Asking for Vet payment

As I was leaving the house yesterday for our walk with my two beagles, the neighbour's new staffy ran over and attacked our Milo. Luckily it isn't too bad...he has puncture wounds, and bruising and swelling. It took 3 workmen to get the dog off him-- it was awful. I took him to the vets and the bill including the antibiotics and anti-inflammatory came to £91. The owner was so upset when it happened and she kept apologising but she never offered to pay the vet bills- she did know we were going to the vet. I thought she might come over last night or this morning to see how he was and offer to pay after the shock wore off. I don't have a relationship with her other than a hello as we pass- don't even know her name. What would you do?

Oh no!  I hope your doggy is ok.

No real advice as I hate confrontation and would probably not raise it (because I'm a wuss).  But if it was my dog that had attacked, I would insist on paying.  I hope she does the right thing and you don't have to raise it.

Hopefully someone comes along soon with a good way to approach the situation.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that about your dog! I'm glad he's going to be okay. Our whippet puppy is named Mylo as well.

I just talked to my British half and he told me that what the dog owner did is against the law. Here is a link to the government website about leash laws:
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview

If you don't want to click through:

Overview
It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, eg:
 -in a public place
 -in a private place (eg a neighbour’s house or garden)
 -in the owner’s home
The law applies to all dogs.

Some types of dogs are banned. ** my addition: this include the Bully breeds

Out of control
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:
 -injures someone
 -makes someone worried that it might injure them
A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if:
 -it injures someone’s animal
 -the owner of the animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal

I would definitely talk to the neighbor about your how your dog is doing, feel her out. My husband said if he was you he'd make her feel a uncomfortable, bringing up the above law. The fact that it took 3 workmen to get the dog off yours... It's definitely not a good thing.

You could take them to small claims court, it just depends on how you feel about possibly ruining your relationship with your neighbor.

Thanks, I really don't want confrontation- I am truly surprised she hasn't checked to see how he is but she is probably worried about finding out. He is doing okay-- just a bit sore and quiet now, thank god - we are just so happy it wasn't worse. I just can't imagine not offering to pay if the tables were turned, and believe me we don't have extra money but I would have to find a way!

It is so easy to sit here and give advice, so here it is - you should ask for reimbursement for your vet bills (there may still be some follow up care needed for your poor Milo) and, if that doesn't do the trick, you should ramp up the pressure all the way to small claims court if necessary. 

The reality is, like you I hate confrontation and living with a hostile neighbor is absolutely no fun - even though she is clearly in the wrong here.  So, what I would really do in this situation is something less direct.  For example, under the guise of keeping her informed and letting her know how my dog is doing, I would say something to the effect, "it's just amazing how expensive vet bills are these days, can you believe I was charged 91 pounds!" (US keyboard, no pound symbol), then simply look at her for a little bit longer than comfortable before taking my leave.  Nope, it isn't what I should do, but it's probably what I would do.   

If that didn't work I'd probably stew about it for awhile, complain to my OH until he couldn't take it anymore then, eventually,  I'd be able to let it go....

...although that neighbor would probably get a dirty look - or what in my family is called "stink eye" - from me every time I saw her in the future.   

But that's just me.... 

It is so easy to sit here and give advice, so here it is - you should ask for reimbursement for your vet bills (there may still be some follow up care needed for your poor Milo) and, if that doesn't do the trick, you should ramp up the pressure all the way to small claims court if necessary. 

The reality is, like you I hate confrontation and living with a hostile neighbor is absolutely no fun - even though she is clearly in the wrong here.  So, what I would really do in this situation is something less direct.  For example, under the guise of keeping her informed and letting her know how my dog is doing, I would say something to the effect, "it's just amazing how expensive vet bills are these days, can you believe I was charged 91 pounds!" (US keyboard, no pound symbol), then simply look at her for a little bit longer than comfortable before taking my leave.  Nope, it isn't what I should do, but it's probably what I would do.   

If that didn't work I'd probably stew about it for awhile, complain to my OH until he couldn't take it anymore then, eventually,  I'd be able to let it go....

...although that neighbor would probably get a dirty look - or what in my family is called "stink eye" - from me every time I saw her in the future.   

But that's just me.... 

That is very close to what I was just about to say!

I would also ask what her plans were to keep her dog more under control. There is nothing worse then worrying for the safety of your pet. I don't even like having loose dogs that look friendly rushing my dog.

If she wasn't going to do anything, then I'd probably report the incident. Not press charges or anything, just to make sure that there was a record of it in case something else happened. Which is often the case with animals that have bitten before.

And I completely agree about vet bills, at least saying "please let me know what the outcome is" and figuring out how to pay all or part of them depending on what happened.

I also agree that the neighbor should be approached in the nicest possible way, and invited to take care of the vet bills. If there is no response, then ABSOLUTELY report this dog to the police.

She was out of order, and "sorry, sorry, sorry" at the time doesn't cut it. What about the next time? What if it's someone's small child?

I also hate confrontation, but sometimes it's just necessary. Hope your poor little beagle completely recovers.

side note: @becca.....to type the £ sign using a US keyboard, hold the "alt" key and then type "0163" - and you have £ (been doing this a LONG time....)

What about the next time? What if it's someone's small child?

Perhaps you have a moral duty to report the dog? I don't know...

Regarding the bill, make a copy of the receipt and post it to the neighbour with PAYMENT EXPECTED BY: and a date written on it.

I also agree that the neighbor should be approached in the nicest possible way, and invited to take care of the vet bills. If there is no response, then ABSOLUTELY report this dog to the police.

What does payment of the bill have to do with informing the police? Surely you either do or don't call the police regardless of whether the person pays the vet bill.

side note: @becca.....to type the £ sign using a US keyboard, hold the "alt" key and then type "0163" - and you have £ (been doing this a LONG time....)

Thank you!  I'll have to get that one memorized since I will be needing it in the future. 

I like your approach sonofasailor, direct and to the point with no room for misinterpretation. 

I followed Lyonaria and asked my UKC hubby.  He recommended talking to the CAB if wanting some advice.  We both agree about reporting the dog, it just needs to be done in case of a second incident.

I definitely like SoS's approach.

Is Milo doing better today?  Did the neighbor get in touch?