What would you do-dog bite

[Anonymous]

I was walking my dog on the sidewalk on our way to the dog park. My dog is friendly and regularly goes up to other dogs for a sniff. I was walking up the street and at about 20 feet I said to this guy walking his dog coming towards us, "He's really friendly." He had time to say his dog wasn't or to move away from us. My dog went up to his dog took one sniff and his dog bit my dog's ear. I had to take my dog to the vet for stitches. I also had to take him back for several bandage changes and because the ear was all wrapped up it got infected. This guy paid 1/2 of the original bill and refuses to pay for more. We feel that he actually should be paying for all the bills but we were willing to settle for 1/2. The bills were sent in two different installments, the first bill and the bills for the bandage changes and the infection.

We did report him to animal control and he did have to take his dog in for observation and provide proof of vaccinations.

We are debating whether we should take him to small claims court. On the one hand we feel like this guy ought to take full responsibility for his dog and he is being an a-hole and was an a-hole from the beginning. On the other hand taking him to court seems so distasteful to me. I would feel compelled to get statements from my neighbors and people at the dog park whose dogs play with mine saying that he is not an agressive dog. I really hate that idea. I don't really want to get others involved. It's not their fight.

I know you will have to take my word for it that my dog is not agressive. He isn't. He is only a puppy (9 months) and doesn't even bark when someone comes to the door. The balance of the bills is 600. I'm trying to decide whether it is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Eh, I'd just settle for half the bills and let it go. Part and parcel of owning a dog.

[Anonymous]

Was your dog on a leash?

Was his?

If your dog was unleashed and his was, then I feel that you bear at least half of the responsibility, if not all of the responsibility.

[Anonymous]

OP here. He paid 1/2 of the original bill 225. He refuses to pay anything for the rest of the bills. Sorry not to make that clear.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Both dogs were leashed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was your dog on a leash?

Was his?

If your dog was unleashed and his was, then I feel that you bear at least half of the responsibility, if not all of the responsibility.

I agree.

On the other hand, if your dog was leashed and his not, I would sue his a$$. Nothing pisses me off more than unleashed, "friendly" dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh, I'd just settle for half the bills and let it go. Part and parcel of owning a dog.

This. And I'd never have asked for half. They are animals you never know whats going to happen. Perhaps the other owner didn't know you would let your dog come up to his and sniff it. If it happened at a dog park maybe, but just walking down the street is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Both dogs were leashed.

Was it a real leash, or one of those long, pull out extendo type leashes?

[Anonymous]

You should have more control over your dog when on a leash.. Just be glad he paid half and consider it a wash. Since your dog did the approach I doubt any judge would find in your favor.

[Anonymous]

I think this email sounds distasteful. You let your dog sniff another dog. Your dog got bit. It is your fault.

Just because you had your dog on a leash does not mean it is OK for your dog to approach another dog.

[Anonymous]

OP. Your dog approached his dog. You are lucky that he paid half. I don't care if you say that your dog is friendy...it's a freaking dog.

[Anonymous]

OP, you should be in more control of your dog. You did YOUR dog a disservice by letting it go up to another dog and get bit. If I was your dog, I'd be mad at you. You mentioned that it is only 9 months old...you need to be the one in charge and you failed. You dog has to pay the price of injury and you should pay the medical bill.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you did not relate all details, but did this other dog have a history of aggression? You paint this man as an asshole for not warning you of this dog, but did he have reason to know? Every dog has a first bite.

[Anonymous]

15:58 again. Personally, I also do not care for the "My dog is friendly" types....thinking that excuses lack of control over your dog. You should maintain control over your dog at all times. The fact that you love your dog does not mean everyone else does.

[Anonymous]

Another entitled OP. Who cares if you dog is friendly. I hate when people say that and expect you to let their dog lick you all over.