While Walking My Dog Yesterday A Terrier Raced Out Of A Garden And Bit It Just Above The Back Leg.

[sandyRoe]

I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and pulled it away. A little girl came running out of the house and lifted her dog in her arms. She seemed genuinely upset and kept asking in my dog was OK. I said it was and continued with the walk. When I got home I thought I should go to the vets. The treatment there cost £40.
Should I bring the bill to the owners of the offending dog?

[jomifl]

yes

[sandyRoe]

OK. But I'll not bring my dog when I go in case we get set on again.

[sunny-dave]

yep

[1ozzy]

I think you should inform them of the outcome.
It may go nowhere, but if they are responsible pet owners they may at least ensure it doesn't happen again

[Zacs-Master]

No you should take it. (Just putting my pedant hat on).

[sandyRoe]

[i] to settle linguistic arguments: should I present them with the bill? [i] :-)

[1ozzy]

Yeah.....but don't gift wrap it :-)

[weecalf]

Happen to me summit like that ,was not very polite with the owner of the Alsatian dog .my dog did not need treatment but the owner nearly did .I left him in no doubt what he and his dog might still get .10 years ago but still remember it .Ps vet charged me 50/60 quid to put my dog down after spending near 400 quid on useless treatment .They did send me a card to say how sorry they were at the loss of my dog .At approx 100 quid a visit I'm sure they were .Sorry rant over

[Maydup]

What was the treatment? Was your dog Ok or not?

[2sp_]

I would go round, let them know that your dog needed vet treatment and see if they offer to pay. If not I would ask them for the money.

Was your dog on a lead, Sandy? (Not picking at you, just looking for any argument that the other owners may come back to you with.)

[lankeela]

I would definitely go round but could be difficult if the little girl was the only 'witness'. Can you prove it was their dog that did it? If they are decent people they would offer to pay but they are few and far between these days. Perhaps the threat of reporting it might make them more responsive but try the softly softly approach first before going heavy handed.

[sandyRoe]

The treatment wasn't much but at least it was reassuring for me. Shaved a bit of the fur away, cleaned it up(no stitches needed) and a course of anti biotics.
My dog was on her lead.
I will take the bill to them. If they pay it, good and well, otherwise I'll just forget it.

[2sp_]

So glad your wee dog is OK, I hope she's not too traumatised by the whole thing? Or you for that matter.

Probably the best way to deal with it Sandy. I'd also be wary of walking that way again.

[wolf63]

Hope your little lady isn't too traumatised by this attack.

My first dog got attacked by a Jack Russell. His injuries were minor but it scared him. He was at least 5 times the size of his attacker - but not very brave or aggressive.

[Old_Geezer]

Just my opinion but if I hadn't checked the damage at the time and assured the girl all was ok, I'd take the financial hit myself rather than go around with a bill. £40 to avoid the stress of doing so, and upsetting the family, I prefer a minimum stress life.

[sandyRoe]

This happened in a place called Broomhill Pk where the houses are among the most expensive in Belfast. So I'd guess the £40 wouldn't be an issue to the householder.
But I agree, there's a lot to be said for a stress free life, and I'll probably let it go.

[Tilly2]

Take the bill round and ask if they would like to make a contribution to the fees. If they say no, then at least you tried. You might be pleasantly surprised.