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.

I have a cat and would claim on my insurance. If you were being really nice then you could pay the excess (mine is £50) but I wouldn't expect anything
If my cat was sat in my own garden then a different matter

I have lots of cats I'd never expect a neighbour to pay if they were injured in their garden by their dog. Only if the dog was off the lead say on the path and chased one.

The cats injuries should be covered by insurance x

You are not liable at all
Your dog was secure in your garden and has behaved like any dog would.
My dog would go for a cat if ir came into our garden - in fact my neighbors cat likes to taunt her by walking along the fence. If the cat is as stupid enough to come into the garden then no way would I be responsible for any vets bills.
Tell your neighbor to get loat

Ill preface this by saying I have a cat, and I'm a big cat lover.. but your dog was in your secure garden, I don't think you should have to pay anything and honestly think you're being very kind by even offering to pay half. It's very unfortunate their cat was badly injured by your dog, but you aren't at fault.

If it hadn't happened in your garden, it would probably be different.

I'm a cat owner.

The fact that the cat was in your garden, where your dog was contained would suggest very strongly that this is not your responsibility. It's very nice of you to offer to pay half the bill, but I'd be inclined to remove the offer if your neighbour continues to behave like an arse.

Tell the cat owner to bugger off. The cat shouldn't have been in your garden. And who would they blame if the cat limped home, its not like the cat can say Roxie at no. 4 bit me!!

I own a cat and a dog. It's the risk they have chosen to take when letting their cat out (which I also do). Their fault for not being insured and you shouldn't be paying a penny

OP, you're a mug if you give them any money at all. Tell them to do one.

They're liable themselves, not you. Your garden is private property, it's unfortunate for the cat that it climbed into a garden with a dog in it, but it doesn't make it your responsibility.
Your dog is entitled to be there.

My dog is a small type dog.. Not a hugh dog.. He has never bit or went for anything/anybody ever before... He is so friendly. I have managed to get in touch with my husband who has been working away and he is so annoyed the male neighbour had a go at me and has told me if he comes back to tell him my husband will go straight round to see him when he gets back. Going to phone my dogs insurance place up first thing tomorrow.

I am a cat owner and would be devastated if this happened to my cat but ultimately the cat went on to someone else’s private property. If they didn’t want this risk they should keep it inside.

You have the right to do what you want in your private property which includes having your dog in the garden! It’s not your fault and nothing will happen if they report you.

You sound like a lovely person and the offer to pay half was very kind

@Bluetoybear

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

Phone them. Most policies include 3rd party cover

Check your insurance for peace of mind, my dog has cover for this kind of thing.

I wouldn't pay a penny, their cat came on to your property.

I wouldn't be paying a penny but IF you did I would be asking the cat owner for a detailed outline of how they are going to keep the cat out of your garden in the future to prevent this happening again!!

Why are you ringing your insurance OP? You aren’t liable

Tell him to clear off, not your issue if your dog is in your garden and your garden is secure

They probably don't have cat insurance, I wouldn't pay a penny to be honest, the dog was secure in your garden.

I too would be sad if my cat got bitten by a dog but if my cat had entered the dog's garden then I wouldn't be blaming the owners or seeking payment of vets bills.

Don't pay anything to them.

@Boood

You need to find a way of covering the bill. This is why dogs aren’t supposed to be left unsupervised- because when they bite, they can do serious damage.

This is ridiculous. Any dog should not need supervision in its own garden (unless the owner deems it necessary if there are children playing there too, of course). If a cat enters the garden, that is not the responsibility of the dog owner.

I doubt your insurance will pay out if the cat was on your property . Personally I would try and get hold of Trevor Cooper at Doglaw and see what he advises you to do before you do anything . Fwiw I don’t think your neighbour has a leg to stand on .

I have a dog and cats and I honestly don’t think you’re liable for this at all.

The dog was in its own garden @Boood so the point you made is irrelevant and ridiculous here.

OP you shouldn't have to pay anything. That's the risk with cats. You were generous to offer half.

And no you shouldn't muzzle your dog in its own backyard and no you don't have to supervise if your yard is secure

@OverByYer

Why are you ringing your insurance OP? You aren’t liable

Yes, don't be ringing your insurance. That's ridiculous.

Muzzling a dog in its own garden is horrible :-(

My dog bit one of my neighbour’s cats years ago. The cat was on my premises. I offered to pay the vet’s bill but my neighbour wouldn’t hear of it. He quite correctly said his cat shouldn’t have strayed on to my premises.
So you have no liability OP. Express sympathy but do not pay.