Dog bites question

[Kefo]

So my dog, a papillion/poodle mix(18lbs to give an idea), was attacked not long ago by our next door neighbours dog(a german shepard). Both the dogs were off leash and our dog did run into the neighbours front yard. My wife and I do accept we are partially to blame for not having him leashed.

My question that we are debating is do you think we have the right to ask our neighbour to pay for half the vet bills? We do live in London, Ontario so keep in mind dog laws may differ depending where you live. We recognize that the blame is to be shared and thats why we dont want the full bill paid.

Any advice on how to approach this with the neighbour or if we should ask for half? The bill came out to 300 since he needed stitches and antibiotics.

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

Does the law say they have to pay half? I'd go over with a copy of the vet's invoice and just tell them they were required to pay up.

Though if they seem like the type to make a fuss I'd say it's up to you to decide whether it's worth getting all Judge Judy over. My father has shot people's pets before which were being a menace, but that doesn't seem like an option which is open to you.

 

[Kefo]

well we just met the neighbour and the dog while out on a walk and it sounds like we wouldnt be getting anything unless we took them to court which isn't worth it. He did ask if our dog was alright but then made a comment "well thats strike three, maybe he will learn not to come on our yard now". He better hope we never see his dog off leash or animal control is being called, especially since there are small kids in the neighbourhood.

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

Yeh sounds like they'd be sticklers about it and I'd agree it's not worth taking to court. If this is the third time it's attacked your dog I would be worried about it being around children too, and would at least report these attacks to the dog warden just to get their take on it.

 

[Silverslith]

Sounds like he is being a dick with that whole "strike three" comment. I'd check out your local laws on it to see if there is liability/responsibility there. But, since you say that taking them to small claims isn't worth your time, then the point here is kind of moot, isn't it?

That said, it sounds like your dog has been over there before, hence his comment and lack of sympathy. If its an ongoing thing, then leash your dog. I know in Ottawa its the law, so I don't imagine its that different where you are. If my neighbor's dog kept coming into my yard and my dog finally bit him one day, I'd say he kind of earned it.

 

[Rylot]

That said, it sounds like your dog has been over there before, hence his comment and lack of sympathy. If its an ongoing thing, then leash your dog. I know in Ottawa its the law, so I don't imagine its that different where you are. If my neighbor's dog kept coming into my yard and my dog finally bit him one day, I'd say he kind of earned it.

I've got to agree with this. I hope your dog is okay and having a bunch of pet bills is never fun but from what you've said your dog entered their yard. I don't know much about laws regarding these things but if your dog had came into my yard and my dog bit it, I wouldn't be inclined to help pay.

 

[Smeggs]

I'm not certain from the story, was the other dog on a leash then? Because unless the front yard was fenced in and your dog somehow got over the fence...

If it was on a leash and it bit your dog then it's your own fault, sorry. I'd keep an eye on that shepard though, just to be safe.