Puppy death

What is the name of your state? AZ My boyfriend trains dogs and a friend recently asked if he could train their 6 month puppy. It's not a business --he's very accomplished w/his own dogs--with titles and certifications. We all agreed it was easier to board/train the puppy for 3 to 4 weeks for less than $500. (very little amount but was more like a favor) The 3rd night the puppy was playing with 3 other puppies we have (they were all getting along the 2 previous days) and we went to bring them in and found him dead in the middle of the yard. We tried cpr but no use..he had bit marks on his legs but think he died from strangleation as the colar was twisted up and the neck very wet. I immediately called the owner. This is a horrible accident and we want to make it right...they are asking for $2500 for all they put into him...& want it within 30 days or else it's court. (they paid $600 for their pet) Is what their asking for justified if taken to court? I now see all kinds of forms that would protect in such an event. Do we have any legal protection?

They are allowed the 600 dollars.

How are they deriving the 2500 figure?

xylene said:

They are allowed the 600 dollars.

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I would modify that statement a little bit. There are allowed $600 max.

so if taken to court they would only get the amount they paid for the animal---not all they spent on him over the past 5 months?

concerned12many said:

so if taken to court they would only get the amount they paid for the animal---not all they spent on him over the past 5 months?

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That is correct.

And, if they seriously OVERPAID for the animal, perhaps not even that. For example - let's say I "buy" a kitten from my down-on-her-luck friend for $500 (just so I'm not "giving" her money). That doesn't mean the animal is WORTH $500

Zigner said:

And, if they seriously OVERPAID for the animal, perhaps not even that. For example - let's say I "buy" a kitten from my down-on-her-luck friend for $500 (just so I'm not "giving" her money). That doesn't mean the animal is WORTH $500

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A vet was looking at my horses and noticed a tortoiseshell barn cat I had.

The vet said, "Those kinds of cats are worth a thousand dollars!"

I said, "You can have that one there for $100 right now!"

He didn't take me up on it so I really doubt his word.

Thank you all. I feel horrible about what happened but when trying to make ends meet & being told "you need to pay this amount with in 30 days or we're taking you to court" your comments at least make me feel a bit better/confident in trying to negotiate with the "friend".

concerned12many said:

Thank you all. I feel horrible about what happened but when trying to make ends meet & being told "you need to pay this amount with in 30 days or we're taking you to court" your comments at least make me feel a bit better/confident in trying to negotiate with the "friend".

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Demand a receipt from them.

I'd like to know what kind of puppy is worth $600.

(All my dogs have always been strays, mutts, abandoned, etc. )

I paid for a dog...once.
Well, the dog was free, but the conditions of adoption were that I get it sterilized and shots and an ID chip implanted.
In my case, even though those costs were incurred to get the puppy, they were NOT a part of the cost OF the puppy.

Zigner said:

In my case, even though those costs were incurred to get the puppy, they were NOT a part of the cost OF the puppy.

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The necessities made the dog saleable. (AKA Increased its value)

We have hounds that have done unGodly damage to our home. All of 'em "free."

All of 'em adored.

What everyone is trying to say is that animals are property. If you damage someone else's property completely, you are responsible for the fair market value of the property.

The reason I put it this way is because I have a slight disagreement with some of the examples. Two equal puppies except that one has an ID chip implanted or is "fixed" have a different value. I'm not going to pretend I know the difference in value, but, the value is different.

(A neutered dog is generally going to have a slightly higher value when viewed as a pet. If the dog was a dog show champion and the person a breeder, neutering would reduce the fair market value.)

Info edit:
Now that I think about it, if the person is a breeder is not really relevant to the fair market value. What would a person pay on the open market for a champion dog which is not sterile is. (Recognizing breeders are part of the open market.)

xylene said:

The necessities made the dog saleable. (AKA Increased its value)

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Fair Enough
(That's for Tranq too, on his later post)

Agreed.

I love my little bitches to no end and they spoiled rotten.

When I had a previous dog put down a while ago, it was a traumatic experience. (I held her as she died.)

However, none of that translates into money.