Heart broken pet owner

[lbrady]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

My little Yorkie was severly injured by another dog at a local boarding kennel and died at the vet shortly after. They paid the vet bills and want to pay me $300 for my AKC registered dog (like that will bring back my precious pet). If they had contacted me with a sincere apology, or acted like they cared at all, it might have made me feel as if they tried their best, but they didn't. I was advised by a lawyer that I would have to spend a great deal of money to pursue any other action and it would most likely result in nothing else being done. My question is this - Can I put a banner on my car stating that my dog was killed at Noah's Bark? Since it is a fact, can that be construed as slander or libel?What is the name of your state?

 

[tranquility]

My little Yorkie was severly injured by another dog at a local boarding kennel and died at the vet shortly after.

and

Can I put a banner on my car stating that my dog was killed at Noah's Bark? Since it is a fact, can that be construed as slander or libel?

Apparently, it isn't a fact.

You need to be very careful when attacking another's livelyhood. Damages can ramp up very fast. No one wants to get sued, and, while it it highly likely you would win if you were careful with what you said, it is also quite possible you would be sued to shut you up.

An apology, sincere or otherwise, can be problematical in many circumstances. While some states have an evidentiary statute preventing such an apology from being admitted as evidence, many do not. In these litigious times, an apology could be an admission of guilt just waiting for you to set a number as to how much you think you were damaged.

 

[moburkes]

Since a dog is considered property, that is likely all that you can get - the cost to buy a new one.

 

[quincy]

I am sorry about your Yorkie.

I would check out the Georgia Animal Protection Act, which deals with kennels and the control they must have over the animals boarded with them.

You can also check out your county's Cruelty to Animals codes - I know of one that says, "No person shall, by act, omission or neglect, cause unjustifiable physical harm or pain, suffering and death to any animal" and any person guilty of such a provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine up to $1000.00 and/or imprisonment in jail.

Also, dogs who bite people or other animals should be confined to test for rabies. If an owner of a dog that bites either a person or another dog, whether they have current custody of the dog or a kennel does, can be held responsible for the injury or death of such. If they knew their dog was dangerous, there can be additional charges brought against them.

I would avoid anything that potentially defames the kennel. Lawsuits are not only expensive to bring, they are expensive to defend against. Georgia's Cruelty to Animals may be able to help you find the right course of action to take that is affordable and legal.