Dog bite in need of guidance

[Ted01]

What is the name of your state? NC
Hi all, looking for advice before I go the wrong direction. I was walking my dog on my property when he heard a noice and got away from me which led him to my neighbors yard. I chased after him but he found their cat. He bit the cat and I separated them and the cat ran off. I don’t get along with my neighbors because they are very vindictive and make my life miserable over a driveway easement. They cut all communication with me after the incident and then called me 6 days later to let me know that the cat came home but was badly injured. She carried the cat to an emergency hospital for animals and informed me that I was responsible for all the bills. Here is my dilemma... I am a huge animal lover but this is their 4th outside cat in 2 years. They ran one over because they wouldn’t snow down when they saw it, one got attakced by an animal in the woods and they had it put down, and lastly they let one freeze to death when we had a really cold week. The husband openly hates all animals and states that he would shoot an animal before he spends money on one. Since my dog did this they are purposely sparing no expense and racking up huge dr bills because they say I WILL pay it all. I offered to pay half because without them paying part of it, there would be no cap. They have it on camera so I feel like the court would definitely side with them. I am terribly sorry for what happened and offered to help but at this point I am being extorted for as much as they can. If this goes to court would I automatically have to pay all the bill and the court costs or is there a cap on what someone can force to pay on a free cat? I’m more broken hearted than they ever will be over what happened. What options do I have?

 

[adjusterjack]

Sorry, you were negligent in letting your dog get away from you. You are responsible for all the cat's medical bills. Doesn't matter what happened with their other cats or what the owner's attitude is. You are welcome to insist on copies of all the bills and a written statement from the vet as to what was needed to be done to tend to the cat's injuries.

If you don't want to be out of pocket you are free to turn the claim over to your homeowners insurance company for handling.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

You are responsible for all the cat's medical bills.

North Carolina seems to have several requirements before strict liability attaches. I'm also not sure if liability exceeds the value of the damaged property. The People's republik of Massachusetts allows for vet bills exceeding the value of the damaged property, but that's not the majority rule.

OP should turn this over to his/her insurance company, or see an attorney with experience with dog bite law in North Carolina

 

[quincy]

North Carolina seems to have several requirements before strict liability attaches. I'm also not sure if liability exceeds the value of the damaged property. The People's republik of Massachusetts allows for vet bills exceeding the value of the damaged property, but that's not the majority rule.

OP should turn this over to his/her insurance company, or see an attorney with experience with dog bite law in North Carolina

I agree that North Carolina has some quirks in their laws that potentially could allow Ted01 to escape liability for the injured cat's vet bills.

It depends on several factors, potentially including the breed of dog and city ordinances, and would include the dog bite history of the dog and the time of day (oddly) and if there can be fault demonstrated on the part of the cat owner.

Depending on the insurance policy, the dog may be excluded from coverage due to breed.

If the vet costs being demanded are high, a review of the facts would be smart - but if the costs are reasonable, paying for the cat's injuries seems the decent thing to do.

 

[xylene]

What kind of dog?

 

[Ted01]

Thank you for the replies. It’s an extremely unfortunate situation. My dog is a German Shepherd Dog but before the pitchforks come out... we are not back country irresponsible dog owners. He is fully trained off leash and on leash. He has spent lots of time with a professional trainer and he is trained to obey all the basic obedience and off leash commands (in German no less). He goes with us to parks and businesses and he was the showcase dog for the training company. This was an unfortunate occurrence that stole his focus and no verbal command could take his mind back.

 

[quincy]

Thank you for the replies. It’s an extremely unfortunate situation. My dog is a German Shepherd Dog but before the pitchforks come out... we are not back country irresponsible dog owners. He is fully trained off leash and on leash. He has spent lots of time with a professional trainer and he is trained to obey all the basic obedience and off leash commands (in German no less). He goes with us to parks and businesses and he was the showcase dog for the training company. This was an unfortunate occurrence that stole his focus and no verbal command could take his mind back.

German Sheperds are actually not one of the breeds normally excluded from insurance policies. You should check your own policy to see if they are.

 

[Zigner]

Thank you for the replies. It’s an extremely unfortunate situation. My dog is a German Shepherd Dog but before the pitchforks come out... we are not back country irresponsible dog owners. He is fully trained off leash and on leash. He has spent lots of time with a professional trainer and he is trained to obey all the basic obedience and off leash commands (in German no less). He goes with us to parks and businesses and he was the showcase dog for the training company. This was an unfortunate occurrence that stole his focus and no verbal command could take his mind back.

If the last statement is true, then you are delusional in thinking your dog is "fully trained" in any respect.

 

[Ted01]

There are also no other previous

If the last statement is true, then you are delusional in thinking your dog is "fully trained" in any respect.

I came here for sound advice, not snide remarks. Do you think that any person or animal on this planet can be absolutely perfect and not have a lapse of common sense or morals? I never said we were without fault. No amount of training is 100% unless perhaps the animal is beat into submission until they comply. I will never own a cruely trained or abused animal. He was trained by a professional (not cousin Bob’s dog training academy). For the record he was also imported from Belgium and trained as a puppy and had many follow up training sessions at home and at a facility. He made a mistake and I have to own it. You also have no idea of the morals of the people that I am dealing with. What’s right is right and what’s extortion is extortion. I have decided to take care of the bill somehow and try to put it past me because there is no proof that they are trying to financially hurt us.

 

[Ted01]

Thank you to those who tried to help

 

[Zigner]

Do you think that any person or animal on this planet can be absolutely perfect and not have a lapse of common sense or morals?

It matters not whether the animal has any "lapse of common sense...". It is on YOU, as the owner of the dog, to maintain control of your animal at ALL times.

 

[commentator]

Having raised and trained dogs, I must intercede. Hey, dogs are DOGS. they are not people, they are not Navy SEALS, no matter how well trained. Nobody should forget this. We may anthropromophise all we want to, but they are not the same species as we are, sometimes we just do not understand them. Sometimes small prey animals, such as cats or rats or bloody things, such as a new born calf or a little jumpy thing, such as an ADHD neighbor's child bring out the primitive to the extent that they simply lose it, no matter how much of a Command Dog or a well trained animal they may otherwise be. I seen this happen a time or two with some really well trained trusted animals. No judgment here for that. You must accept that your dog is a canine, he may have really screwed up in spite of your appropriate vigilance. That said, however, I am afraid these bad neighbors do sort of have you in a bad spot. Consult with your homeowners insurance carrier. Hopefully you can get out of this without being financially devastated. Be aware they'll probably be throwing cats at your dog for the rest of time.

 

[Ted01]

Having raised and trained dogs, I must intercede. Hey, dogs are DOGS. they are not people, they are not Navy SEALS, no matter how well trained. Nobody should forget this. We may anthropromophise all we want to, but they are not the same species as we are, sometimes we just do not understand them. Sometimes small prey animals, such as cats or rats or bloody things, such as a new born calf or a little jumpy thing, such as an ADHD neighbor's child bring out the primitive to the extent that they simply lose it, no matter how much of a Command Dog or a well trained animal they may otherwise be. I seen this happen a time or two with some really well trained trusted animals. No judgment here for that. You must accept that your dog is a canine, he may have really screwed up in spite of your appropriate vigilance. That said, however, I am afraid these bad neighbors do sort of have you in a bad spot. Consult with your homeowners insurance carrier. Hopefully you can get out of this without being financially devastated. Be aware they'll probably be throwing cats at your dog for the rest of time.

Well spoken. Thank you

 

[Zigner]

Well spoken. Thank you

She said the same thing I said - you're welcome.

 

[NeilTheCop]

Thank you for the replies. It’s an extremely unfortunate situation. My dog is a German Shepherd Dog but before the pitchforks come out... we are not back country irresponsible dog owners. He is fully trained off leash and on leash. He has spent lots of time with a professional trainer and he is trained to obey all the basic obedience and off leash commands (in German no less). He goes with us to parks and businesses and he was the showcase dog for the training company. This was an unfortunate occurrence that stole his focus and no verbal command could take his mind back.

That's almost exactly what they said about the dog that ripped half my face off when I was a child.