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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not pay this bill?

80 replies

Doggymum · 02/08/2012 14:04

I have name-changed for this, because, well, you guys can be scary! Grin Sorry if it's a bit long, trying not to drip feed Wink

So, the story is that a couple of Saturdays ago I went up to the local park with the dc and ddog. DC took their bikes, I took a ball to throw for ddog. We live in a small village and we were the only ones on the whole park.

Ddog, has a number of doggy friends and is generally friendly with other dogs; however on a few occasions he's growled and snapped at unfamiliar dogs we've come across on walks and so I always put him on the lead the second I see another dog approach.

We'd been there for a few minutes, when just as I'd thrown the ball for ddog, ds fell off his bike, grazing his hands and knees and I rushed over to him to mop up the blood! Just as this was going on, a woman and her dog arrived at the park and before I knew what was happening, ddog and the other dog were fighting. I rushed over, dragged ddog off, took him away and tied him up so I could go back and see how the other dog was doing. He seemed OK, but I apologised profusely and told her that although he seemed OK, if he did need to go to a vet, then to let me know. The woman was very understanding and nice about the whole thing - I felt awful, and cross with myself for being distracted at the wrong moment!

A couple of hours later she turned up on my door and told me that she had decided to go to the vet because the dog and been limping, that he'd had a couple of injections etc and would be going back the next week. I told her to let me know how much it cost, and she told me that she was insured and was happy to claim if the bill went above £75, which was the standard excess. I told her that I would of course pay the excess and we parted on good terms.

A few days ago she came round to see me again, with a bill for £145 and saying that actually, she didn't really want to claim on her insurance so would I please either claim on my insurance or pay the whole thing. Our excess for third party claims is £250, so no point in us claiming and I agreed that I would pay the £145.

DH, however, is not happy. He says that it's unreasonable for her not to claim on her insurance as a) that's what insurance is for b) that's what we'd initially agreed and c) there was nothing to stop her from claiming from her insurance in addition to us paying her the money.

So, who's being unreasonable, me or dh? What would other people do in the same situation?

OP posts:
LemarchandsCoxlessPair · 02/08/2012 14:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sparkle12mar08 · 02/08/2012 14:08

I'd go with your dh on this, primarily for reason c). Have you seen genuine paperwork from her vet?

RobotHamster · 02/08/2012 14:08

Hmmm tricky. I think you have to pay though. Bit annoying that she won't claim on her insurance, but I suppose if it will put up her premiums then you should cover the cost.

Was her dog on a lead?

CakeMeIAmYours · 02/08/2012 14:09

Good grief! Your dog attacked her dog and you're quibbling about the bill???

Why on earth should she claim on her insurance and risk her premium going up?

Pay the bill, immediately and consider yourself lucky she didn't report you to the police.

I can't believe you're even asking this Shock

oldraver · 02/08/2012 14:09

If she has no limitations on her insurance she should use that and you pay thr excess

EllenParsons · 02/08/2012 14:10

Well I think she is being a bit U not to claim on her insurance, but you definitely do need to pay some of it as you agreed. Maybe just say you are only willing to pay the £75 as agreed?

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 02/08/2012 14:10

I think that if you pay her anything you should just pay the excess, its not your problem if she doesnt want to claim on her insurance, whats the point in having it then!!

Not really sure if you should be paying anything though....ok so you were distracted but where was she?? Was she keeping an eye on her dog, how do you know your dog is the one at fault.

I would have thought it was part and parcel of having a dog?? My mum and dad had a dog years ago and when I took him for walks he was always off the lead and sure, sometimes he got into scraps with other dogs.

Sounds like she was ok about it but then when she went home someone has talked her into getting money off you...I bet if you had never mentioned you would pay for the vets she a) wouldnt have taken him and b) if she had, she would never dreamt of claiming off you.

CakeMeIAmYours · 02/08/2012 14:11

So if you drove into my car, I should claim on my insurance, lose my no claims discount and have my premium increase?

Irrespective of who pays the excess, surely you can see how unreasonable that is?

Ariel24 · 02/08/2012 14:14

I agree with lemarchands on this, you should pay (after seeing paperwork from her vet). I think its a bit worrying tbh that after your dog has shown aggression towards other dogs, that you don't have him on the lead the whole time. For your dog's sake as well as others.

LaurieFairyCake · 02/08/2012 14:14

I'd pay the £145 if I knew my dog was at fault - were both dogs off lead?? If hers was too, how do you know that they didn't go for each other?

WelshMaenad · 02/08/2012 14:14

If you didn't see how the set-to with the other dog happened, how do you know her dog didn't start the fight? Was it also off the lead?

BupcakesandCunting · 02/08/2012 14:15

I would think that people take insurance out on their dogs in case they develop any medical conditions that require ongoing vet attention, rather than in case another dog attacks it.

I wouldn't bump my premium up for something that was someone else's fault. OP should pay the bill.

Rikalaily · 02/08/2012 14:15

Your DH is being unreasonable.

If she claims on her insurance her premium will go up so she will be out of pocket that way in the future, I've heard of some going up by a 3rd or more after a claim even if the claimant isn't at fault.

It's neither here nor there whether she claims on the insurance too, you don't know that she will, I certainally wouldn't in her position because of the future premiums. You said you would pay the bill and you should.

I would pay the money and be thankful that the bill wasn't higher.

valiumredhead · 02/08/2012 14:17

Yes, I agree, pay the bill and be grateful she didn't report you! Keep your dog on a lead AT ALL TIMES with its history of growling and snapping!

LemarchandsCoxlessPair · 02/08/2012 14:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wigglesrock · 02/08/2012 14:18

Your dog was off the lead, you had to pull it off another dog and your dog has a history of snapping at unfamiliar dogs - I'd pay the bill quickly and quietly if I were you.

badtasteflump · 02/08/2012 14:18

I would pay - but I would actually tell her that I would pay her vets bill directly to her vet, and do so - then you know the bill is genuine and that your money is paying it.

MousyMouse · 02/08/2012 14:19

yabu, just be thankful that no one else got hurt.
keep your dog on the lead at all time if you don't have him under control ffs.

fishybits · 02/08/2012 14:20

Did you see your dog attack hers or were they fighting when you turned around?

oldraver · 02/08/2012 14:20

Cake........in those circumstances then no you shouldnt loose your NCB etc but this is not car insurance and IF there are no limitations/penalties on her claiming then I dont see why she shouldn't

I know the pet insurance my folks have allow a LOT so long as you pay the excess, although she may not have that a generous insuarance plus the mare went back on the original agreement

CakeMeIAmYours · 02/08/2012 14:21

If your dog has shown dog-aggressive tendencies, your dog should be on a lead, and ideally muzzled too in a public place.

What were you thinking of, trying to supervise an off lead, snappish dog with DCs on bikes at tye same time.

You are very squarely in the wrong on this.

RobotHamster · 02/08/2012 14:22

Yes, agree. Whole bill but pay the vet directly.

OP - was the other dog on a lead or were they both fighting?

Viviennemary · 02/08/2012 14:22

If your dog attacked her dog then you should pay the bill. Ask to see it first. If she claims on her own insurance then her premiums will probably increase.

ivykaty44 · 02/08/2012 14:22

you said you would pay, your dh might not agree but unfortuantely you had already made a promise and are now waivering. TBH I think that would be unfair of you to go back on your word as someone is trying to change your mind

MarysBeard · 02/08/2012 14:22

I would offer to pay the bill if she can produce a detailed account of the treatment and the cost.

Fair enough to pay for treatment for the dogs injuries as a result of the fight but you don't want to find yourself paying for a pre-existing condition, having his teeth cleaned or a booster injection he might have needed at the same time as having treatment after the fight.

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