Dog in fight, bills etc

pug_in_a_bed

personally I would put in writing details of the incident as you have here, date and time, including the threat to 'boot you'.

I would then state that you would pay half the bill but will require the vets contact details and will only pay once the vet has presented a bill.

I would send this recorded. Might as well cover yourself.

From this couples reactions, I would say they could be troublesome.

My aunts dog is an irish wolf hound. Very playful and gentle, but she was playing with a jack and basically slipped and knocked the little fella out!
Dog got a nasty cut and went to the vet, she paid half the costs and the owner accepted this. I dont think they can ask for the whole ammount; all dogs were off the lead and they're dogs after all - sometimes these things happen.

orlao

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

Is the OP's breed of dog covered by the dangerous dogs act?

If it went to small claims, the owners of the westies would have to convince people that the OP had done an unreasonable thing in letting his/her dog off the lead.

Judging by resonses here, that would be hard to do.

I agree with nearly all of above but (slightly OT but often forgotten!)
ALL dogs are covered by the DDA, it's just that 4 breeds have special restrictions placed on them. TBH, if the Act had been successful, there wouldn't have be any examples of those 4 breeds still living here....

hethmar

One thing, if you do write to them - put the words "Without Prejudice" at the top of the letter. That means, if it does go to court, then paying any money will not be taken as an indication of your acceptance of liability - in fact put that in any letter - that you are offering half vet fees as a gesture of goodwill whilst not accepting any liability.

Actually, speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau about all this too.

catlou

Ive only properly read your first post and just scanned the rest of the thread so sorry if I'm off the mark......:o

But I'm inclined to be suspicious!! :eek:

Have you seen their dog's "injuries"? If not then I would either ask to see it or for photos......in case they can see you are a decent person (which it doesn't sound like they are ) and are trying to con some money from you?

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Ok, i am one that thinks dogs should just be kept on leads unless there is no-one or no other dogs about. Mine have had scuffles while on leads with dogs who come over and bother them - the owners can never control their dogs and i can never understand why they let them off in the first place. The safest way to avoid the situation you have had is in future keep them on lead, that way if anything happens, YOUR dog was leashed therefor the other owner is at fault in 99% of cases.

As it's happened already i'd suggest asking to contact the vet and agree that you'll pay for a checkup, the vet (made fully aware beforehand) can then contact YOU with an outcome of if any damage was done, and ensure that this is from the scuffle and not something pre-exhisting (vet should tell you easily if it's a bite or not) and then talk about paying costs once you know better. Chances are you'll find out it wasn't and the owners are just being nasty and trying to make a quick penny off of you. Truth is scuffles happen, sounds like you dealt with it well so far... Good luck!

Can i ask, did these other dogs come over to your dog or vice versa? If they came over to yours their owner should have been more in control IMO!

As i said before though, my dogs are let off lead only when there are no other dogs in sight. I don't mind them greeting on lead as they are friendly, but i always ask other owners to remove their dogs as one of mine (not the westie might i add) gets too excited which sometime causes an aggressive reaction in the other dog and i don't see why i should have to deal with another dog being uncontrollable when i have done the right thing by leashing mine.

I had a row with a lady with a big rottie x (breed doesn't bother me, just giving an idea of size) just the other day as she let her dog run way off and approach us and i was asking or rather shouting please call your dog back and she ignored us completely...it didn't start anything as we led ours straight over beach wall but there were hints something could kick off, we had our two, who yes if one got in a fight the other (extremely placid one) would prob join and our 3yr old daughter with us who doesn't like big dogs (i mean most are bigger than her).

Mine where on leads but god knows what would have happened if something kicked off - i swear i would have booted the dog so damn hard in the chest to get rid of it and away from my daughter and dogs if she didn't interviene fast enough. What would happen then, would i be done for animal cruelty?

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Sorry i just read that back and it was pretty heated - i blame my pregnancy hormones, lol - no but it really is one of my biggest gripes when it comes to dog walking.

But it does sound as though you have done everything right so far which is nice to know - good luck however you chose to go ahead! Does sound to me from the abusive language you received and the threat of a boot in your face that the owner is trying to bully you into handing over some money. As i said before it'd be worth going down the route of the vet check up and take it from there - make sure YOU speak to the vet and then if it does turn out your dog caused damage (sounds unlikely) then if i were you i'd pay up for treatment. If not, don't pay a penny more!

Good luck!

currynchips

Have not heard back from owners yet, but thanks for all the advice.
I gave details because I was shocked, apologetic, scared, and thought that it was the decent/right thing to do.
To answer a couple of queries, all dogs were off the lead, neither of us owners saw each other soon enough, dogs approached each 50-50, my dog did get her mouth clamped on the other dog - more than just a nip.

I think, I hope, from what I've heard here and elsewhere, that I don't actually owe them anything, and I should only give anything as a goodwill gesture - following receipt of vets bill.

UKTigerlily

I don't think all dogs should be on leads, as with anything only responsible owners would comply. I'd prefer all owners who let their dogs off to have trained them & to only do so if their dog is under control, which is already covered under the DDA.

hethmar

Its a tough one isnt it - on one hand I can see the point of all dogs being on leads, on the other - well, they are made to run and mix with other dogs arent they.