Dog in a car accident - looking for advice

~Chameleon~

Dobiesmon wrote: »

But to leave the dog over night with out a vet checking it out is bad how can you say that you are dog loves the dog from the car hitting it could have died .

I think that's possibly a little harsh on the OP in the circumstances. I'm sure she did everything she could and did actually call a vet for advice so it's not as though she didn't try, but when the owners can't even be bothered to get off their a r s e and come over to deal with the situation themselves, what is she supposed to do?

She's caught between a rock and a hard place with this one

Samantha1985_2

I dont want to turn this into an aunt bashing, they are not benefit fraunds. I think your getting the wrong end of the stick here too, when I say holiday.. they go down to Mother-in-Law's who lives on the coast and stay there visit the beach etc and not usually long holidays normally a few days to a week but MIL is allergic to the hairs.

I just wanted to know where I stand legally - I would ofc pay something.. but I feel from what I have read elsewhere I am liable for the whole lot (but everything I have found is reference to your own dog causing the accident).

carroger

there is a little piece of law that should be brought to attention that is the law says that you should be in control of your animals at all times ..which for instance if the dog got out and then bit some one you would probably get criminal charges ... being the owner of three dogs ( two of which are huskies notorious for escaping) I have had no end of problems and now have a garden like fortknox because of escaping dogs I would have being the driver put it down to accident ie these things happen ..... but logically the dogs should be under your control as you were responsible for them

Viper_7

carroger wrote: »

there is a little piece of law that should be brought to attention that is the law says that you should be in control of your animals at all times ..which for instance if the dog got out and then bit some one you would probably get criminal charges ... being the owner of three dogs ( two of which are huskies notorious for escaping) I have had no end of problems and now have a garden like fortknox because of escaping dogs I would have being the driver put it down to accident ie these things happen ..... but logically the dogs should be under your control as you were responsible for them

I was just going to say the same until I saw this last post.
Yourself as the guardian of these dogs did not have them under control.
The car driver if they know about this may go to town on it. If they go through their insurers to avoid dealing with you direct/legal advice etc then the insurers may go to town on it.
Also, isn't the car driver obliged to report the incident when it's a dog involved?
so the police may also be aware.
As your not being paid for this service and not a trained handler you should have no comeback from the animals owners.

vipes

Sammy_Girl

Hi Samantha,

Gosh, what an awful situation. I really feel for you. I'm afraid I don't have any expert advice, but as an outsider I would say that you are legally responsible as the dogs were under your charge. However, your Aunt is morally responsible as you were simply looking after her dogs so that she could take a break. All I would suggest that you do is to collate the quotes for the car repair and pass them on to your Aunt for payment. Maybe she has some legal protection with her home insurance? At the end of the day the car battle will be between the car owner and your Aunt, you should try and keep out of it. Easier said than done I know .

Now to the most important bit...the dog. How is he? have you had any updates from the vet? Unfortunately this is another case for the pros of pet insurance. For the sake of £11 a month, I would never be without it. If the cost of the vets is an issue is there a Blue Cross hospital near you? As far as I'm aware these exist to assist people on benefits with the cost of vet treatment. The dog needs proper veterinary attention as I know you know. We are a nation of dog lovers and to see a poorly dog breaks my heart.

I hope the dog is ok. Please keep us updated.

S x

Samantha1985_2

Sammy_Girl wrote: »

Hi Samantha,

Gosh, what an awful situation. I really feel for you. I'm afraid I don't have any expert advice, but as an outsider I would say that you are legally responsible as the dogs were under your charge. However, your Aunt is morally responsible as you were simply looking after her dogs so that she could take a break. All I would suggest that you do is to collate the quotes for the car repair and pass them on to your Aunt for payment. Maybe she has some legal protection with her home insurance? At the end of the day the car battle will be between the car owner and your Aunt, you should try and keep out of it. Easier said than done I know .

Now to the most important bit...the dog. How is he? have you had any updates from the vet? Unfortunately this is another case for the pros of pet insurance. For the sake of £11 a month, I would never be without it. If the cost of the vets is an issue is there a Blue Cross hospital near you? As far as I'm aware these exist to assist people on benefits with the cost of vet treatment. The dog needs proper veterinary attention as I know you know. We are a nation of dog lovers and to see a poorly dog breaks my heart.

I hope the dog is ok. Please keep us updated.

S x

Sammy,

I have asked my aunt to keep me posted, she came over this morning to take her to the vets as I left for work. As of yet I have heard nothing and there is no answer on the phone.

Thanks for your support and understanding - I will of course keep you updated.

Sam

Sammy_Girl

Hi Sam,
Hopefully no news is good news. It certainly sounds like he's had a nasty shock so maybe he'll think twice before legging it!! I wish him all the best.
Sam

bestpud

I can imagine your horror with all this unfolding!

I agree that you are responsible as you were in charge of the dogs, but you are doing you aunt a favour (and a regular one at that) and if she wanted to be sure such things were covered, she really should fork out for kennel fees as far as I am concerned.

My dog goes to family if we are away and it would not occur to me to do anything but pay the vet and car bill. Also, I'd have been there instantly to get him seen by a vet, or if away, I'd have said to get him seen asap and I will pay the bill when I return.

Likewise, I look after my parents dog when they are away and, while this hasn't been tested thankfully, I cannot imagine for one minute they would not just pay up!

But, if your aunt refuses then I think you maybe need to say no next time, and/or refuse to have the dog this time too. Apart form anything else, if she refuses to pay the vet bill, what happens if the dog has a relapse, or knocks it, while she is away? It's not like she can't cancel if it is just a trip to relatives, so if she refuses to pay just say no, you feel unable to take that responsibility.

That's what I would do anyway, although I can see it is a difficult situation.

Good luck with it.

greenmoneysaver_2

Horrid situation, I feel for you, as you have done all this in good faith, not to end up in this situation.

I would not look after these dogs, or any others until you can sort with the owners payment/responsibility stuff, not even for this coming holiday - she needs to take responsibility for her pets. I am disgusted she advised you not to take to the vets, and I fear this was due to money worries rather than a confidence in diagnosing problems.

Both you and your aunt are in breach on Control of Dogs Act 1930 and Animal Welfare Act, by not having them under control and then not seeking vet advice.

NEVER leave an RTA animal - internal bleeding will kill it quicker than you can spot the symptoms and get it to a vets.

I hope for you the car and dog are fine and if not your Aunt will cover it, but, and I'm not being mean here she has taken the p*ss with you already and so have to presume this will continue... be prepared!

Errata

Dreadful situation for anyone to find themselves in. The only thing I would add is that if the dog only has a damaged tail and a few cuts and bruises to its legs I find it hard to believe that the car was so damaged it wouldn't start.