I need your opinion

[dsirkle]

Oh...how do you figure?

In my long and aged time spent on the earth I have seen many lawsuits filed because a dog either bites a person or injures another dog. If there is homeowners insurance policy involved a settlement check is rapidly issued usually for $3500 miminum in the case of a dog biting a human. When a dog hurts a dog, the check covers the vet bill and any other other incurred expenses. When there is no insurance a Judge makes a similar order. Always as far as I have ever seen the dog owner is responsible for any damage done by the dog. The injured parties are not required to exercise good judgement to prevent injury. I'm no lawyer, this is just what I have seen. I am a life long dog owner and have 2 dogs over 100 lbs now. Just sayin' and junk.

[Patrick Long]

Seems like your friend is a bit of a Ditz (no offense)

You told her repeated times to let you know IN ADVANCE when she was coming over.

Not only did she not let you know, she put the stupid dog on the ground!!!!!!!!!!!

You have NO obligation to pay for that bill. NONE. Even if she wants to take it to court, you will have 0 obligation.

[MeMe]

In my long and aged time spent on the earth I have seen many lawsuits filed because a dog either bites a person or injures another dog. If there is homeowners insurance policy involved a settlement check is rapidly issued usually for $3500 miminum in the case of a dog biting a human. When a dog hurts a dog, the check covers the vet bill and any other other incurred expenses. When there is no insurance a Judge makes a similar order. Always as far as I have ever seen the dog owner is responsible for any damage done by the dog. The injured parties are not required to exercise good judgement to prevent injury. I'm no lawyer, this is just what I have seen. I am a life long dog owner and have 2 dogs over 100 lbs now. Just sayin' and junk.

interesting point.

However...this situation was explained to a civil suit attorney who has practiced law for 30+ years. He said that she has no chance in the world of getting a dime out of me. She came into my house fully aware that I have aggressive dogs. She took her chance.

Another attorney said that a judge would tell her that she should be greatful her dog is alive.

The sheriffs department said there is nothing she can do. But that halvesies would be the right thing to do if we are friends.

[qiksilver]

the only thing I find that you did wrong, is let her think she could do whatever the hell she wanted in YOUR house. If someone was going to walk over me like that and then tell me it's all my fault I would tell them where to stick it.

[FloridaHogs]

I guess the question now should be, is that the type friend you want to have? Are you going to remain friends after this? Quite frankly, she sounds like the type of "friend" you would be better off without. That being said, I would only pay her if you plan on continuing the friendship. BUT, if you don't plan on remaining friends, then I would simply tell her that after consoluting with a civilsuit attorney and the sheriff's office about the situtation, you have decided that you are not liable for any of the vet bill. Let her know you are serious about the situtation and have already consulted attorneys and the law. Paying half the bill is kinda like admitting fault IMO.

That is a pretty large sum of money to basically throw away because your "friend" doesn't have the common sense God gave a cow! I could think of many better ways to spend it. As I said just my opinion.

[Spaniard]

I would consider bringing my dog to someones house as my responsibility. Just the same if I brought my dog to a park or out on a walk; that animal is my responsibility at all times.

If I was your friend I wouldn't dream of "asking" for money; if you were to offer it on your own accord I maybe would have accepted it, but I would have never asked.

Animals are animals and people seem to forget that sometimes. You have to be ready for these sort of things to happen if your going to have different animals mingling under one roof. You did all you could to accomodate her and she couldn't take a second to call you before showing up at your house. On top of it all she marches in oblivious to the fact that there are pitbulls present defending their territory.

I mean c'mon where's the common sense?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You have done everything in your power to prevent this from happening, but in the end it did happen, I can understand you feel bad about it however it did not happen because of you but because of HER and not doing what was ask of her.

She is lucky that you go out of your way for her, putting your dog away so she can come with her dogs (I know I wouldn’t)

She can only blame herself for what happened and she should realize that it is HER responsibility to pay for the vet and that this would not have if she hadn’t show up unannounced.

[mischevious21]

IOK, well I havent read all of the posts on here, but this is my opinion- she KNEW that Sway doesnt like other animals, and was still willing to bring them over. You warned her, so it's not like she did not know. Also, you TOLD her that if she was to bring her dog(s) over that she was to call you first- and she did not. Your dog was in her own home. If I were you, I would do the same thing- apologize. And I would have also offers to in the future help pay for the bills- but really it was HER fault, not yours. you dont have to help pay, and if she's being rude about it I would not pay.

I have a pit mix that is very animal agressive to other dogs (aside form my husky), and our neibors dog once got out and into our yard, and our dog almost killed her. We felt horrible, and offerd to pay- but then they took us to court, where a judge told them that we do NOT have to pay a dime (he even suggested that we didnt because of how horrile they were being to us), because THEIR dog was on OUR proporty, in OUR yard (let alone IN the house), and that they were aware of the citys leash laws, and our dogs temperment.

So, all I have to say is good luck with it!!

[dsirkle]

interesting point.

However...this situation was explained to a civil suit attorney who has practiced law for 30+ years. He said that she has no chance in the world of getting a dime out of me. She came into my house fully aware that I have aggressive dogs. She took her chance.

Another attorney said that a judge would tell her that she should be greatful her dog is alive.

The sheriffs department said there is nothing she can do. But that halvesies would be the right thing to do if we are friends.

It could very well be that property laws are quite different in your State than mine. I know that Trespassing laws protect the property owner much more in the Southern States than in the North. I related what is true where I am. Doesn't evidently apply where you are.

[SilverWolf]

I am sorry to hear this has happened. But if you have learned anything from this I hope it is not to let anyone bring any dogs over to your house again. I am not saying it is yours or your dogs fault, but knowing you have an dog aggressive dog you have to be even that more careful. As shown it only takes a split second for something to happen. I've known people who have locked their dogs in another room or even kennel and they still got out and something bad happened. It really shouldn't matter what breed of dog it is, but sadly pit bull owners have to be even more careful than others. Sorry if this sounds harsh, I don't mean it to be. Good luck and hopefully it all works out.