Money Moral Dilemma: Should my mother-in-law pay to clean up after her dog?

DPS-2016

If you allow dogs in I guess this is a risk you're taking on.  I don't think there's an entitlement.  

tain

DPS-2016 said:

If you allow dogs in I guess this is a risk you're taking on.  I don't think there's an entitlement.  

I get your sentiment, but I don't think the owner is absolved of responsibility. 

Same with kids. If I'm a guest in someone's house, my kids cant run riot with no supervision because the host took that risk on when they invited us. 

tindella

What kind of a woman is she that hasn't already apologised for her dog's behaviour and picked up the bill?  Why should you even have a problem?  What happened to manners and responsibility??

cats4u

I am firstly disturbed she just arrived with an untrained puppy without asking and without any plans to limit any potential problems - the puppy doesn’t know what it is doing but surely she does! 

Secondly I am shocked she didn’t immediately offer to clean or pay for cleaning! 

A small example of the sad indictment of the much bigger problem of a society who refuse to take ownership of (or even recognise) their wrongdoings never mind trying to put things right!

grassmarket

If she didn’t offer then & if she knows you had to call in the professionals - she’s not going to cough up now without a fight! If you/spouse don’t want that fight - maybe do a bit of research on MSE instead & find yourself a home insurance policy with good accidental damage cover? 😉 

jave25

Sparky6_9 said:

If a guest knocked over a glass of red wine or tea on the carpet would you ask them to pay for it to be cleaned? If it is a one off then just make her aware that you had to pay to have the carpet cleaned and that you don't expect the dog to do it again. Probably best that the dog is kept somewhere safe where it cannot cause any damage or if that's not possible left at home when she visits.

totally this for me - am surprised this is even a question, and even more surprised at some of the responses saying yes you should ask her to pay!

She is family!! why would you ask her to contribute? its unfortunate, but she is your partners mum, presumably raised your partner, clothed, fed, watered, housed them for years, its an unfortunate accident - the same as if she had accidentally knocked something over etc, why on earth would you ask her to pay? crazy world out there - charging family members for accidental damage in your house!

Pollycat

cats4u said:

I am firstly disturbed she just arrived with an untrained puppy without asking and without any plans to limit any potential problems - the puppy doesn’t know what it is doing but surely she does! 

Secondly I am shocked she didn’t immediately offer to clean or pay for cleaning! 

A small example of the sad indictment of the much bigger problem of a society who refuse to take ownership of (or even recognise) their wrongdoings never mind trying to put things right!

It doesn't say it was an untrained puppy.

MSE_Kelvin said:

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My mother-in-law came over with her new dog, which proceeded to defecate all over our carpet. We have called in professional carpet cleaners to get it sorted - but should we ask for some money towards the bill?

Maybe it was a full grown rescue dog which might or might not be trained.

sheramber

There is not always an OP.

Some of these Money Moral Dilemmas are made up and there is never any answers to questions nor any follow up.

rwgray

Get a cat.  Then refuse to let any dog past the front door because it's THE CAT'S HOUSE.  Works for us.  Filthy things.

badmemory

Let's just go with the new style bumper sticker "a dog isn't just for covid"!