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Being told to pay vet bill

169 replies

majesticallycurvy · 10/06/2024 20:36

Long story short, we accidentally hit a cat through no fault of ours and the cat unfortunately passed away. We offered our condolences to the owners and are sorry for their loss, but they are hounding us to pay their vet bill.

It's a no from us but we're being slandered over it...

Wwyd?

OP posts:
DonnaBanana · 11/06/2024 07:51

RagzRebooted · 10/06/2024 20:51

This. They're being unreasonable. My cats are beloved, their insurance costs me hundreds a year, but I have the peace of mind of not having vets bills.

Peace of mind of not having large surprise bills. But you’re still ultimately statistically likely to pay way more in insurance over their life than any vet bills that would arise. That’s how the insurance industry makes money.

GCAcademic · 11/06/2024 07:48

If anything the cat owner should be taking responsibility for putting you in a position where you killed an animal. I would be utterly distraught and traumatised if I'd hit a cat. They owe you an apology for choosing to have a roaming domestic animal and putting you in that situation.

Scarletttulips · 11/06/2024 07:47

Despite it being a complete accident, I think I would personally feel the need to pay the bill

You are the reason CF exist.

SocoBateVira · 11/06/2024 07:46

The only way to deal with this sort of entitled twat is to tell them to fuck off at every opportunity.

NewLifter · 11/06/2024 07:45

Singersong · 11/06/2024 07:41

I wouldn't pay a penny.

Although I don't really understand why there's a vet bill in the first place if the cat died?

Vets still charge, even if they can't save the animal!

Lilly11a · 11/06/2024 07:44

My parents dog ran into a road and got hit by and car and the car claimed owner claimed off my parent for the damage ( he is a big soppy dog easily distracted by food and my mum unfortunately had him off the lead ).

Willmafrockfit · 11/06/2024 07:43

If i had seen a post like that on facebook op@majesticallycurvy I would have reported it myself

wicked behaviour

Singersong · 11/06/2024 07:41

I wouldn't pay a penny.

Although I don't really understand why there's a vet bill in the first place if the cat died?

littletesco · 11/06/2024 07:39

TheCheeseThief · 10/06/2024 20:47

I would pay half, you must of been going at quite a speed not to be able to see the cat/slow down?

A cat can run under your wheels from between parked cars without you even seeing it

Willmafrockfit · 11/06/2024 07:32

majesticallycurvy · 10/06/2024 21:52

Doorbell camera footage. My words exactly 'unreasonable'!

deregister from face book op, that is awful and unreasonable of them

oh just seen you got it taken down,, Very good

TammyJones · 11/06/2024 06:45

Good update.

majesticallycurvy · 11/06/2024 06:06

Starlightstarbright3 · 10/06/2024 23:46

I would definitely ask for it to be taken down .

I got it taken down

OP posts:
majesticallycurvy · 11/06/2024 06:01

Terrribletwos · 10/06/2024 22:18

I don't understand. Did the incident happen right outside your house?

camera footage of me in my car inc reg plate and put it on FB alongside a horrible post. The camera footage was from a house on the road. I think it might have been cctv actually not a doorbell due to the angles.

OP posts:
Floorbard · 11/06/2024 05:37

I think it’s cruel to let cats outside in areas with roads because so many get run over (not to mention them decimating local wildlife and peeing/pooing in peoples’ gardens). I’d definetly report the Facebook post, it might get taken down.

LovePoppy · 11/06/2024 04:56

TheCheeseThief · 10/06/2024 20:47

I would pay half, you must of been going at quite a speed not to be able to see the cat/slow down?

It’s almost like people who say this have no idea how fast animals move.

dont want your cat killed? Dont let it out

AbraAbraCadabra · 11/06/2024 04:14

TheCheeseThief · 10/06/2024 20:47

I would pay half, you must of been going at quite a speed not to be able to see the cat/slow down?

Don't be ridiculous. You sound like the idiots on my local Facebook group who are making similar comments and calling for the introduction of a 20mph speed limit across the entire village, because a cat was found having been hit by a car. The ridiculous continued even when someone pointed out that it was impossible to speed on the part of the road the cat was found. Cats can dart out, very quickly, often from under or between cars. A dead cat (however sad that is) does not indicate at all that someone was speeding.

I have a cat. She goes outdoors as I believe it's cruel to keep them in. Cats are not fully domesticated and as such to have the best quality of life they need to roam. That means accepting that they may have a shorter life because of harm that may come to them when out and about, including the possibility they are hit by a car. And I wouldn't be expecting the car driver to pay any vets bills!

WiddlinDiddlin · 11/06/2024 03:41

Nope, not your responsibility, cats out 'in the wild' are at risk and owners can choose to insure and they can choose to not let them roam. These owners presumably chose neither. Thats very much on them.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 11/06/2024 03:01

OP, anyone reading that FB post will conclude that they are in the wrong. Do not pay anything.

KomodoOhno · 11/06/2024 02:14

Badassnameforadojo · 10/06/2024 20:38

Allowing cats to roam means the owner takes on responsibility. I’m a cat owner. I’ve had a cat hit by a car. Don’t pay it. It isn’t your bill.

This. Do not pay it they are cf's to suggest it

LumpyandBumps · 11/06/2024 00:45

I can just imagine the sort of social media posts.
I see them locally from time to time. Cat owners wanting to ‘name and shame’ drivers.
I do of course understand their hurt and sadness at the loss of their pet, but their outrage is less understandable.
I narrowly missed a cat which just shot out in front of my car. I wasn’t going fast, but I could not have stopped. I think it went between my wheels.
I would have been so upset if I had hit it.
I don’t think you are unreasonable not to pay the vet bill.
I hope this all blows over soon.

beckybarefoot · 11/06/2024 00:31

at first, my thoughts were although i'm not obliged by law, i'd offer something because i would feel bad about harming their pet BUT THEN i see they posted your photo on facebook and instantly im like NOPE!

HowWasTheEnd · 11/06/2024 00:30

I wouldn't pay and if they are posting about it then they are the ones who are going to end up looking awful.

CannotWaitToBeFree · 11/06/2024 00:29

Stay firm in saying no if they are acting like bullying pricks. It will all blow over in a day or so. I wouldn’t pay either. How much is the bill?

HowWasTheEnd · 11/06/2024 00:29

TheCheeseThief · 10/06/2024 20:47

I would pay half, you must of been going at quite a speed not to be able to see the cat/slow down?

What speed do you suggest everyone drive then? Do you think 10 miles an hour would work?😅

IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday · 11/06/2024 00:28

For all the people saying it might be nice to pay half/pay the excess - not in this case, it would be rewarding bullying. OP, I'm sorry this has all happened to you, the accident must have been traumatic enough without horrible behaviour from the cats owners. Please don't pay a penny to them.