Dog bite

[TheWormThatTurned]

I just typed a post that was way too long...

So, can I ask the dog owners out there:
If your dog bit another dog, in an unprovoked attack, and caused an injury, who is responsible to pay for vet fees?

For background:
Our dog is small (20lb, terrier), barks way too much, but generally ok around other dogs.
The dog that bit him is a Siberian husky, handled by 2 kids aged 10 &12. The dogs weren't playing, we were walking by their house as they were returning from a walk.

Owners of husky are taking the attitude of "she's never done it before". We're not paying a penny of the vet bill. Your dog barks and upsets her.
I'm thinking that there were young children around, and it was totally unprovoked.
It wasn't like she just growled / warned him, she went for him and bit him, he's got 5 stitches on his neck, a whole host of medicines over Christmas and we've got decent sized vet bill.

Vet has advised us to go to the police, which we're doing tomorrow. The owners are our neighbours, so I really don't want any hard feelings, but I also think they are in denial about what their dog did and how much worse it could have been.

Just looking for some sane advice from worldly dog owners about how to proceed,
Thanks in advance for any advice!!

It sounds like the kids weren't able to control the husky which is dangerous for all concerned.

Definitely go to the police. I would also send a copy of vet bill to neighbours. Maybe if they see all the treatments itemised it will encourage them to take this seriously.

I have a dog, if she bit or attacked another dog I think I'd struggle to believe it at first but I'd immediately take responsibility and offer to pay all fees and I'd drive everyone mad by apologising every 30 seconds.

Definitely put it in writing to your neighbours that you will be going to the police along with a copy of the bill - once they know you are serious they might back down

Tbh I probably wouldn’t pursue them for the bill, but I would inform the police about a large dog not under close adult control.

Owner of the attacking dog covers vet bills. Every. Single. Time. I would be reporting them to the police; i have a massive issue with irresponsible adults allowing kids to walk dogs unsupervised. Of any breed.

Depends. If your dog was off lead or strayed onto their property then you are liable. If not and you were just passing in the street and it went for yours then they are.

Were the dogs off lead?

The owners of the attacking dog should pay. But they also shouldn't allow children to walk it

I think a husky is too big and strong to be controlled by children. If the dog that bit wasn't under control, the owner should be liable for the cost of treatment.

My first dog was badly bitten by a border collie that a 9 year old child was holding on the lead, the dog just lunged and took a big chunk out of my dog's ear as we walked past.

The owners not only paid the vet bill, but covered the cost of having my car valeted as well. The interior was covered in blood by the time I got him to the vet!

Barks way to much but generally ok around other dogs. Hmmm?

If your version of events are true the owners should pay.

However I will be sceptical as these little yappy type dogs can be terrible and goady with bigger dogs. Their owners ofter find it hilarious like ooo isnt he funny such a bully to big dogs he things hes bigger blah blah...then get all squiffy when the other dogs dont put up with it.

It is an offence for a dog owner to allow the dog to be dangerously out of control. The other dog wasn't under control even if it was off the leash. If the police wont do anything (as it was a dog on dog bite), you could take the owner to the small claims court.
You might not win but its not expensive.

There's a huge difference a dog barking at another & attacking another. All dogs bark. 'Your dog barked at mine' is no excuse for another dog flat out attacking.

Children should not be in charge of a giant wilful dog like a husky. I think they're a lovely breed but they are strong and too bright for most to handle.

I would definitely be reporting this to the police - an unpredictable dog that bites could go for a child as easily as a small dog.

I usually have some element of sympathy with dogs being ‘provoked’,as the owner of a (very gentle and non aggressive) dog that unfortunately never had any socialisation in his formative years (he’s a rescue, damage was done before we got him and we’ve tried our best to put it right), however my dog reacts with confusion and excitement rather than fear or aggression. Nevertheless I can see why being aggressively barked at might provoke some less stable dogs. Having said that I think this is pretty simple tbh. It is now against the law for a dog to be dangerously out of control, even on private land, which this one definitely was. It bit your dog and caused a lot of damage. That’s before you take in to consideration the fact that a husky has been left in the care of children. In all honestly I also think who pays the vet bill is the least of the problem.

Meant to add YANBU, do go to the police.

Children shouldn't be walking a powerful dog like a husky. The other owners should pay

Can’t believe that the owners thought an 11 & 12 year old were suitable to take a HUSKY on a walk! They’re big dogs - I would have thought the dog would be taking the kids on a walk instead definitely not able to control the husky and stop a fight

What has your pet insurance company said?

Either way the relationship between you and your neighbour is ruined, I would report them and insist that they pay.

I also think it depends on which dog(s) were off lead. And where the attack took place.

On the face of it, the attacking dog's owners should pay (though the money would worry me less than the lack of control, because your barking dog could have been a shrieking toddler).

The only exception I can see is if your dog was off lead, ran towards the other dog or into his space/garden.

I have a golden retriever who was attacked by a tiny dachshund last week. He was actually bitten in the face as he stood there, and then barked back. At which point the dachshund owner ran up, picked up her snarling dog, and accused mine of attacking it. Some small dogs are vicious; only you know if yours is.

This is going slightly off subject, but how well can 2 children manage a husky? A husky isn't a cute fluffy dog. It's a pulling dog. It's bread to pull heavy loads over a long distance. Which means it needs plenty of exercise. How much exercise is it getting with 2 children?

If my Ddog bite another dog I'd pay the vets bill and keep the dog on a muzzle in puplic.

One of my Ddog gets attacked by other dogs regularly, once a month or more if we take him somewhere busy, dogs just lunge for him when we walk past him at my side not even looking at other dogs. By some act of grace I have always been able to stop a full attack and he isn't reactive but now has no interest what so ever in playing with dogs now unless his known them since he was a pup or the dog was a pup. He is a Deerhound so I put it down to his size and colouring I'm buying him a muzzle so he can't defend himself and then been put down for been "out of control" because of his size and killing a dog that attacks him and he has never fought back or bite another dog luckily he just runs away if off lead luckily he has speed and stamina. He was once attacked 4 times in one day by different dogs I find it hard to believe that so many dogs have never shown aggression before especially when mine just walks at my side even when off lead!

Go to the police to report it and also report it to the local Dog Warden
It's the local council and Dog warden & not the police ( or it was a few years ago ) that prosecute dog on dog attacks .
At the very least by reporting it there will be a record in case the dog attacks again .

I'm so sorry your dog has been bitten, and huskies are too large to be under the control of children.

However, I do think it's important whether any of the dogs were off lead, I walk 5 dogs, all on lead and am sick to death of little yappies running into the centre of the pack barking and the owners can't call them back.

Two of ours are muzzled because they can be reactive, it still doesn't seem to matter to other dog owners.