Dog Been Attacked

[Halifaxmum]

My 4 yr old Yorkie, Peanut (never let off the lead, and just lays on his back when approached by another dog) was set upon by a Rottweiler (off the lead in a local park) today and bitten in 3 places. Peanut is very quiet and submissive, showed no aggression whatsoever, just laid on his back, as usual.

The vets bill is 82 quid for today's appointment, injections, painkillers and antibiotics. We've to go back Monday for a check up too, which will probably be another 35 quid.

The woman whose dog it is was upset and crying, saying I'm so sorry. I don't know her, but think someone I know does.

Is it reasonable of me to just go and knock on her door and expect her to reimburse me the vet bills?

TIA

[wildwood]

^^ I don't understand lankeela, if halifaxmum decides to proceed with action to recover the vet bills, does that not become a civil matter? AFAIK, no law has been broken until they refuse to comply with a legal direction.

I am here to learn on these matters as we have decided to get a dog again after a 2 year break.

I really hope that this can be settled amicable as this only aggravates public opinion on the larger breeds.

[welshlibranr]

Oh feel so sorry for little peanut!.....Have a Cocker Spaniel spayed female, she is so soppy, can't let her off the lead, she is crazy, but lovely with the softest nature ever, we have had problems with aggresive dogs, but my dog is like yours, she just lies on her back, and so has been ok so far, but is scary!.......

[lankeela]

The paying of the vet bill is neither a civil or criminal matter, but the dog attacking another is an offence and the owner can be prosecuted for having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. If the owner of the dog has any sense she will pay up and shut up, or could end up having to have her dog put down. Its not for me to say whether this is the right course of action not knowing the previous history of the dog or the circumstances.

[lankeela]

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13573-dogs-law-you-leaflet-080515.pdf