Being told to pay vet bill

[majesticallycurvy]

Long story short, we accidentally hit a cat through no fault of ours and the cat unfortunately passed away. We offered our condolences to the owners and are sorry for their loss, but they are hounding us to pay their vet bill.

It's a no from us but we're being slandered over it...

Wwyd?

I'm guessing cat isn't insured?

Do they not have insurance? This is exactly why you should, it’s very sad about their car but sadly I would expect everyone to have pet insurance.

Allowing cats to roam means the owner takes on responsibility. I’m a cat owner. I’ve had a cat hit by a car. Don’t pay it. It isn’t your bill.

The cat owners are being absolutely Ridiculous!

Offer to go half if you’re feeling really nice, but ultimately it was an accident and this is the risk you take having an outdoor cat. Are they not insured?

There is no legal responsibility or obligation for you to pay.

They are very lucky you told them! Lots of people drive off. Don't pay the bill. The cat should have been insured by the owners and unfortunately this is a risk owners take when letting their cats roam.

You are not liable at all, ignore them.

You have no obligation to pay anything. Hitting the cat can’t be helped. Poor cat but sh*t happens.

If you are being slandered, take legal advice. Get a cease and desist letter sent.

I know you have no legal obligation to pay but if I’d hit someone’s pet I’d be beside myself. Depending on the cost I’d pay or offer half. Unfortunately it’s a risk people take when they allow their cats to roam.

I’d send them a bill for the dent to my car 😁

I would pay half, you must of been going at quite a speed not to be able to see the cat/slow down?

I would if it were a dog, sadly with a cat the owners aren’t liable for the damage to your vehicle.

I'd offer to pay the excess on their insurance claim.

Hell no. Their cat their problem

Sad, but not your responsibility. If they didn’t want their cat hit by a car, they needed to keep it off the road (and insure it).

This. They're being unreasonable. My cats are beloved, their insurance costs me hundreds a year, but I have the peace of mind of not having vets bills.

Rubbish. I once hit and killed a cat, it ran out in front of me and there was nothing I could do. I felt dreadful but it wasmt my fault.

We have cats and its a risk you take if you let them out. We let our cats roam, and if they are injured as a result, we would pay for any treatment.

If the cat was killed outright, why did it incur any vet bills?

Despite it being a complete accident, I think I would personally feel the need to pay the bill - you asked WWYD. Thats not at all saying you should, just what I would do.

Why make this assumption? I had a cat dash out under my car when I was only going about 10 mph.

This

Nope, car insurance is there to reduce costs associated with hitting another car/driver, not an animal whose owner has chosen to allow it out and about.

Block them and ignore. Not your pet, not your bill to pay.

Not your responsibility to pay.
I’m a cat lover, it’s very sad but the risk the owner takes with a free roaming cat

And as for "pay their insurance excess" - hard no. You are not liable here in any situation, however cat lovers want to twist the facts.

Im a cat lover, i wouldn't expect anyone else to pay. My cat couldn't be insured due to ongoing health issues but i wouldn't expect anyone to pay vet bills bar me, an accident is an accident...but be kind to owners OP...just say it with respect xxx