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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 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarysBeard · 02/08/2012 14:44

how is paying for the cost of sorting out the injuries your dog caused "being played"?

What if the other dog gets attacked again by another dog, but the owner is not so responsible and buggers off. They come back to OP claiming "ongoing injuries" from the first attack. Or the dog is ill and this wasn't caused by the attack but the owner says it was. You have to draw a line under it somewhere.

Kayano · 02/08/2012 14:45

Why not? If you have a dog that bounds up to other dogs or people you should have it on a lead.

People have phobias and to not have a lead on a dog around others if it can't e trusted is bloody irresponsible.

I wouldn't accept a letter of op regarding full and final settlement

LemarchandsCoxlessPair · 02/08/2012 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ariel24 · 02/08/2012 14:47

Get fed up of the escalation to dog-human aggression too. I just think if all dogs had to be on the lead at all times in public, it solves a lot of these problems. This thread wouldn't exist for a start.

LemarchandsCoxlessPair · 02/08/2012 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Noqontrol · 02/08/2012 14:49

If she claimed on her insurance wouldn't her premiums go up though? In which case you should pay as it obviously wasn't her fault from what you say. Annoying to be landed with a big bill like that though. I don't know if legally you have any rights, but morally you don't. Although what happens if the bill goes up and up from future claims resulting from this injury. Can you pay without prejudice or something? Im rambling now.

MarysBeard · 02/08/2012 14:49

I wouldn't accept a letter of op regarding full and final settlement

Then you wouldn't get paid. See you in court. Bye.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 02/08/2012 14:53

dog aggressive dogs are not automatically toddler aggressive.

Sorry, no of course they're not.....I just find unpredictable dogs quite scary to be honest Blush - wasnt trying to turn this into a dog bashing!

alldancetall · 02/08/2012 14:54

I can't tell you how upset I'd be if a loose dog came up to my dog on a lead (she's always on a lead, for medical reasons) attacked her and injured her. My dog is wary enough of barky/aggressive dogs as it is.

This whole scenario would also be my worse nightmare actually, because I walk my dog with two children in tow and I would absolutely hate to be in this kind of situation where I was trying to defend my dog as well as my children.

I would be paying the bill and feeling really, really guilty about the whole thing, if it were me.

I also don't think it's up to your DH to make the decision for her that she should have to use her insurance. I've dinged my car numerous times and DH has always mended the damage to avoid us claiming on our insurance.

It's not your DH's call to make for her.

LemarchandsCoxlessPair · 02/08/2012 14:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fishybits · 02/08/2012 15:02

But Marysbeard there maybe ongoing problems with the injury that need paying for. If I was the one with injured dog I wouldn't sign a full and final payment letter and I doubt you would either, it would be a foolish thing to do.

Kayano · 02/08/2012 15:04

And then it would go through her insurance costing £250 at least

See you in court bye indeed

Lizcat · 02/08/2012 15:08

Quite a lot of (cheaper) insurance policies now exclude dog bite wounds on the basis that those bills should be paid by the owner of the dog who inflicted the bite.
As a vet we would not accept payment from a third party as our contract is with the owner of the dog. This has been laid down by our professional indemnity insurance.

avivabeaver · 02/08/2012 15:09

her claiming on insurance is a red herring. Even if she did, they would look to recover the cost from the responsible party which is you. You accepted this, your dh wasn't there and therefore i don't think that he should comment.

you are right to pay for the damage that your dog caused.

HipHopSkipJumpomous · 02/08/2012 15:09

see you in court - bye
Indeed - surely then the injured dog's insurance would kick in to cover legal fees to get this sorted - costing the OP even more. It's certainly not unreasonable to expect the OP to cover all relevant vet bills.

Frankly marysbeard your attitude is very suspect.

MissPants · 02/08/2012 16:08

Clearly your tactic of putting your dog on a lead when you see another dog doesn't work... Dogs are fast creatures and it only takes a second to lose control or become distracted as you found out to your cost.

You most certainly should pay this bill, you're very lucky the other owner hasn't taken this further. I certainly would especially given that you still do not see the problem with letting your dog aggressive dog off the lead. Are you going to continue doing so?

I have 2 dogs, one is perfect with other dogs and from time to time we let him off in a remote area but my other dog is very yappy and growls with teeth baring etc when she see's other dogs. She's lovely at home but she has 'little dog syndrome' outside of the house. We never ever let her off, I wouldn't risk not only other people's dogs but my own could be hurt if she picks a fight she can't win! YABU. I would pay the bill.

Chattymummyhere · 02/08/2012 16:20

You should pay and pay in full, end of really.

My dog (on lead) was attacked by another on lead dog (my friends dog, dogs knew each other), while my dog was being attacked she just laid down and let it happen as she is taught not to do anything dangerous (well anything we class as dangerous) near our children, my friend offered to pay (damn right too) the vets bill for two stitches came to almost £300.. She asked about claiming on my insurance and she would pay the excess apart from the fact for me to claim on my insurance means I would of had to of reported her dog as a dangerous dog, so she paid in full...

whathasthecatdonenow · 02/08/2012 16:27

My dog is a rescue and is terrified of other dogs, so barks threateningly when they come near. He has never snapped or bitten one, but he is always kept on the lead - dogs come out of nowhere, and I love my dog, I won't risk his life by letting him off lead. Other dogs do come running up and bark/snap at him, and it really annoys me that their owners obviously don't care enough for their dogs to protect them.

YABU not to keep the dog on a lead and under control, and even more U for being unwilling to face the consequences of your actions.

arthurfowlersallotment · 02/08/2012 16:50

How would you feel if your dog was attacked? Without the financial question it is very traumatic for dog and owner. I agree you're lucky she's not taking it further.

You should pay up and get a muzzle.

wheremommagone · 02/08/2012 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CakeMeIAmYours · 02/08/2012 17:16

This whole insurance business is just a red herring here. I'm quite disturbed by the number of posts asserting that 'this is what insurance is for'.

Pet insurance should be for sickness/operations/accidental injury, not injuries caused by poorly trained and unsupervised dogs.

The OP needs to address this dog-aggression, and if that isn't successful, the dog should be kept on a lead at all times.

To go back to my analogy, you wouldn't think it reasonable to intentionally drive like an idiot and then expect your insurance company to pick up the tab for the collateral damage you cause, would you? Nor would anyone constantly leave their house unlocked and then merely make claims for the items that inevitably get stolen.

It's situations like this, where people fail to act in a sensible and reasonable manner, that push insurance premiums up for everyone else.

IvanaHumpalot · 02/08/2012 17:16

Why do we flinch from muzzling dogs? Used appropriately they shouldn't hurt the dog and allow them to drink. Is it an aesthetic thing or do we believe our dog is better behaved than all other dogs and would never respond with aggression or fear?

Safer for you, me, other dogs and your dog.

OP - you should pay, but ask to see a receipt of treatment.

RobotHamster · 02/08/2012 17:18

I think the OP has been scared off! She did say in her OP that she was intending to pay the full amount.

Saying that, this is relatively calm for a dog thread Wink

tryingtonotfeckup · 02/08/2012 17:29

Agree with Hopskip and CakeMeIAmYours, the fact that she has paid out for her per insurance over the years to protect herself from potential vets bills is nothing to do with you. It is for her benefit only, not for other people who make mistakes and don't control their dog properly.

You should pay the full amount and add in a bunch of flower / bottle of wine and a large doggy treat to say sorry for the hassle and distress of the owner and the pain caused to the dog.

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