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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this was Neighbours fault? (diagram included)

166 replies

HiyaMummy · 26/12/2017 15:46

I live on the top floor of a block flats. 2 flats per floor. Rented from a Housing Association. Diagram not to scale

The squares in the corner of the flats are our front doors. Next to our front doors we each get a space, probably the size of an understairs cupboard. The HAs contract with us says this space is for the storage of pushchairs (which I do for DD) and non perishable food and drink items. The alcoves don't have doors on so you can see into each others alcoves and easily access them. We're not allowed to add doors or even poles for curtains/screens - I've asked before, but the HA say the block is secure so anything that gets stolen should be easily found.

Over Christmas I stored some of DDs Christmas Presents and some alcohol there. I left some of the chocolate out there along with some bottles of beer.

Neighbour has a dog. On Christmas Day after coming back from family his dog was off lead and while neighbour unlocked the door, the dog got into my alcove, where he promptly knocked over a crate of beer bottles licked that up and ate some of the chocolate.

This morning neighbour knocks on my door and asks me and DH to pay for the vets bill he's now got as his dog has become very ill from eating and drinking the contents of my alcove.

While I sympathise because it's awful when your pets ill I have a cat and I hate it when she's ill I feel it's the neighbours fault for allowing his dog to be off lead in the communal areas where he may have access to stuff he shouldn't be having such as chocolate.

Neighbour is coming back later to discuss it and I want to know if I'm UR to refuse (we can't really afford vets bills, we have pet insurance for the cat for this very scenario)?

AIBU to think this was Neighbours fault? (diagram included)
OP posts:
BewareOfDragons · 26/12/2017 17:20

Not only would I NOT pay the vets bills, as they were not in control of their dog, but I would demand they pay to replace the items their dog stole and ate when they weren't controlling him and allowed him to trespass onto your property.

Have a bill for the chocolates and food he ate when they appear at your door.

InspMorse · 26/12/2017 17:20

Simple answer.
You will not be paying any bill. Neighbour left dog unsupervised and is responsible for a) your loss of goods b) subsequent consequences.
Politely remind neighbour that alcoves are for private storage and her dog should not be allowed to 'explore' that area unsupervised or otherwise.

foodfrax · 26/12/2017 17:21

Definitely not your fault! Cheeky is an understatement.

MrsU88 · 26/12/2017 17:21

Ps...if they came onto your property, broke your property and left broken glass on your property...surely that is vandalism and you are within your rights to report them. (Mention this to them if they get arsey)

ToadOfSadness · 26/12/2017 17:28

The HAs contract with us says this space is for the storage of pushchairs (which I do for DD) and non perishable food and drink items.

You are partly to blame for leaving the chocolate, he should have been keeping a watch on his dog, however if he had come in with arms full of bags it may not have been so easy.

Chocolate is classed as non-perishable so shouldn't have been there to attract the dog in the first place.

He should have been taking more care of his dog but if the dog hadn't smelled the chocolate it probably wouldn't have eaten it or gone into your storage. I can understand him being upset as his dog being poisoned by chocolate that shouldn't have been stored in an open place.

It also attracts rats and mice. Non perishables stuff is tins etc.

Userplusnumbers · 26/12/2017 17:29

The contract is immaterial here OP. He needs to be in control of his dog at all times. I'd be asking for replacement items if I were you.

toolonglurking · 26/12/2017 17:31

As PP have mentioned, chocolate is toxic for dogs, so that will be the reason for the drip.

Do not pay his bill, it's his responsibility as owner, much like its his responsibility to watch his dog.

If I were you I'd be sympathetic about the dog, and wish it a speedy recovery but point out that it is absolutely not your responsibility to pay the vet bills.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/12/2017 17:35

Toad
Chocolate that doesn’t need to be refrigerated is non perishable as per the contract. I think you mean it’s perishable. But it isn’t.

ToadOfSadness · 26/12/2017 17:35

It is your responsibility however, not to leave perishable food items in an open space where only non-perishables are permitted.

As I said above, if the chocolate had been indoors where it should have been the dog would not have found it and become ill and injured. If I had been responsible for hurting someone's pet I would at least offer something towards the bill. But then I wouldn't have left chocolate out there in the first place, especially after reading all the threads on here about what is good to bait mouse traps.

lollipop7 · 26/12/2017 17:39

Sorry but they are doing WHAT????!!,
What the actual buggery fuckery?

Tell them to do one. They let their dog off the lead and whilst still being responsible for it in law it are and damaged YOUR goods and property. I agree with @LavenderDoll and would be suggesting he replaces the things the dog ate.
Perhaps that’s an indirect way of telling him to shove the vet’s bill up his audacious bottom.

Sorry for the shouty big capital letter words but I ca t believe the temerity of folk on some occasions

Jupiter15 · 26/12/2017 17:40

Definitely not your fault. He should be saying sorry to you and hopefully he’ll be keeping his dog on a lead in the building from now on. If he was a responsible dog owner he would have insurance for his dog.

Dragonfree · 26/12/2017 17:47

Toad is wrong. (Most) Chocolate is non-perishable. (You're welcome to double check Google)

The best explanation is from www.thekitchn.com:
"Kitchen Fact: Perishable foods are foods that need to be refrigerated or frozen to slow or halt bacteria growth."

Therefore chocolate, or chocolate-based products, would only be considered perishable if they need to be refrigerated in order not to spoil. A chocolate bar, or a box of chocolates would be considered non-perishable if they can normally be stored somewhere cool and dry such as a cupboard.

Lindy2 · 26/12/2017 17:51

He allowed his dog to be out of control and to damage your property. You would be well within your rights to report him to the police.
If he is too pushy regarding trying to get you to pay his vet bill say that you'll get in touch with the police on 101, tell them what has happened and ask their advice.
I had a problem with a dog in our road escaping and getting into our garden to try and get to our rabbits. According to the owner it was my fault for not dog proofing my garden (even though I don't have a dog). I told them I'd ring 101 for advice. The police were very interested and sent someone around to talk to them about their responsibilities as a dog owner. The fog used to escape about once a week. Since the police visit, a year ago, it hasn't escaped since. I'm not sure what was said but it worked well.

tampinfuminragin · 26/12/2017 17:52

Their problem. Do not pay the vet bill.

Looneytune253 · 26/12/2017 17:55

Wow I thought your question would be more about does your neighbour owe you to replace your stuff, in which case I would have said YES, but their vet bills? A definite NO!!!

ChasedByBees · 26/12/2017 18:05

Why is their dog not supervised in communal areas?

Eltonjohnssyrup · 26/12/2017 18:13

You're not responsible for his vets bills. But if I had kids and lived there I would be furious you were storing hazardous breakable bottles there and particularly alcohol. TBH, I think you're quite fortunate it was a dog that got in there rather than a child.

Lanaa · 26/12/2017 18:21

But a child didn't get in there it was a dog. If a child did get in there and break a bottle then surely it would the the parents fault for not keeping the child under control/supervision.

PositivelyPERF · 26/12/2017 18:22

I'd be fucking raging if your kids removed/ate/drank stuff from my storage area, Elton. If your children are too young to understand that they have no right to take stuff from someone else's property, then it's your responsibility to supervise them. If they are old enough to be left unsupervised then I'd give them a bollocking for touching someone else's stuff. So long as the OP is using the area as intended then it's up to others to keep their dogs/children out of that area.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 26/12/2017 18:24

Elton if anything happened to your child in this sort of situation, the only person to be furious at would be yourself. Your shortcomings as a parent are your responsibility. No one else's.

KatharinaRosalie · 26/12/2017 18:29

what, so he just left the mess the dog made, broken glass and all? We have a CF.

MamaBearto2 · 26/12/2017 18:30

I doubt your housing officer would be pleased to learn the dog is allowed off lead in the building.

This is your neighbours problem.. his pet, his bill. Very stupid of him not to have pet insurance

Billben · 26/12/2017 18:39

But if I had kids and lived there I would be furious you were storing hazardous breakable bottles there and particularly alcohol. TBH, I think you're quite fortunate it was a dog that got in there rather than a child.

Your children are your responsibility Elton, nobody else’s. If your child got into that cupboard you’d have only yourself to blame.

Taylor22 · 26/12/2017 18:40

If he comes around threaten to inform the HA about his uncontrollable dog which has caused serious damage to private property.

londonrach · 26/12/2017 18:42

Neighbour needs to pay for replacement of the goods his dog stole and learn to supervise his dog. Yanbu. 1000000% neighbour fault