Can I be found responsible for damage my dog caused?

[sherriberry]

I received a letter in the mail, stating that my dog caused damage to someones pool cover and pool straps. they said in the letter that I either pay up or they will file a claim in small claims court. I don't feel I am responsibe. My dog is licensed with the county. Am I responsible for my dogs damage?Or should I pay up, before small claims is filed, I don't have the kind of money they want, but I also don't want my wages garnished.
a concered mi. resident.
HEY GUYS,
WELL I WENT TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE CONSTRUCTIVE CRIT., BUT, I WON.
THE PEOPLE TOLD THE POLICE THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW MY DOG GOT INTO THERE POOL AREA. BUT WHEN I WENT AND TALKED TO THEM I NOTICED A CORNER OF THERE FENCE THAT WAS NOT FENCED IN. OH, IT'S AN INGROUND POOL. THEY HAVE A DITCH BEHIND THERE HOUSE & THE MICHIGAN LAW STATES THAT POOL AREAS HAVE TO BE FENCED IN. I SHOWED THE CLAIMS AD. THE PICTURES I TOOK OF THE FENCE & SAID THAT ANY CHILD COULD HAVE SQUEEZED THRU THAT FENCE, WOULD IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHILD, & NOT MY DOG. KIDS LOVE DITCHES. CASE CLOSED. HA!HA!HA!

 

[HomeGuru]

Why are you not responsible? If your dog caused the damage, either you should pay or have Rover hire his own attorney. Arf, arf.

signed,
Garfield

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Sometime, just sometimes, I read a post like this, sit back in my chair, scratch my head, and wonder. I wonder about the logic that people use. "My dog is licensed by the county" - - so what ?

If doggy caused damages, you're liable for those damages. Plain and simple.

IAAL

 

[HomeGuru]

IAAL,
wonder about this post by MrCary on the moving violations board.
I got a good laugh.

 

[mrstchr1]

Well did your dog do the damage? Can they prove it, does he have a history of this type of behavior? If he did, you need to pay.

 

[HomeGuru]

A dog having a history of damaging pool covers and straps. Now that's a first.

 

[LegalBeagle]

Rich neighborhood.

 

[HomeGuru]

Yikes, he could be my neighbor.