Dog bite, who should pay for treatment

[vjg13]

My dog was bitten by an out of control dog. My dog was next to me on his lead and the other was off lead. I had a near miss with the same dog 3 weeks ago and explained to the dog walker at that time as I was nearly bitten as well on the first occasion.

I managed to get the dog away by spraying a compressed air 'dog corrector' at it. I bought this after the first near miss and it worked.

Reported to dog warden and police. Who is legally liable for my vet bill? The owner or the friend of the owner who was walking it? I don't care which one pays but would like to know. They both have a copy of the bill.

My guess would be the owner?
After all its her or his dog and therefor their responsability, never mind that they let a friend walk the dog.

Were there any witnesses during one of the incidents?
Wishing your dog a fast recovery and good luck to you getting back the money for the bill

The owner should have third party insurance for the dog. That should pay it, no matter who was walking, shouldn't it?

I believe the other owner is liable, your dog was on a lead & therefore deemed under control whereas the other dog was not.

The owner. If they want to claim it back from their friend, that is between them and their friend.

The owner would be liable for the bill and should have 3rd party insurance. The walker is legally responsible for having a dog dangerously out of control and potentially subject to prosecution

Thanks everyone.

A third party (not there or involved) has just been round to pay the bill, I think she was acting on behalf of the owner as she had her invoice. No verbal communication just had the money thrust at me! No concern for me, my dog or apology from any of the involved parties!

At least you received payment.
Some would not accept responsibility and would deny it if reported.

The owner did initially deny all responsibility, I think the bill might actually have been paid by the woman who brought it round who was at the owner's house this morning.

Just to update, my local dog warden has dealt with this really well. The dog will no longer be walked by the neighbour who did not keep it controlled. It is to be kept on a non extending lead and walked 1-1 by a professional dog walker. He spoke to the owner in her home.

I just want to encourage other people to report dangerously out of control dogs to the Police and dog warden. Even if you do not know the owner's details, you can add these at a later time, but do get the incident logged.