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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog causes over €1000 fine

280 replies

Girlmom83 · 30/10/2023 13:19

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?

OP posts:
androidnotapple · 30/10/2023 14:46

Girlmom83 · 30/10/2023 14:18

I have both dog and home insurance

Your pet insurance should cover this.

Keepingthingsinteresting · 30/10/2023 14:47

Badlydrawnmum · 30/10/2023 13:47

You should pay every penny! Disgraceful that you think you can get away with not paying. If I were him I’d sue you for more.

your dog gets out and harassed him to the extent that he comes off his bike, damaging his bike and you are quibbling? Ask him for quotes by all means but you ought to be paying double for the stress you put him under and get your dog destroyed if it reacts like that in public.

With the greatest respect @Badlydrawnmum get a grip. It was an accident, OP is willing to put it right and punitive damages are ridiculous. Have you never made a mistake 🙄.

@Girlmom83 , sounds like a shock for you all. Try to stay calm and definitely go through insurance and get 3 quotes. Also check your security and work on boundaries training.

MargotBamborough · 30/10/2023 14:47

novalia89 · 30/10/2023 13:58

I seriously don't know how you think that this is ok. A dog caused damage to a property of someone else and the cyclist themselves and you think that it is acceptable to just block them? that's not how the law works. I can see how insurance is mandatory for car drivers with attitudes like this!

Show quote history

If the dog caused damage to the bike then the bike owner is free to issue a claim in the small claims court where they will have to justify their expenses.

The fact that they claimed it would cost the OP "millions" and are wanting 100€ for some antibiotics plus the full cost of a new bike shows that they're trying it on and should be ignored.

sangriapeople · 30/10/2023 14:48

You'll not get much of a bike with £1000. He's having you on.

It’s possible that he’s being kind and taking depreciation into account. Especially if it was an older bike…

@PumpkinsAndCoconuts

True!

Keepingthingsinteresting · 30/10/2023 14:49

Tiredjoanna · 30/10/2023 13:50

Yes but a child couldn't rip the blokes face off like a dangerous dog🙄

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But the dog didn’t do that @Tiredjoanna , so what’s your point?

LoneFemaleTraveller · 30/10/2023 14:50

You could contact your home insurance. But €1000 for an adult bike isnt way out at all!

your dog needs training.

Throwingpots · 30/10/2023 14:50

Feeling sorry for cyclist here, nothing worse than dog that’s lunges for a bike when you’re riding it. It’s happened to me more than once, haven’t fallen off yet but it’s been a close thing. It’s actually quite scary as you don’t know the dog or what they’re capable of.
If bike is badly damaged then of course you need to pay for repairs.

looking4pup · 30/10/2023 14:51

sangriapeople · 30/10/2023 14:18

You'll not get much of a bike with £1000. He's having you on.

This seems contradictory?

MajorBarbara · 30/10/2023 14:51

sangriapeople · 30/10/2023 14:48

You'll not get much of a bike with £1000. He's having you on.

It’s possible that he’s being kind and taking depreciation into account. Especially if it was an older bike…

@PumpkinsAndCoconuts

True!

I think that my bike that cost £850 is pretty good.

SpicyMoth · 30/10/2023 14:51

I gotta be honest, I think this guy is trying to swindle you for money during a cost of living crisis. €1000???? Seriously????
And the antibiotics are a bit of a joke as well to be honest, his scrapes were from falling off the bike, not the dog attacking him, right?
Where does the need for antibiotics come in exactly?

Can't help but wonder if your dog wasn't a "scary breed" if he'd have had the same reaction.
As others have said, go through insurance.
Also be careful to not give him ammunition so that he can take it further in the court systems. My mum used to tell me stories about being really careful how you word things in her line of work and it can come back to bite you later, even if you're trying to just be nice and accommodating!

looking4pup · 30/10/2023 14:52

Tighginn · 30/10/2023 14:08

What breed of dog? Could you sell the dog to pay the man?

Don't you like dogs?

MajorBarbara · 30/10/2023 14:52

Throwingpots · 30/10/2023 14:50

Feeling sorry for cyclist here, nothing worse than dog that’s lunges for a bike when you’re riding it. It’s happened to me more than once, haven’t fallen off yet but it’s been a close thing. It’s actually quite scary as you don’t know the dog or what they’re capable of.
If bike is badly damaged then of course you need to pay for repairs.

If the cyclist hits their head the consequences could be very bad indeed.

DisforDarkChocolate · 30/10/2023 14:53

Who left the gate open?

PosterBoy · 30/10/2023 14:53

novalia89 · 30/10/2023 13:54

What a ridiculous thing to say! Would you say this if it caused a car crash? She could be taken to court, because anyone can take anyone to court for damages if they are liable and the court sees it fit to do so.

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Yes and that's much better than this ridiculous 'I'll sue you for a million ' followed by threatening texts.

He can do what normal people do and go via insurers and courts

Keepingthingsinteresting · 30/10/2023 14:53

This reply has been deleted

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looking4pup · 30/10/2023 14:54

My step dads bike was £3000. Assuming his bike did cost a lot how much damage can be made just by falling onto the road? He needs to get a quote for the damage. Not sure how you would do that?

alloalloallo · 30/10/2023 14:55

If you’ve got pet insurance, it usually includes liability cover for exactly this kind of situation.

Get his details and pass them into your insurer.

ManchesterLu · 30/10/2023 14:58

LeCirqueFouFurieux · 30/10/2023 13:21

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.

100% exactly what this poster has said. Be more careful with your gate, but there's no need to rehome your dog.

paintingvenice · 30/10/2023 14:58

Go through insurance. He sounds like he is trying to extort money by threatening a loved family pet.

DeireadhFomhair · 30/10/2023 14:58

All those saying "but dog only went for pedals"; Maybe the cyclist had clip on pedal thingies (I don't know what they're called 🤔) and felt the dog was going for his feet...

Keepingthingsinteresting · 30/10/2023 15:00

Anyfeckinusername · 30/10/2023 14:35

OMG just do the right thing! You big dog attacked a cyclist and he fell. £ or € - 1,000 is entry level carbon road bike pricing. It could we've been so much worse. If his bike is carbon it's a write off from the fall.

You can always report it but be prepared to be in trouble for letting a dangerous dog let loose! Jesus, it's terrifying when dogs go for you on a bike.

And it’s terrifying when you’re quietly walking along footpaths and bloody cyclists come tearing past a hairs breadth away and nearly hit you, freaking out your dog and making it reactive, but for the love of god we can’t blame the cyclists!

RantyAnty · 30/10/2023 15:00

I'm not sure what your question is OP.

You have an untrained XL bully in your yard and a gate that isn't locked and someone left the gate open and the dog ran out and attacked a cyclist.

You have pet insurance so use it to settle the claim and get rid of the dog.

novalia89 · 30/10/2023 15:01

PosterBoy · 30/10/2023 14:53

Yes and that's much better than this ridiculous 'I'll sue you for a million ' followed by threatening texts.

He can do what normal people do and go via insurers and courts

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What were the threatening texts? He reduced it to €1000 in the texts. Ignore the millions said at the time, he was probably full of adrenaline having a dangerous dog come at him at his pedals. You'd be petrified.

vodkaredbullgirl · 30/10/2023 15:02

RantyAnty · 30/10/2023 15:00

I'm not sure what your question is OP.

You have an untrained XL bully in your yard and a gate that isn't locked and someone left the gate open and the dog ran out and attacked a cyclist.

You have pet insurance so use it to settle the claim and get rid of the dog.

Has the OP said what dog it is, can't see anything about an XL bully?

novalia89 · 30/10/2023 15:02

Keepingthingsinteresting · 30/10/2023 15:00

And it’s terrifying when you’re quietly walking along footpaths and bloody cyclists come tearing past a hairs breadth away and nearly hit you, freaking out your dog and making it reactive, but for the love of god we can’t blame the cyclists!

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Strawman argument. That has nothing to do with this situation.

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