Real-life MMD:Dogs destroyed neighbour's signed ball. Should we replace it?

anggrrr

The dogs are obviously City fans. If I was your neighbour I wouldn't be asking you to replace it, I'd be making the kid write a begging letter to the club to explain he was an idiot and his Dad was now furious.

JayD

As many others say - this was not your fault. It was the little boy's fault - a) for playing with such a valuable item in the first place (just scuffing could wear out the autograph) and b) for kicking the ball over a 6 ft fence.

You have a right to let your dogs have the freedom of your garden and you have taken all reasonable means to ensure they stay in your garden. So you are in no way responsible at all.

I think you should advise the neighbours - in writing - that whilst you sympathise very much, it is their responsibility to look after such a valuable item and to ensure that their son does not project items into other people's properties.

Ignoring them will not put your case across and engaging them in a conversation may not allow you to complete your points clearly (due to interruptions), and could lead to unpleasant heated exchanges.

annettej67

Parenting skills.

jap200

This is not even a dilemma, so why is it in the email?

Mollyflicka

Is this about the ball, or the money the ball was worth? Seems odd that the first thing you were asked for was the value of the ball!

I think you are very generous in offering to buy a new unsigned ball. I'd be as tactful and clear as you can be - you want to keep good relationships but not be bullied in this way!

Hope it works out for you.

Krissy306

Completely not your fault you shouldn't be punished for it

dollyweth

So many reasons not to cough up here - if it was so valuable, why was the boy playing football with it? A few games and that signature would have worn off in any case. Shouldn't the boy be taking responsibility for the fact that he kicked it over your fence? Does your neighbour really think that any self-respecting dog would ignore an exciting new ball that suddenly bounced into its yard? I really think a polite and sympathetic but firm no is the order of the day here.

tgroom57

Your neighbour should claim on his insurance for the accidental loss of a valuable. Then he will have the joy of proving that he had the signed football in the first place.

Since (he claims) your dogs destroyed the football - there must be nothing left of the ball. No witnesses - the dogs aren't talking. You were out at the time. We have only his word that he a) had a signed football and b) was dull enough to toss it in your garden.

As an aside, be glad no-one climbed over the fence to retrieve the ball and met your dogs.

bear_it

Just reading this casually I read that your dogs had chewed Wayne Rooneys balls . . . . .

Personally I would write to MUFC and tell Wayne Rooney that your neighbour is such a big fan that they allowed their idiot kid to kick a signed ball into your garden where it got destroyed by Borussia Dortmund supporters. Let's see if he sends them another one

bogwart

If the ball was that valuable the kid should either not have been playing with it, let alone being careless enough to lose it. Have you seen the ball? Is it genuine?

No, you are not liable in any way. And if he thinks he will get anywhere with a court summons tell him to go for it.