Page 14 | My dog bit a cat 😪

Bluetoybear · 2021-07-08T17:00:41+00:00

Please be kind as I am so stressed over this.. name changed for this [sad]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[sad]. 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.

ArrrMeHearties · 08/07/2021 20:25

Cat owner has a right cheek asking you for a single penny. Their cat has came into your dogs garden where said dog has a secure space to roam yet your at fault... not in my eyes and I say that as yes a dog owner but also a dog owner that if my dog injured a cat I would admit fault

KatieMcKatie · 08/07/2021 20:25

You poor thing I don't think this is your fault at all. Their insurance should cover it that's what it's their for.

KatieMcKatie · 08/07/2021 20:25

There for not their for

DeathByWalkies · 08/07/2021 20:26

Check the details of your pet insurance policy - most will include third party liability insurance which should pay out for something like this.

Is the cat insured? If so, they should be able to claim from that. If not, it should be!

It's highly unlikely the police will do anything - you didn't set your dog on the cat deliberately, your dog didn't bite a human, and the cat was on your property. I've frequently heard people moaning that they can't get police interested in dog v dog attacks (they only become interested if a human is bitten) so I can't see them getting interested in this one.

Theoretically the owners could pursue civil action against you, but it's unlikely. Do you have home insurance? Many policies include legal cover.

This is useful www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/report-dog-attack

FlaminEckVera · 08/07/2021 20:28

@Bluetoybear

He has stopped knocking now.. I have my bedroom window open as it's so warm tonight and he had been knocking and saying to his wife who was outside 'I know she is in there!' my husband was fuming on the phone and is going to come home a couple of hours earlier from work tomorrow to go straight round and see him! I have had surgery on my shoulder so was resting in bed with a book as it's still very sore. Little dog was barking and was no help whatsoever

OH for fuck's sake!!!

PLEASE call 101. This man is harassing you big time now

Get in first and call the police NOW. He's unhinged!

Sending you love

Disfordarkchocolate · 08/07/2021 20:29

It's not your responsibility to pay any of this bill. Your dog was in its own garden.

anunexaminedlife · 08/07/2021 20:30

OP, get tough! Do not pay anything towards their vet bills and do not entertain your neighbour's intimidation! I wish I lived on the other side of you, I would tell him to fuck off on your behalf

santabetterwashhishands · 08/07/2021 20:30

My dog did the same in our enclosed garden but I was definitely not paying a penny 🤷‍♀️
The cat owners had been warned on numerous occasions that he would attack it if he got chance and they said that's the chance they take letting their cat out to wander.

DeathByWalkies · 08/07/2021 20:33

I'd honestly be tempted to call the police myself and

a) get my side of the story in first, before they come up with some unhinged version of the truth

b) log the harassment in case it starts to escalate

Closetbeanmuncher · 08/07/2021 20:34

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

This with bells on. This is the risk they chose having a roaming animal. THEY should be claiming on THEIR insurance.

Your dog can't be put to sleep for this if that's what you're worried about, they're preying on your good nature.

Tell him where to stick it and don't you dare pay a penny!

Branleuse · 08/07/2021 20:35

I think id offer to pay half as a gesture of goodwill if you can afford to. You arent obliged to though as the cat came into the dogs garden. I dont think insurance would pay out because of this.

My kitten got into my neighbours garden years ago and their dogs went for it. It was lucky to be alive. My neighbours did cover it thankfully. They didnt have to do that, but their kindness about it all probably saved our friendship

StrangeToSee · 08/07/2021 20:36

Why should you pay when the cat came onto YOUR property? Your dog was safely in a secure garden. Most cats are sensible enough not to stray into gardens with dogs.

Legally you’re not obliged to pay anything. I’d be furious at being told to pay! They should keep their cat in a secure garden if they’re worried it will wander.

They should also have cat insurance.

Many dogs will chase and catch a cat, squirrel or rat that intrudes on their territory.

Just as many cats run in front of cars and get injured; nobody asks the driver to pay!

Whyareblokesonhere · 08/07/2021 20:36

I don't think your husband should go round there. If anything happens/ escalates it will confuse matters. Also withdraw your going halves offer, no way is this on you, you can say that you offered out of kindness for the cat but now the husband has clearly tried to intimidate and harass you, the goodwill offer is withdrawn.

LST · 08/07/2021 20:36

@Branleuse

I think id offer to pay half as a gesture of goodwill if you can afford to. You arent obliged to though as the cat came into the dogs garden. I dont think insurance would pay out because of this.

My kitten got into my neighbours garden years ago and their dogs went for it. It was lucky to be alive. My neighbours did cover it thankfully. They didnt have to do that, but their kindness about it all probably saved our friendship

Why would your friendship not has survived your cat going into their garden!?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 08/07/2021 20:37

@Thisisthemonth

their cat should be insured and not in your garden

This, I'm afraid.

This accident isn't your fault. Most dogs will chase a moving object and that includes cats. You keep your dog under control in public, and can't be expected to police it every moment when it's in your own garden

Legally, you have NO responsibility fr the vet bill - in the interests of neighbourly relations you could offer to pay part of it, but it isn't your responsibility unless your dog was (say) in their garden when it chased and bit the cat.

It's a shame, but it happens.

Not your fault.

shouldistop · 08/07/2021 20:37

The cat entered your garden. It's not your responsibility to pay. Your dog wasn't out of control in public. I'm afraid this is the risk you take when you have a pet that roams.
I hope the cat is ok but I wouldn't pay a penny.

ZooKeeper19 · 08/07/2021 20:38

Cat owner and dog lover here. Their cat was on your property. Not your problem. This is why cats should not be allowed outside and if they are, it's the cat owner's problem. Your dog was not out of control and will not have any trouble from anyone they call. I am sorry for what happened. I hope you feel better but honesty the cat was daft and got injured because of this. I have 2 cats and will never let them out, never. I love them too much. Case closed.

Please do make yourself good strong cuppa and pat your poor pooch, it was NOT his fault and he can feel you are upset, please tell him you are not upset with him. It's natural instinct.

LST · 08/07/2021 20:39

@ZooKeeper19

Cat owner and dog lover here. Their cat was on your property. Not your problem. This is why cats should not be allowed outside and if they are, it's the cat owner's problem. Your dog was not out of control and will not have any trouble from anyone they call. I am sorry for what happened. I hope you feel better but honesty the cat was daft and got injured because of this. I have 2 cats and will never let them out, never. I love them too much. Case closed.

Please do make yourself good strong cuppa and pat your poor pooch, it was NOT his fault and he can feel you are upset, please tell him you are not upset with him. It's natural instinct.

I let mine out because I love them. They'd do their nut in otherwise.

MrsSkylerWhite · 08/07/2021 20:40

Please, stop worrying. I think you’re lovely for being so concerned about the cat but I don’t anything will happen to your dog as a result, which I’m guessing is your main concern. Hopefully, OPs will have knowledge of the law?
As a cat and dog owner, the only way for your neighbours to protect their cat outside of their own garden is to install cat fencing or poles on their own boundaries.
This isn’t your fault.

TalkingOutYerArse · 08/07/2021 20:43

Not your problem, as sad as it is for the cat. Hope its better soon but this is not on you to pay for.

userxx · 08/07/2021 20:44

Pretty sure as the cat was on your property then they can't do anything about it, it's their responsibility to pay the vets bills and you can't be prosecuted.

GettingItOutThere · 08/07/2021 20:44

@Bluetoybear

He has stopped knocking now.. I have my bedroom window open as it's so warm tonight and he had been knocking and saying to his wife who was outside 'I know she is in there!' my husband was fuming on the phone and is going to come home a couple of hours earlier from work tomorrow to go straight round and see him! I have had surgery on my shoulder so was resting in bed with a book as it's still very sore. Little dog was barking and was no help whatsoever

if he bashes on again , phone the police

I have dogs and a cat, if my cats were bitten going into someone else's garden, then I am afraid that is the risk I take letting them out! I would not be banging on your door, I would be upset but such as life.

If the dog had chased a cat into their garden and bit then it's different!

Feel better soon OP, you are not in the wrong

I would also add though, check your garden too people like this have nasty habits of throwing things over such as poisoned food/sausages/nails etc x

Itawapuddytat · 08/07/2021 20:46

The third party liability on your insurance should cover for situations when you are liable for your dog injuring someone/other dog/cat etc . This time you are NOT liable for anything, your dog was in your own garden, the cat is the one that trespassed and got attacked. You don't need to call them, they won't pay anyway but might raise your premium (just because they can, greedy people!) . You ARE NOT LIABLE . Very sorry for the cat, but this is what happens with cats that roam, they can injured by other cats, by dogs, foxes, cars, bikes etc If the neighbours keep harassing you, call the police and report them, they will be the ones that get into trouble, not you or your dog.

I used to have dogs, having only a cat now, who is old and stays indoors. But I used to have a kitty who loved visiting the neighbours' gardens, once she came home with a shredded ear but no way I went to knock at the door of Isobel-down-the-road to tell her that her Tom had a fight with my cheeky madam and demanding compensations (yup, I know it was him, he is VERY territorial ) This is what happens with cats that roam, this is the risk we all take when we let them do it (and this is why we need to have them insured)

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/07/2021 20:46

If my nob head neighbours dog who they let run up and down the street (I’ve had complaints from delivery drivers about it) attacked my cat in my front open garden I’d absolutely expect them to pay. They know letting it off the lead is dangerous for any kids or cats about

My cat going into any other garden then it’s down to me to pay. If she goes outside the garden she does so at her risk and my liability. She takes that chance when she goes into nice neighbours garden who has a water pistol. Think they both sort of enjoy it

Tell him to go through his insurance. If they’ve got any questions tell his insurance company to contact you directly and you'll give them your insurance details. Don’t give them to him

SchadenfreudePersonified · 08/07/2021 20:47

If he comes back, ring the police, tell them there's an aggressive man at your door and you're alone. They'll come and have a word with him.

Absolutely this!

How dare he bully and intimidate you!

Having read some of your further posts, I would tell him to do one. I've got two free-roaming cats. I love them to bits, but if they were killed or injured by a dog, another cat, or a vehicle, I would accept that that was no one's responsibility but mine.