Dog attacked; owners now refusing to pay vet bills
Discussion
Good morning!
I find myself in the unenviable (but arguably inevitable in life) position of needing to find an appropriate legal specialist. A few weeks ago now our dog was attacked when a dog escaped a house and as a result suffered not insignificant injuries, narrowly avoiding a bone infection but getting a fractured fibula and four puncture wounds around 2.5cm in size. My partner (and another member of the public) also sustained minor injuries which are still a not insignificant inconvenience. The owners of the dog that escaped paid the original bill but are now refusing to pay for any further bills incurred through his ongoing care requirements on the grounds of "we thought you would be paying".
Who have people used in the past to pursue claims following out of control dogs? Who would recommend? We're in East Midlands, should geography make a significant difference in recommendations.
I find myself in the unenviable (but arguably inevitable in life) position of needing to find an appropriate legal specialist. A few weeks ago now our dog was attacked when a dog escaped a house and as a result suffered not insignificant injuries, narrowly avoiding a bone infection but getting a fractured fibula and four puncture wounds around 2.5cm in size. My partner (and another member of the public) also sustained minor injuries which are still a not insignificant inconvenience. The owners of the dog that escaped paid the original bill but are now refusing to pay for any further bills incurred through his ongoing care requirements on the grounds of "we thought you would be paying".
Who have people used in the past to pursue claims following out of control dogs? Who would recommend? We're in East Midlands, should geography make a significant difference in recommendations.
Police are dealing with as there was injury to person. Not convinced they're up to much. They have suggested that my next course of action be a legal one, not that that required any encouragement after "we thought you would pay". So, back to first question; does anyone have experience of a solicitor they would recommend?
EU_Foreigner said:
On a similar issue I had, the Police stated that "dog on dog" is not actually an offence for some strange reason.
Stopped a legal persuit dead.
Why? Someone doesn't have to commit an offence to be negligent and liable for damages.Stopped a legal persuit dead.
OP, I think this seems very straightforward, although I'm no lawyer, as they've paid the first bill, and hence basically admitted liability. If your outstanding bills are under £10K, and sent them a letter giving them 7 days to pay the rest, telling them that if they don't settle, you'll issue a small claims court summons. And then do just that, online. It's very easy.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
OP, I think this seems very straightforward, although I'm no lawyer, as they've paid the first bill, and hence basically admitted liability. If your outstanding bills are under £10K, and sent them a letter giving them 7 days to pay the rest, telling them that if they don't settle, you'll issue a small claims court summons. And then do just that, online. It's very easy.
The issue is now with them having effectively declared the damage their dog did "my problem" I'm disinclined to continue to tolerate the significant imposition this has had on our lives as just something that needs to be paid for; there's the pain my partner is currently enduring, the ongoing costs and implications of effectively an invalid dog and the member of public that had to attend hospital with his injuries who similarly was just of the view that "at least the dog is being cared for". That deal appears to have been voided.Pegscratch said:
The issue is now with them having effectively declared the damage their dog did "my problem" I'm disinclined to continue to tolerate the significant imposition this has had on our lives as just something that needs to be paid for; there's the pain my partner is currently enduring, the ongoing costs and implications of effectively an invalid dog and the member of public that had to attend hospital with his injuries who similarly was just of the view that "at least the dog is being cared for". That deal appears to have been voided.
What are you seeking from them? Up above it looked like vet's bills paid.BertBert said:
Pegscratch said:
The issue is now with them having effectively declared the damage their dog did "my problem" I'm disinclined to continue to tolerate the significant imposition this has had on our lives as just something that needs to be paid for; there's the pain my partner is currently enduring, the ongoing costs and implications of effectively an invalid dog and the member of public that had to attend hospital with his injuries who similarly was just of the view that "at least the dog is being cared for". That deal appears to have been voided.
What are you seeking from them? Up above it looked like vet's bills paid.Op I feel your pain, many years ago my cat was chased by a dog that the owner deliberately allowed off the lead to chase the cat. He got away but had damage to his paws and claws, my neighbour saw it happen and then the family walking off up the road laughing, f
kers. I had a vet bill that the dog owners refused to pay as it was only a "cat". I was fuming. Cant put what happened but the dish was very cold when I served it. Maybe go through your home insurance.. good luck.
kers. I had a vet bill that the dog owners refused to pay as it was only a "cat". I was fuming. Cant put what happened but the dish was very cold when I served it. Maybe go through your home insurance.. good luck.This is the only legal firm I am aware of who specialise in dog-related issues:
https://www.doglaw.co.uk/
I have not used them, so cannot speak from personal experience.
https://www.doglaw.co.uk/
I have not used them, so cannot speak from personal experience.
Antony Moxey said:
BertBert said:
Pegscratch said:
The issue is now with them having effectively declared the damage their dog did "my problem" I'm disinclined to continue to tolerate the significant imposition this has had on our lives as just something that needs to be paid for; there's the pain my partner is currently enduring, the ongoing costs and implications of effectively an invalid dog and the member of public that had to attend hospital with his injuries who similarly was just of the view that "at least the dog is being cared for". That deal appears to have been voided.
What are you seeking from them? Up above it looked like vet's bills paid.Antony Moxey said:
BertBert said:
Pegscratch said:
The issue is now with them having effectively declared the damage their dog did "my problem" I'm disinclined to continue to tolerate the significant imposition this has had on our lives as just something that needs to be paid for; there's the pain my partner is currently enduring, the ongoing costs and implications of effectively an invalid dog and the member of public that had to attend hospital with his injuries who similarly was just of the view that "at least the dog is being cared for". That deal appears to have been voided.
What are you seeking from them? Up above it looked like vet's bills paid.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff