To help pay vets bill?

[Absolutely45]

Hi

I help look after a dog, i take to my place, walk and exercise him, i don't charge and have him regularly.

About 2 years ago, i had a rat problem and poison was put down, that was sorted and i thought i removed all poison, however the dog got into an out building that is normally locked/unused and ate some poison, i had no idea there was still poison in the shed.

I contacted the owner and immediately took the dog to the vets, vet treated and no effects whatsoever, the bill is around £400 and though the owner has insurance, the excess is quite a bit.

I ve offered to pay this as i feel awful and take 100% responsibility but they ve refused and have said its not my fault (but i still feel it is)

what should i do? i have considered not having the dog again and i still may do that but that would mean the owner would be stuffed & cost them even more money - they still want me to have her and treat the incident as a bit of joke, at least to my face.

& pls don't lay into me, i couldn't feel worse for has happened.

I would treat this as one of those things that shouldn't have happened that did, no harm was done thankfully. The people you are minding the dog for are saving more than that amount of money in dog minding fees, although it was kind of you to offer. If your happy to carry on minding the dog and they obviously still trust you, then I would continue.

If you’ve offered to pay and they’ve declined then I think you’ve done all you can

They still want you to have their dog, they trust you, I think you should carry on. Sometimes stuff just happens.

It was an accident & you got the dog vet treatment ASAP so it turn out worse. I'm sure you will have also checked there's not any poison lurking elsewhere now your aware it wasn't all removed.

I think the owner has made right decision given your not being paid to provide dog boarding, as professional services would have liability insurance to cover any accidents in their care. £400 wouldn't go very far on doggy daycare.

Could ring an check if Dogs Trust membership would provide you with 3rd party liability for regularly walking your friend's dog or if only for dogs owners. In case an incident happens in your care as dangerous dogs act it's the handler at the time that's deemed responsible which if not owner the pet insurance may or may not cover, if have legal cover with home insurance that may already cover you.

Thankyou all, very kind words, i treat the dog as my own and its effected me a great deal, the dog is very keen for me to continue!! we get on very well.

Yes the owner say that had they been paying for day (and sometimes overnight) care, it would have cost them far more and could have happened or similar in any case.

@ScattyHattie Thats a great idea.