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?

Oh, and re anti biotics. Anyone who has dealt with road rash before will know how easily it gets infected.

You need to pay op.

No, she does not. She needs to refer it to her insurers and let them deal with it.

Your dog you pay. I'd pay what he's asking because if he takes you to court it'll go way worse for you. I would pay and have him sign something that says he won't pursue anything after the payment. And there is no why in hell I'd have a reactive dog in a home with children

I am not in any way disputing paying any amount to this gentleman. I am completely liable here but only for costs incurred as he is 100% fine and upgrading garden security. I want to ensure im dealing with it in the correct manner. Your comment is not advice.
But others have helped therefore I will close this thread.

Which may require a police report - I get the impression she doesn't want her dog reported to the police.

She needs to pay, whether that is outside court, via small claims or via the insurance, but she is liable for the costs.

I know that the OP isn't disputing this though, and is just wondering the best method to deal with it.

Your dog, your gate, your responsibility.

Should have made sure the gate was locked.

If he is making a claim against you he needs to

submit quotes for repair from more than one sourse
submit receipts for antiseptic.

or take you to the small claims court (expensive)

he can’t just blindly throw figures at you out of nowhere. Meanwhile he should not be abusing you and threatening you with loosing your home.
It was your fault but you acted immediately to help him.

So mow is the time to keep it formal, legal and non emotional

That type of "reaction" is protective.

To the dog, the cyclist can appear as a threat.

German shepherds, well-bred and trained are superb family dogs and very protective, particularly of vulnerable family members.

Try insurance

but also you need to see if the bike can be repaired, it was not new therefore he doesn’t get a new bike automatically

ask him for quotes to repair, ask him for details of the new bike he wants ask him for picture of his existing bike then see what the costs come out at

is €100 right for a prescription of antibiotics?

As noted.
He needs to submit quotes for the bike repair and receipts for anything else. £100 for antiseptic …..no!
£1000 for bike…..receipts!……or is just buying a new bike cheaper. Like with car damage.

Give him you insurance details (dog insurance) and also call the insurance company yourself with your side of the story.

He is demanding £1000 for a new bike, how do you know his bike was even worth £1000 or that it’s not reparable? Yes you were at fault but he could be trying it on a bit.

Dog is already reported to police as is owner

Thank you for this appreciate it

Yes

Guessing the sort of person that threatens someone for millions and the loss of their home is more likely to up the anti, Not more likely to suddenly be kind as you say.

PAY UP OP

either you or your insurance

The dog sounds like a liability

If you're going to own a bike worth that much, surely you'd insure it?

It's very hard to insure a bike for damage. The only policies I have come across are for third party or theft.

For anyone even vaguely into cycling, £1000 really isn't that much for a bike (sadly).

A lot of anger and hot air can be said in the heat of adrenalin when you've just been knocked off your bike.

OP, I’m in Ireland. Don’t try to settle with the cyclist yourself. Go through your insurer, this is what you are paying it for.
You sound in shock, unsurprisingly. Don’t contact him yourself anymore.
I can well believe the cost of medications and the bike, everything is very expensive here.

Why? It's a German Shepherd not some rabid wolf FFS.

I would go through insurance. I'd give the cyclist the details and then block him

Its a 30 to 40kg dog, easily capable of of causing serious injury to anyone, esp someone on a bicycle.

I'm sure you'd feel exactly the same if you were punted off your bike and hurt yourself... not.

What do you mean a 'scary' breed?

There is no such thing, simply illegal breeds (like pit bull or wolves) and legal breeds... if its an illegal breed your in trouble anyway unless you are licensed to keep them in which case you risk your license.

If its a legal breed then scary is entirely subjective.

I have worked in a vets and the most vicious and aggressive dogs where always small dogs. I have only ever been bitten once (severely, requiring 3 surgeries) by a 'lap' dog.

While 'bull' breeds do make up the majority of fatal attacks people forget that other breeds are killers too. For example Jack Russel (hunting dog breed to have high pray drive) are actually among the top deadliest breeds in the UK and have killed several babies through out record keeping but people fail to view them as dangerous.

Some people might be scared of the size of big dogs but that does not make them scary or dangerous inherently.

While you should have control of your animal (which is where you are at fault) any injury caused by over reaction is their own issue (nothing to do with the 'breed'). They either got attacked or didn't and regardless of if its a Doberman or a Yorkshire terrier its only the injury/damage caused by the dog that matters here.