My dog attacked the neighbours cat

[SappyStaffyMum]

Hi! I'm a bit stuck here and wondering if someone could or advise if this is actually legal!

My dog attacked the neighbours cat, they rushed it to the vet and thankfully it was ok just had an injection, metacam and a few days on house rest..

Obviously I paid the bill as I felt awful! But today the police came as she has reported my dog as dangerous and the police said they had to attend because she said it's an xl bully (he's a staffy lab cross) and she needs the crime reference for the insurance claim?

If I've paid her for the vets bill can she still do an insurance claim?

I'm a bit upset about it as I'm 17 weeks pregnant and obviously I could do with the money rather than her profiting from this horrible situation especially after attempting to get my dog seized and destroyed… and now sending me abusive texts about how he’s had the taste of blood and will attack my baby…

I am not sure attacking a cat makes it a risk with a baby. I would be wary about it being around small furries including dogs and lambs though. It probably needs to be on a lead when you are out and about.

Your dog did what dogs have done since dogs and cats first appeared on this earth - just as the cat would have chased, grabbed and shaken (or worse) your pet hamster or guinea pig if it had got into their garden.

You’re very nice for paying the bill, but if she doesn’t want her cat attacked or run over or anything else that befalls animals who roam then as it’s owner she has to be responsible for its safety and cat proof her garden.

Ignore the idiots issuing dire warnings and telling you to have to dog taken away. I would keep it on a lead or in a separate room with a baby but that’s common sense with all dogs.

I think people responding need to remember the OP is pregnant, and suggesting that her dog will be a danger to her baby is pure unevidenced speculation that is like to leave her really upset when she's already feeling vulnerable.

My dog chased and grabbed a duck once, we were horrified but it wouldn't have crossed my mind for a minute to think this means he's a risk to a baby. Usual caveats as others have said that dogs shouldn't be left with babies. But it sounds as if it's the chase and desire to protect the home motivated the dog. You've done nothing wrong op and I'm sorry this thread has probably made you feel much worse

Why do people have cats with babies?
@friendlycat

I would have thought it's wrong to claim if you've already paid ?
Also my two dogs would chase down a cat in the garden but wouldn't let it go I'm sure ... terriers
They have never chased and mistaken my 13 year old as a cat or my year old gd
But like op won't be doing with her newborn , they aren't left alone with them either
Dogs can want to hunt small animals and not be savages to humans you know

She gave cash to the cat owner, not the vet. There is nothing to say it was to pay a bill. Or any evidence that OP ever gave it to her, unless she got a receipt, which seems unlikely. The vet has to complete a pet insurance claim.

All these saying your dog can't be around a newborn...... rubbish

My dog was due to be put down as he had 'bitten' but was taken to a rescue centre as the owenr admitted abuse prior to the bite.He is a jack russell. I have children. He has never very shown any aggression. He is the most loving dog. My dog chases cats, birds and the wind...... there is a big different between nasty dog and dog who chases cats.

It might go for a baby, it might not. Your choice OP as to whether to give it that chance.

Goodness me🤣 this is a bit far fetched! This is about a dog chasing a cat, which is v natural. The op sounds like a responsible dog owner and probably won’t let her toddler yank the dogs tail🙄 millions of dogs grow up with children. 99% are without issue as long as it’s monitored by a responsible adult. Dogs don’t usually chase babies and kill them. Millions of dogs absolutely accept children as a part of their pack.

You're an idiot if you let that dog anywhere near your baby. I hope that, for your child's sake, you will see sense.

I don't know the legalities of it but if you paid the money directly to her and not the vets then I guess she could make a claim too? That money could be for anything in the absence of a contract or something.

I really don't know and it's incredibly shitty of her to try to profit from a situation that is her fault. You did the right thing offering to pay because you felt guilty and I probably would have done the same. But you didn't have to and now she's taking advantage of your generosity.

If she's sending you abusive texts I would reply with something factual and to the point - once again it's very unfortunate that the cat was injured however as ddog was on our private property the police have informed me there is no legal issue. I will contact the vets to check that all monies has gone through correctly. Wishing dcat a swift recovery.

Leave it at that.

Really helpful calling her an idiot when she didn’t even come for this advice. Get a grip.

Your dog chased a cat that was in your garden.
This does not make your dog a bad dog or dangerous to humans.
My dogs are big divas who love their comforts, hate the rain and cold and love a treat and a cuddle but they would chase a cat or a small furry animal. One even caught a rat once!
They are not in any way dangerous to humans and are the best trained dogs.
People who let their cats roam are sadly putting them at risk of these things happening.

1. Definitely get rid of the dog It’s a crazed killer.
2. Don’t EVER let a cat near your baby. Cats kill birds and could easily maul your baby.
3. Keep the pram covered with galvanised wire at all times in case a bird attacks your baby. Birds kill worms and could easily fly into the pram and attack or steal your baby.

Tbh, the vet probably advised the owner to report your dog. Maybe for insurance purposes or perhaps its becoming more standard practice with all the focus on dog attacks. For instance, if a dog has attacked other cats/dogs on other occasions then it may be deemed as a dangerous dog that can't be controlled.

I think you did the right thing to pay the vet bill. Its paid and although it may be unfair that she os gaining from it, is the amount you paid worth trying to get it back if you had to do that cis a legal route. However, tell her that the police informed you that she needed the crime reference number to claim on her insurance, and if she carries on you will have to report her for fraud, and for harassment with the constant nasty messages.

Legally I can't say. But in terms of the insurance company if they knew they could investigate as fraud and potentially cancel her insurance policy.

I would try to speak to the vets, however if you haven't got permission they may not be able to tell you anything. But if you tell them what you suspect, they may be able to note it in their clinical records which the insurance company should see, or they may be able to notify them directly.

Hopefully as she has brought the police into this, they will inform her that it would be fraudulent to claim!

Did you send the payment via a bank transfer at all? As that could potentially show as proof that you've made a payment.

Even if you'd paid the vet directly, it could still be claimed for as that wouldn't necessarily show that it was you as the third party who paid them.

I'm not the one that needs to get a grip.

Anyone that lets an aggressive dog anywhere near a baby is an idiot.

You can laugh all you want, but dogs do attack people. I don't suppose any of the owners think that it will happen with their dogs.

I'm no dog hater, but an aggressive dog that has already attacked? No way would I be letting a dog like that near a child.

Yep. MN hysteria at its finest.

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves typical day for you?!

Brilliant!👏

It went for a cat - that’s common in dogs. Cats maul other animals all the time. It’s normal behaviour.

@StarDolphins, the sarcastic laughing emojis that you're putting on my posts are pretty inappropriate in a week when yet another young person has been killed by an aggressive dog.

It isn't funny.

I wouldn't have paid. See shouldn't have allowed her cat to wander. I don't see why this means it would be a danger to a baby

@grumpypedestrian "I’ve known staffies and they are soft, soppy dogs"

Sure they are. "Nanny dogs", right?

Common or not, I wouldn't have a dog near a baby that had attacked and injured a cat.