My dog bit a cat 😪

[Bluetoybear]

Please be kind as I am so stressed over this.. name changed for this I have a 7 year old dog which is only walked on a lead 3 times a day in local park and let out in my back garden throughout the day for a wee etc. My back garden has a 6 foot fence around it so my dog can't get out. Yesterday the neighbours cat jumped into my garden and my dog ran after it and bit it on its leg. My neighbour has taken the poor cat to the vets and has had a big vets bill for it and neighbours husband has came round at tea time demanding I pay it all. He was very vocal about it and said if I don't pay it he will 'sue/take me to court/get in touch with authority's saying my dog is dangerous etc. I am so worried as the cat has awful injuries. I have offered to pay half out of goodwill but neighbours telling me I need to pay all of the bill which I can't afford.

My dog has never ever bit anything before

Is your dog not insured?

their cat should be insured and not in your garden

What will happen if they report me and dog to authority's?

On a practical point - check your dogs' insurance policy doesn't cover third party bills - it may well do, so you'll just need to claim off your own policy.

On an emotional side - this is the risk you take when you get a cat and allow it to free-roam outside of your direct supervision. The cat came onto your property - it's not your fault your dog followed its' instincts and bit it. I say that as someone who owns both cats and dogs.

If you choose to let your cat free-roam, then you need to accept the risks that come with it, and that includes the cat coming into contact with predatory animals. I don't think your dog did anything wrong - please try not to feel too guilty

Ummm the cat came into your garden? It’s the cats fault and not yours (I’m a cat owner!!!) they should pay and your offer to pay half is generous.

For clarity, I’m a cat owner and love my cat.
I really don’t think you’re responsible for this at all. Awful for everyone involved, but just one of those things. Cats will roam, dogs will chase them-cats are usually quick enough to get away. Don’t feel bad op I do hope the cat recovers.

Poor cat but it came into YOUR garden and it’s the owners responsibility to keep it out, especially if there’s a dog on it.

I doubt they’d get far with any claim for damages and they are taking the piss quite frankly trying to lay the blame on you.

Is the cat not insured? I have cats and would expect them to be treated and paid for out of that. If its not I think half is fair.

What was their car doing in your garden?

I won’t be paying a penny I’m afraid. Now, if your dog went in their garden and got the cat there, then yes, I’d be paying the lot.

Hmmm. If this was in the park then the cat's owner might have a point but the dog was in its own garden. If the cat attacked another cat on its territory then would he pay the bill?

I'd be sympathetic to the cat and owner but ultimately you didn't invite puss in!

The cat was in your garden. I wouldnt be paying anything. The neighbour needs to cat proof his garden if they don't want it to get out and get injured.

We have 2 cats and both our neighbours have dogs. The cats go into their gardens and one of the dogs in particular often barks loudly at them/chases them, the cats don’t seem to learn to steer clear! My view is that if the dog bit the cat it’s not the dogs fault, they are defending their space that the stupid cat has gone into. No way would I expect my neighbours to pay a thing.

If you have pet insurance, you may be covered for 3rd party liability. Worth checking the policy as it might cover the vet bills.

their cat should be insured and not in your garden

How do you prevent a cat entering a garden? Asking for a friend.

Sorry OP but I'm guessing the responsibility is all yours. [flowers}

I’m also a cat owner too with insurance for circumstances such as this and certainly would not expect any recompense.

As a cat owner, I’d say that if your dog is secure in your own garden, then they can’t really ask you to pay. The cat came in to your garden. If your dog went into theirs, then I’d say something else.

I agree with others, you’re not responsible for any of the bill and nothing will happen to your dog. Ignore them from now on

@Bluetoybear

What will happen if they report me and dog to authority's?

Nothing at all, please don't worry!

Not your fault and certainly not the dogs fault, the cat shouldn't have gone into the garden. You aren't responsible for any of the vets bill and they should have had insurance.

I have dog insurance but I think it only covers if my dog is sick etc and needs treatment.

@sunshinesupermum

their cat should be insured and not in your garden

How do you prevent a cat entering a garden? Asking for a friend.

Sorry OP but I'm guessing the responsibility is all yours. [flowers}

You'd be wrong.

The dog was in a secure garden on its' own property. The cat was the one who came into the dogs' territory. The cats' owners chose to take the risk of letting their cat out to roam unsupervised, and unfortunately this is what can happen.

If the cat came in to your garden dont pay anything.

Additionally the cat is lucky it didn't end up with a Darwin award for being soo daft as to jump into a garden that belongs to a dog!