Page 3 | My dog was just attacked by another dog - how do I get the other dog's owner to pay

yogz1976 · 2022-12-04T14:34:08+00:00

My brother-in-law was walking my dog in the park earlier (on a lead) when a labrador (off lead) ran towards them, picked up my dog (a chihuahua) in it's jaws and was mauling him like he was a rabbit. Also caused injury to my BIL from getting bitten himself. He is at the vet now. Suspect punctured lung. My BIL got this guy's telephone number, but now he's telling us he has no money, and that his dog had never bit anyone before. Need some practical advice please. What can I do? We are looking at a vet's bill of £2000 potentially. How can I make this owner pay? Sorry if my post is a bit confused. I'm still in shock, but I want to act quickly.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 04/12/2022 16:26

Well, if the owner doesn’t have insurance then your only option is to recover your losses is the county court. The court may well find in your favour but enforcing the debt may be a whole other issue. Particularly if, as he alleges, he has no money.

Original poster

yogz1976 · 04/12/2022 16:27

dolor · 04/12/2022 16:19

Did your BIL take photos of his injury btw? It's always helpful to have those, especially taking one every day to showcase the healing time etc. That way you can figure out the proportionate claim for injury, if you seek legal advice.

He went to A&E and they gave him antibiotics. I will ask him to take photos.
He had open wounds and big bruise on his hands

OP posts:

KendrickLamaze · 04/12/2022 16:38

Oh no, I don't remember seeing about any previous attack. Oh the poor thing! I really hope he's ok physically and mentally! I can't understand why these owners allow their dog to do these things and don't feel awful. I really hope he does get punishment and pay! My friends chihuahua was recently attacked (not northants) and although he was badly injured, it's not affected his personality so I really hope yours is ok too! Hopefully he is at one of the better vets but it doesn't help it's out of hours. Costs an arm and a leg!

KendrickLamaze · 04/12/2022 16:39

My dog was fine physically but it's changed his personality towards other dogs in a bad way.

StrawberryPot · 04/12/2022 16:39

You need to have dog insurance. Not having it, is very irresponsible.

It's only irresponsible if you can't afford to pay vet bills. The owner has said she can. People who can afford to pay often decide to self-insure rather than pay hefty premiums. That does not make them irresponsible.

Dog insurance premiums can be astronomical and can increase massively with age. We haven't always taken out insurance for some of our dogs and cats but have been able and willing to stump up thousands on occasion. At one point Direct Line wanted about £250 pcm from us for our pet insurance.

We're also members of the Dogs Trust (for the princely sun of £25pa) and membership includes 3rd party liability insurance cover of up to £1m

The sting here is that the op may have to stump up for something that is someone else's fault. Which is of course very galling.

So sorry to hear what happened op. I hope your dog is okay.

dolor · 04/12/2022 16:41

yogz1976 · 04/12/2022 16:27

He went to A&E and they gave him antibiotics. I will ask him to take photos.
He had open wounds and big bruise on his hands

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Clear daily photos of his injuries from several angles. The more the better.

I hope both your woofer and BIL are going to be okay.

dolor · 04/12/2022 16:45

StrawberryPot · 04/12/2022 16:39

You need to have dog insurance. Not having it, is very irresponsible.

It's only irresponsible if you can't afford to pay vet bills. The owner has said she can. People who can afford to pay often decide to self-insure rather than pay hefty premiums. That does not make them irresponsible.

Dog insurance premiums can be astronomical and can increase massively with age. We haven't always taken out insurance for some of our dogs and cats but have been able and willing to stump up thousands on occasion. At one point Direct Line wanted about £250 pcm from us for our pet insurance.

We're also members of the Dogs Trust (for the princely sun of £25pa) and membership includes 3rd party liability insurance cover of up to £1m

The sting here is that the op may have to stump up for something that is someone else's fault. Which is of course very galling.

So sorry to hear what happened op. I hope your dog is okay.

My insurance is with ManyPets, and whilst it's not cheap and I am by no means rich, what I get for the money I pay, is extremely valuable. One of the big perks is that I can access FirstVet which is an online vet consultation included in the monthly cost. Whilst that's not great for things that need immediate medical intervention such as this awful situation, I can ask about dietary stuff, get advice about supplements and possible needs for medication for joints and bones etc, the sort of things you could do a telehealth appointment for yourself if you needed advice that didn't need to be in person.

Sorry if that was jumbled, I have discobrain today.

There's more than that too, but off the top of my head that inclusive vet access is worth its weight in gold.

TiptoeThroughTheToadstools · 04/12/2022 16:46

Call the police, definitely. Do you have pet insurance?

CarefreeMe · 04/12/2022 16:48

I’m wondering if he can claim off his own insurance. I guess it doesn’t really work like that.

I would speak to him and the vets and ask them to put the bill in his name and so he can pay it off bit by bit.

If they need the payment in full then you’ll have to pay it and get the money off him bit by bit or take it to a small claims court.

If it’s through the small claims court it will still be bit by bit but at least you’ll get it eventually.

How scary for your dog and BIL!

BT11 · 04/12/2022 16:53

CarefreeMe · 04/12/2022 16:48

I’m wondering if he can claim off his own insurance. I guess it doesn’t really work like that.

I would speak to him and the vets and ask them to put the bill in his name and so he can pay it off bit by bit.

If they need the payment in full then you’ll have to pay it and get the money off him bit by bit or take it to a small claims court.

If it’s through the small claims court it will still be bit by bit but at least you’ll get it eventually.

How scary for your dog and BIL!

I have third party on my pet insurance so if my dog were to attack another dog or run into the road and cause a car accident etc. I am covered.

Hopefully the owner of the dog that was responsible for the attack has this type of cover. Would make things much easier for OP 🤞🤞

GiltEdges · 04/12/2022 16:54

OP, I’m really not sure why you jumped down my throat after my previous post. At no point have I suggested that the other owner isn’t at fault. You were asking for advice about what you can do about what’s happened, and unfortunately the answer is not very much. Reporting to the police/dog warden or pursuing a claim through the courts is not going to result in the owner paying you any money if they have no money to give.

GiltEdges · 04/12/2022 16:55

BT11 · 04/12/2022 16:53

I have third party on my pet insurance so if my dog were to attack another dog or run into the road and cause a car accident etc. I am covered.

Hopefully the owner of the dog that was responsible for the attack has this type of cover. Would make things much easier for OP 🤞🤞

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Except it’s unlikely isn’t it. Just like OP, the owner is likely to have no pet insurance at all if they have no money.

CoffeeBoy · 04/12/2022 16:57

Bananarama21 · 04/12/2022 15:45

It's irresponsible to not have insurance for events like this. I paid 20 pounds a month with the coop covers over 10k.

Not necessarily. For all we know the OP could easily have 200k in the bank and be easily able to afford any vets bills. Insurance isn’t the only option.

CoffeeBoy · 04/12/2022 16:58

He may be covered by his house/home insurance. I think mine has some sort of public liability insurance which covers my dog attacking other dogs or causing an accident.

Sprig1 · 04/12/2022 17:03

Small claims. It is v easy. My dog (on lead) was bitten by an off lead dog. Similar sized vet bill. I won, he paid in full, plus my costs.

RewildingAmbridge · 04/12/2022 17:06

The only thing with insurance is that if you had it you would have legal cover to pursue this should he not have insurance. Saves a lot of time and effort. Having said that I regret having insurance for my cat the last few years, cost a fortune barely covered anything including costs associated with his death, not worth it at all.
As it stands, all you can do is find out if the owner is insured and if not pursue through small claims courts.
Police report may also lead to court action regarding the dog being muzzled on lead, being supervised by someone other the man who had no control over it or destruction.

Original poster

yogz1976 · 04/12/2022 17:16

Sprig1 · 04/12/2022 17:03

Small claims. It is v easy. My dog (on lead) was bitten by an off lead dog. Similar sized vet bill. I won, he paid in full, plus my costs.

Thankyou. What did you have to do to win the case ?

OP posts:

Prescottdanni123 · 04/12/2022 17:21

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon

It could have been an accidental bite when he went in to separate the dogs. That is why they say you should never pull two fighting dogs apart with your bare hands if you can help it. Although sometimes you have no choice.

This biting incident doesn't mean that he has moved on to biting humans at all.

oakleaffy · 04/12/2022 17:21

@yogz1976 Firstly, so sorry this happened to you.
There are some really nasty Flabradors about.
I witnessed a lovely dog being attacked byvan off lead “ Romanian Rescyoo” ( that was excuse given by the owner!)

The dog entered the park, and I noticed immediately that it had very aggressive body language
It tore into the side of a sweet natured dog I know of, who is very gentle.

We got Dog warden involved , and sadly the owner wouldn’t give her name
She said her dog ( A heavy type) was “ Playing “

I hope you have pet insurance!

I carry a heavy stick as defence -
If any aggressive dog comes near mine, I’m going full “polo mallet “ Tonto on it.

Sprig1 · 04/12/2022 17:26

yogz1976 · 04/12/2022 17:16

Thankyou. What did you have to do to win the case ?

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We each had to make statements of what happened. I also submitted photos and vet bills. The online process is easy to follow. It should be clear cut if yours was on lead and his was off (and he admits that). Do you have text messages where he admits that his dog was off lead and bit your dog?

iRun2eatCake · 04/12/2022 17:27

So sorry to read this OP. I'm from Northants too and there are loads of secure dog fields in the county for dogs who are not trained.... so that owner has no excuses.

I was at The Racecourse last week and a dog cockef his leg at my bag.. he soon scarpered when l shouted at him. The owner eventually caught him up and took him into the dog enclosure

BT11 · 04/12/2022 17:52

GiltEdges · 04/12/2022 16:55

Except it’s unlikely isn’t it. Just like OP, the owner is likely to have no pet insurance at all if they have no money.

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Maybe, maybe not! I would still ask them to double check if they have pet or home insurance.

A lot of people don't have £2000 cash lying around but he may be paying insurance (with any luck).

Gotta try and be optimistic for OP

Salome61 · 04/12/2022 18:07

So very sorry to read this, no advice, just to wish your little dog a speedy recovery.

Floralnomad · 04/12/2022 18:12

How is your little dog @yogz1976

RunningFromInsanity · 04/12/2022 18:19

When you report to police you need to focus on your BIL being bitten, they won’t care too much about your dog unfortunately.
Once the Police find out the owner name/address you can then take them to a small claims court for your vet costs.
You can also take civil action under the Dogs Act to order the dog to be muzzled/on lead etc, but you cannot get awarded vet costs through this legislation.