Dog Killed My Cat - Civil Action?

Question

At the weekend, a dog viciously mauled my 14 year old cat to death, and my family are now considering taking a civil aciton against the owners of the dog. Is there any advice you guys can give me over how to successfully pursue a case against the owners? Any advice at all will do. Thanks!

It happened just as I was coming back from holiday in Spain, so I couldn't call the police. Luckily the neighbours took care of him until his last moments. There were quite a few witnesses, if that helps.
My mum approached the person responsible, and she said she had been arrested and fined and the dog taken away, but we don't have any proof of this, only her word.
Please, I would really appreciate any help or advice, as I really miss my cat.

My cat was 14 years old, but he certainly wasn't too old to run! In fact, he gave as good as he got with the dog even though it attacked him first. My cat was always fighting dogs who tried to attack the other cats I have.
Just a bit more info, this happened outside my house, in front. My estate has a sort of square that people often use as a thoroughfare.

Answer 1

I suggest you take some form of legal advice. And also get the details of all the witnesses and ask them if you can speak to them or if they can make a note of what they have seen.

It may take some time to bring an action and the sooner you can record details of witnesses and a note of what they saw, the easier it will be when it comes to court. You don't want them saying in 6 months time "well, it was so long ago I don't really remember".

You should speak to the police perhaps also - although having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place seems to refer to the dog harming a person:

If a dog is dangerously out of control in a public place the owner is guilty of an offence, or, if the dog while so out of control injures any person, an aggravated offence, under this subsection”

The Acts definition of a dog “dangerously out of control” is:

“…any occasion on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person, whether or not it actually does so.”

In short, your dog does not have to bite or attack anyone or thing, it only has to act like it might. And the possible penalties? A hefty fine and/or a six months imprisonment term for threatening behaviour, rising to a two-year term if you dog actually bites someone!

Good luck! And I am so sorry about the terrible fate your cat suffered. The loss of a pet is very sad as they are so loving and unquestioning of their owners.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear bout cat dude,takes a good dog to beat a cat,wouldn't be fair to take it out on the dog, as someone has suggested poisoning it,its really the owners fault,remember it for the victories it had against dogs and realise this time it met its match,civil actions can run into thousands of pounds,to gain what?it would just be on your mind through the court case, putting money into solicitors pockets,keep the money to buy a dog to protect your cats,one like mine does the trick!!

Answer 3

A case would depend on whether the dog was in violation of any statutes. i.e. unleashed in a leash-up zone, trespassing, etc.

Also, where was the cat when it was attacked and what was it doing? These could matter. Additionally, what was the response/reaction of the dog's owner? That could matter too.

Good luck, so sorry about your kitty.

Answer 4

Make a report to the police, and have your neighbors give written statements, if there are local ordinances reference animals being confined in your property, try to have the guy cited, do this if the dog got out of his yard and went into yours to kill your cat, in the event that the dog happened to be out on the street and your cat was in your front yard, you should still be good, but if they were both on the street, you could possibly be cited, if in fact such ordinance exists, either way, you could act civilly against your neighbor and sue him for the value of your pet, pain suffering, it's up to you, just remember, you're still going to live next to this person, probably for a long time, so weigh your options carefully...........

Answer 5

Go for it provided you have a good case. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs' behaviour. If your cat went into the dog's garden then it's a different story. There should be some web sites with information you can refer to.

Answer 6

All I know is cats are protected by law, though you never actually own one. Dogs' owners are hekd completely responsible for their pets behaviour. If you can prove that dog mauled your cat - you've a case. No impartial witnesses, and it's just your word against theirs.

I'm sorry though, good luck.

Answer 7

try a little poison peanut butter if this happened in your own yard. Other wise keep your two old to run cat in the house! If the dog is running around the neighborhood killing cats then a small fire arm should be sufficient. The dog did what comes natural.

Answer 8

yes you can bring civil action against the owners of the dog for the value of the cat.

Answer 9

dog owners are responsible for their animals behaviour unlike cat owners
get in touch with a solicitor and start an action
the dog owners have probably got dog insurance if they are responsible and the insurance covers them for third party damages
definetly go for it

Answer 10

if the cat was in the dogs yard there is nothing you can do. if it attacked the cat on the street on in your garden then you may have a case, the cops could advise you better.