Are we liable?

[prideysgal]

recently two of our dogs were let out of their very secure enclosure,their tags & collars removed(possible attempted theft),relevent althorities were contacted,& we were contacted 2 days later to say they had been involved in an RTA nobody injured but one dog killed and the other suffered a broken pelvis, we have now incured vets fees in excess of �1200,but now the owner of vehicle says we should pay for damage to 4x4, police have stated its nobodys fault(same applys if you hit a deer)man has given me lots of grief over phone,i have told him to claim from his insurance(as was advised by police) but he seems to think this is a moral issue and i should pay, am i liable for this or should i be asking him to contribute towards vets fees?our dogs did not have insurance. please advise

[redcrx]

Sorry to hear what happened to your dogs.

Ive always been under the impression that if a dog causes an accident then the owner of the dog can be held liable. Its different for cats as they are still acknowledged as 'wild' animals like deer. But dogs are domesticated.

Would your household insurance cover it? if youve got legal cover it may be worth asking them for advice.

[Ethel]

Don�t forget that if your dog causes a road traffic accident then you could be help liable for any costs involved.

http://www.swindon.gov.uk/print/environment/en vironment-animal-welfare/dogwarden/environment -animal-dog-rta.htm?itemid=0

Deer is a different matter altogether as they are not in the control of an owner.

[cambus]

Why should you pay?
Your dogs being let loose, were the result of a criminal act, the police would appear to agree with that.
You have suffered enough, both financially and emotionally.
There is no legal or moral obligation to pay this man for anything, he sounds like a right moron.
Next time he calls, tell him firmly, that he must take the matter up with his insurance company and that on the advice of your solicitor you cannot enter into any further discussion about this incident.