Dogs got into a fight - now we're being sued!

[Scootergrrrl]

Recently my dog, an old collie cross, got into a bit of a scrap with a smaller dog. Both dogs were off their leads.
We've just received a letter from the other dogs insurers who are now claiming the cost of vets treatment for the other dog running to almost a thousand pounds!
While I accept my dog was in the wrong, both dogs were off their leads and the fight wouldn't have happened if the other dog had been leashed - it was jumping around my older dog and my dog kind of rolled him before I got hold of him. The dogs have played together before so I didn't think it would be a problem for them to run around together.
Any advice? Are we liable for this bill?

Thank you. I don't think they meant to stitch us up - strikes me that they maybe haven't had a dog before, saw the scuffle, saw their dog begin to limp later and put two and two together to make five.

The law on dog on dog attacks is erm
Shit
They are trying it on
If you feel responsible and morally culpable then contribute
But legally nope

As for being worried about bad neighbourly feeling, all you have to say is you are are leaving it to the insurers to sort out. But make clear to the insurers that you are not accepting liability given the nature of the injury and dogs off lead etc. Sounds anyway like a speculative punt by Petplan.

what happened in the end?

any more news on this?

Sorry for not updating - everything went to our insurers and we haven't heard anything since. They said it could take months. Will let you know when we hear!