dog attack/legal advice please

[crackthatoff]

A couple of weeks ago whilst walking our young dog a whippet decided to attack it, the woman ran towards us offering us tissue for the wound (A whippet attacking attacking a staffordshire must have been brave) . After having a look the bite, had pierced areas around the face so we took her to the vets which kept her in overnight and had several stiches. We were going to show her as fun but obviously scarred will not be happening, but here is where the problem lies....... The vets bill came to £140 ! we dont want compensation or anything like that but some money towords the vets bill would not go amiss.
Went round to the owners house and asked politely, only to be told to bugger off.
The dog warden has been informed and apparently the owner has no insurance and it is the dogs first offence so its back to us.
Do we have any rights whatsoever? like I said We are not after any compo, Just some money towards the vets bills,
Any advice would be more than welcome.

cheers chaps and chapesses !

[Soovy]

Unlikely to get anywhere.

[crackthatoff]

he has a range rover dont suppose you know how much a couple of new tyres are? lol

[Mattt]

crackthatoff said:

he has a range rover dont suppose you know how much a couple of new tyres are? lol

[Soovy]

Look it's a neighbour

If you have a dispute over this then you have to declare it when you try to sell your house.


140 quid is CHEAP.

[Jasandjules]

Have you informed the police? It's an offence to have a dog out of control in a public place... (Dangerous Dogs Act). It is often worth asking around the local area to find out if anyone else had had their dog attacked by this mutt as well.

I am not 100% sure if you'd have a cause of action in negligence - a dog owner is responsible for the actions of their dog, and you have suffered a loss as a result - the vet bills. So I think you could possibly make a claim for it.

[mickk]

If you had been bitten it would have been a differant outcome but as no human was hurt you will have to rely on the whippet owners stumping up the cash....Good luck with that.

[crackthatoff]

Soovy said:

Look it's a neighbour

If you have a dispute over this then you have to declare it when you try to sell your house.


140 quid is CHEAP.

No its not a neighbour i just so happen to know where they live, even if they said they were skint and offered £20 that would show willing at least! the way I see it someone has damaged my property.

[GKP]

We've got a dog. Sometimes she gets into rough and tumble with other dogs, she was once attacked by a small staffy which was wearing a muzzle - it's what they do, they're dogs.

Look after your mutley while he's got stitches, but move on.

[Jasandjules]

GKP said:

We've got a dog. Sometimes she gets into rough and tumble with other dogs, she was once attacked by a small staffy which was wearing a muzzle - it's what they do, they're dogs.

Look after your mutley while he's got stitches, but move on.

If you are attacked by a dog with a muzzle then it can't do much damage - so to me the Staffy owner has taken the right steps if they accept that their dog might be aggressive by putting a muzzle on it in public.

If you dog is off lead then it should be dog friendly, it's as simple as that. If you dog is on-lead then other owners should check before allowing their friendly dog to come and say hello.

[bn9af]

Have you tried citizens advice bureau?

[Stedman]

£140 you're lucky Our lab was attacked on his second walk out resulting in a £400+ bill.

Sorry i can't help with the legal advice, but all the best for your 4 legged fiend

Edited by Stedman on Saturday 1st May 20:23

[crackthatoff]

cheers people, I get the general opinion, pretty much just as I thought. ! tts ! lol it's a new day tomorrow I'll get on with it !

[NDA]

Why not write to them with a copy of the vet's bill? Your letter could then be used as evidence were you to go to the Small Claims Court to pursue this.

The letter should be quite reasonable, mentioning that their dog was loose and out of control, the damage to your dog, the expense and also detailing the meeting with them where they told you to bugger off.

Assuming they do nothing, Small Claims Court.

[PHmember]

Can you get a refund for a staffy that got it's ar$e kicked by a whippet?

[moleamol]

crackthatoff said:

the way I see it someone has damaged my property.

What a lovely way to look at your pet.

[carreauchompeur]

PHmember said:

Can you get a refund for a staffy that got it's ar$e kicked by a whippet?

Quite. Chop it in for a proper dag.

[crackthatoff]

moleamol said:

crackthatoff said:

the way I see it someone has damaged my property.

What a lovely way to look at your pet.

don't be silly ! she's amasing, part of the family ! you always get one don't you !

[crackthatoff]

carreauchompeur said:

PHmember said:

Can you get a refund for a staffy that got it's ar$e kicked by a whippet?

Quite. Chop it in for a proper dag.

staffordshire, I'd trust one over any dog any day, it's a shame it's the chavs chosen dog but in the right hands they are excellent, trustworthy loyal companions !

[eldar]

crackthatoff said:

moleamol said:

crackthatoff said:

the way I see it someone has damaged my property.

What a lovely way to look at your pet.

don't be silly ! she's amasing, part of the family ! you always get one don't you !

In legal terms, which the OP was asking about, a dog isn't 'part of the family', though if family terms it may be.

Thus 'my property' is correct. Which is more than you can say for a cat!