Dog causes over €1000 fine

[Girlmom83]

My scary breed dog breed is confined to our relatively large space with secure gates. One of gates was left open and in that instant was triggered by a passing cyclist. Absolutely, my dog, my problem. This experienced older cyclist got a severe fright, bike and himself crashed to ground. He has 2 significant scrapes and bike had damage (in my own shock I did not examine it) I was totally owning the situation completely apologetic and helped this man with disinfectant etc. He threatened me with millions very quickly and I'd lose my house hence my extra shock. He reported me and the dog to the guards. I've been looking at re homing her.
Today I received a text that he is well but to pay 1000 for a new bike and 100 for antibiotic etc. I've no problem paying what is due, 1000 is not millions, but to me I also cant even afford 1000, what checks should I make first and would I be unreasonable as it was my dog and my gate?

Who has issued the fine?

Dont you have pet insurance? Pet insurance for dogs usually cover third party liability so the insurance company would take it all over for you.

Do you have insurance? Go through your insurance company, give the gentlemen the details and let them deal with it all.

Don't go handing over money to him directly as he may come back for more and more as more injuries come to light.

I don't understand why you would rehome a dog over this, just make sure the gates have extra protection on them.

Assuming the fine is legit, surely you could claim on the 3rd party liability part of your pet insurance? Although I think some breeds are uninsurable so you potentially might not get it.

Definitely go through insurance, it protects you both.

Did the dog just bark or go for him?

What did the dog do? If the dogs bark plus presence caused him to fall I would tell him where to go! Love how because it's a dog people think you should pay but if a child it's okay!

This experienced older cyclist got a severe fright, bike and himself crashed to ground.

Also, are you saying your dog didn't knock him from the bike, or run in front? What exactly did your dog do? Approach, Bark, Attack etc.?

Surely the first step is a copy of what the bike is worth new, ideally, how much he paid for it and when, and a quote of how much to repair or replace.

Bikes can be extremely expensive, some as much as a bee small car!

Not familiar with the law in Ireland - in UK dogs are strict liability so pretty much your dog=you pay. I don't think the same rules apply in Ireland - but you really need a lawyer. Also you may have insurance to cover this if you have home or pet insurance - if so best to check with them before doing anything else.

I'm assuming you're in Ireland? Ring the Gardai and tell them about this extortion immediately. And tell the person in question that you're doing it. You know fine well antibiotics don't cost €100 (and he probably has insurance or a medical card for the GP appointment, if he doesn't, more fool him) and a €1000 bike a) should have been insured and b) doesn't need replacing every time he falls off it!

Are you based in the UK, Op?

You mention being reported to the guards. Do you mean the police or are you in a different country, e.g. Ireland?

Reads more like a claim for €1000 for new bike/repairs and €100 for medical expenses.
If your dog got out and ran after cyclist causing him to fall, I think you're liable.

Just re-read and seen the injuries came from him falling off his bike not a dog bite. Definitely ring the Gardai. Fecking eejit is trying it on. Antibiotics my arse.

Who is texting you?

Don't pay anything until you've spoken to your pet insurance or asked for some legal advice.

She also says € so I assume so.

Which country is this?

What did the dog actually do? Your details are a little vague and don't give the full story.

"One of gates was left open and in that instant was triggered by a passing cyclist." doesn't make much sense.

Did the cyclist passing the gate trigger it to open? Did the dog attack the cyclist? Or did the dog just bark at the cyclist? Or did the dog run out into the path of the cyclist?

Also, if the cyclist is claiming a new bike, then you are entitled to see receipts, and the damaged bike would then become your property.

100€ seems like a lot for ordinary antibiotics.

Can you ask for proof of how much he originally paid for the bike and when?

Just block his number

Also, did you actually see what happened or are you going on what he told you?

It strikes me that people often say their dog was 'triggered' by something as a way of pushing the blame onto the person who got bitten, harmed, scared, etc. If I'm walking (or God forbid jogging!) past an open gate and some great big dog flies out and goes for me, I'd certainly be looking at everything legal I could. Suppose it was a kid?

Unusual for a dog owner to describe their dog as a ‘scary breed’ and instantly consider rehoming for an incident which is ultimately down to their inability to secure dog or gate.
I wouldn’t be paying anything on the man’s say so.

It was the shock. I can't bring myself to it.

We had a similar thing in the uk some years ago. Someone left our gate open our old dog, not a dangerous breed, got out and ran across the road causing a van to swerve and hit a parked car. I reported it to my house insurance and never heard anything more.