance for your pet! What if it was your dog injured or ill? How would you pay the vets bills?

You're the liable party here, your dog wasn't under control and your dog attacked another animal. You need to speak to the neighbour and arrange to pay in instalments. Giving flowers and chocolates isn't going to go anywhere near the cost of treatment and ongoing care for the rabbit and could be seen as taking the piss, frankly. And telling the neighbour a flat 'no I won't pay' is likely to end with you going to court and ending up paying even more. Suck up the cost, get insurance for your pet and make sure your dog is always under control.

[mustiwearabra]

Unfortunately it's up to you to pay up (dog owner here). Dog went with its natural instincts and should have been under control/in a garden with solid and high boundaries. Hard to comment more unless we know exactly what happened.

[monkeyfacegrace]

First off, how did the dog get into her garden?

I think it's highly unlikely to be anything BUT your responsibility. If this happened to me, I'd be taking this as far as I could to recoup costs. To not have your dog insured for 3rd party is irresponsible at best.

And fwiw, I'm not a small animal lover, I'm a definite dog person. It's rare I'm on the other person's side!