My dog has bitten my neighbours rabbit

[Brookerj]

My 2 year old dog got into my neighbours garden and somehow got into the rabbit run and has bitten the rabbit. My neighbour has taken the rabbit to the vet and has presented me with a bill for £1275 as the rabbit has had 2 pins put into its leg. I have been very apologetic and took chocolates round to the owner of the rabbit but I do not have this sort of money to spare - what can I do - I feel awful.

Regardless of wether you think it's an obscene amount of money to spend on a rabbit or it should have been in a more secure hut or she should have it put down etc the fact remains that if it wasn't for the OPs dog the rabbit would still be happily hopping around eating carrots (or whatever rabbits do). Her dog has caused harm and because of that the rabbit owner has had to do what's necessary to restore the rabbit to its previous state. Just as you would if you ran into another persons car, with your car. It needs to be put right by the person who damages it, in this case the OPs dog caused the damage so she should pay. Regardless of who thinks what about the price. To avoid this she should have, and now needs to ensure it doesn't get into the neighbours (or anyone else's) garden.

The trouble is the dog now knows there is a rabbit next door and will try all the harder to get to it - I have 2 terriers and I know how persistent they can be.

I'm sure the OP will manage to wriggle out of it somehow. If I was the rabbit's owner I'd have unfortunately taken it for granted that the dog's owner would refuse to pay and had the poor rabbit pts.

Thank you Dimples I'll look now

To all those saying that the rabbit should have been in a fox proof run, or that the fence might be too low, or in disrepair, the law in UK says that as a dog owner you are responsible to keep your dog under control. It is up to you to keep your fences in good order, and to prevent your dog from doing damage.

The rabiit's owner would be responsible if she/he had let the rabbit get into your garden, then you wouldn't be liable, as your dog was secure in your garden.

Cat's are not viewed in the same way under law, so if the nieghbours cat had attacked the rabbit, then the rabbit owner has no comeback.

For example, we have chickens who free range. Our garden as it happens is very secure. If I let my chickens out and a fox gets them, that is my tough luck. If one of the neighbours' cats catching one, it is my bad luck. If my neighbour's dog gets under the fence and gets one of my chickens, then it the neighbours responsibility.

I know I have been one of the ones talking about the vet's bill etc, but I have said very clearly all along, that the OP is liable.

Thing is you cant magic up over a grand if you haven't got it, I know I haven't got it, Id probably offer to split it, but that's only after I could be 100% sure it was even my dog.

Another one here who says you need to pay up, OP. Your dog, your responsibility. You need to keep your dog under control.

And whilst I know that some rabbits are among the most neglected of captive pets - one of my big bugbears with some irresponsible owners - most rabbits are loved and cared for very well indeed. We have kept rabbits for almost 20 years. Our current girl is almost 13 yrs old, her sister had to be PTS about six months ago after a stroke, so she was 12 and a half. Pretty good life, I think. In all their lifetimes they have had a choice of two runs each day, one for fair weather, one for foul. Snug in their hutches every night (we have a fox problem). They have heatpads in the winter under their straw, parasols and fans on hot days for their run. They have all had happy lives (as happy as a captive rabbit can have, all rescues) and they have been loved by us. To dismiss a family pet as 'Just a rabbit' and suggesting PTS and getting a replacement is completely and utterly twattish. One rabbit years ago had repeated health problems and cost us around £2000 in her lifetime. But she was our pet, we undertook to look after her, so that is what we did.

If a dog got into our garden and caused injury, you can bet your life I would hold that owner responsible. And take them to court, if necessary.

Pay up, OP - it is your responsibility.

Agree with steppemum. It's awful and sad but it's a bit traumatic for a rabbit to be put through such extensive surgery and cost wise it's excessive.

In your opinion, it's excessive.

How is it any more traumatic for a rabbit to have been put through surgery than a dog or a cat? For a dog or cat, it's acceptable, in your opinion, but a rabbit is expendable? And the rabbit suffered these injuries through no fault of its own, nor that of the rabbit's owner.

Some people are just unbelievable.

If the Vet had thought the surgery not worth it, I'm pretty sure she/he would have advised accordingly.

If someone's dog attacked my cat and they rocked up on the doorstep with chocolates and a new kitten, telling me to have her PTS I would not be able to restrain myself - violence would ensue.

I'm not sure if you've already been asked this, but how did the dog get into the run?

It's excessive. My friend's rabbit has cost more in vets fees than her dog or her horse! Certainly if my cat had been responsible I'd be shrugging my shoulders & I wonder if she would have been so quick to shell out if it were bitten by a fox. I think the OP's neighbour has assumed an awful lot actually.

All that said, unfortunately I think you're stuck with paying the bill. Maybe move this to legal to get some legal advice? And check your household insurance?

Exactly would she have shelled out if a fox had got the rabbit?

Exactly would she have shelled out if a fox had got the rabbit?

Totally irrelevant. The op is responsible for her dog. She should pay.

would she have shelled out if a fox had got the rabbit

Err, well no. Because a fox is a wild animal, and not constrained by a human. A dog is a licensed animal, therefore the owner is responsible for its actions.

The fact that you think this rabbit is less worthy of medical treatment or love than a horse speaks volumes. The rabbit is a pet, which was being adequately cared for by its owner. A neighbour's dog came into HER garden, injured HER pet, and some people are querying why that injured pet is worth the medical treatment it required to bring it back to health.

Bloody hell £1300 for a rabbit! Where is her common sense! Id offer her however much it would have cost to put it to sleep plus the cost of a new rabbit. Pinning the leg of a rabbit is just a colossal waste of money.

I'm a rabbit owner actually so I don't consider it less worthy at all. If it happened to my rabbit, I'd have to question how a dog could get into the run. I think for that reason I'd go 50/50 on the cost.

In my usual experience, foxes come out at night. Pet rabbits (certainly ours) are in their safe hutches at night. During the day, they are in their run and safe from foxes.

A neighbour's visiting friend brought their dog, which got into our garden and terrorised our rabbits, whilst safely in their run. The little fucker yapped and yapped (Dachsund) and chased them around and around. Although they have hidey places in their run, the rabbits were absolutely terrified. Until unwelcome dog got into the garden, they were enjoying their usual peaceful day. After I had words with the neighbour's guest (owner of the dog), we haven't seen that dog again

Pinning the leg of a rabbit is just a colossal waste of money

Why, exactly? Please explain.

Bloody hell £1300 for a rabbit! Where is her common sense! Id offer her however much it would have cost to put it to sleep plus the cost of a new rabbit

I don't even know where to begin with this. So, if a neighbour's dog injured your cat, you'd be happy if that owner offered you the price of the PTS and brought you a kitten? Or if someone's horse trampled on your dog, you'd be more than delighted if they offered for your dog to be PTS, as it's probably not worth saving. 'Sorry 'bout that, can't afford to get your dog fixed, even though it's ultimately my fault, but here's a new puppy and a box of yummy chocs. Cheerio'.

Why does it matter how the dog got into the run ,my last 2 buns were both giant breeds and were free range in the garden , my garden was secure enough to keep them in and frankly they terrorised any visiting cats - I would not have expected a dog to get in .

You choose to own a dog and therefore you take responsibility for your dog. Your dog is 100% your responsibility to keep under control at all times. It clearly wasn't under proper control, you allowed it to escape and act dangerously and it has caused harm.
You need to pay or you could be taken to a small claims court. You also need to be grateful it wasn't a child your dog attacked.

For those saying 'it's just a rabbit' well, you're just a human on an overpopulated planet. Would you like your 'value' to be a key factor in medical treatment?

Anyway, lots of ignorance on this thread. The OP could be persued for criminal damage as her neighbours rabbit is classed as property, property which the OP's dog has damaged. The same law applies to cats, they are recognised as property or 'chattel' of the owner while maintaining the right to roam.

Morally of course the OP needs to pay up. Part and parcel of responsible dog ownership is having secure boundaries. And please get insurance if you cannot afford vet bills OP, it could be your own dog who becomes unwell and need urgent treatment which can run into the thousands.

Oh dear op, what a horrible situation. I really feel for you.

But it is your responsibility I think, sorry.