A woman killed my cat, how should I deal with her?

Question

A woman up the street from me ran over my cat. We had to take him to the vet to be put down. I went over to her house to ask for $43 to cover the vet costs and she told me that she was so sorry for my loss, but "Your homeowners insurance will cover it." Then she told me she's run over other cats and killed them. How should I deal with her and get the money back?

for those of you who were asking or wondering, she was driving one of those JEEP SUVs and she was SPEEDING. She told me that when she ran over the cat that he was chasing a bird. He wasn't a birder he was a mouser. And yes, he did die. We had to take him to the vet because he was crushed from the ribs down.

Last update! She comes to my door saying, "I think I just ran over your cat. I think he just has a broken leg." There was blood coming out of his mouth and nose.

Answer 1

take her to small claims court and pray for her, evidently she's a mean person that needs help.

Answer 2

First of all, she's feeding you BS. Homeowners insurance does not cover the cost of someone injuring a cat, that's ridiculous.

She can always make the excuse that she couldn't see the cat, the cat ran in front of the car, etc. So there is no legal negligence on her part, other than just being an idiot, which is still legal in America by the way.

You could always sue her in small claims. But you'd end up paying more in feeds, so you'd only loose money.

Unfortunately, other than convincing her that she is in the wrong, there isn't much you can do. It's not "cat-slaughter" to accidentally run over the cat, so she won't be getting prison time for it. I'd try talking to her, maybe even get the other people whose cats she killed to go with you, and make sure she pays you.

You could also bring the Animal Rights Activist into it. They have a way of getting what they want if they complain about it enough. Or you could write or call the city, they may be able to do something.

Oh and by the way...you won't be able to get pain and suffering out of someone killing the cat. Its not considered to be a big enough deal for you to get repremations for your loss.

Answer 3

I'm sorry for your loss and know what you're going through since I've had a loss recently. But I don't think there's anything you can do to recover the cost of putting her down. Not unless you have some pet insurance that would cover the cost.

What I'm most concerned about though, is this lady's attitude about how she's ran over other cats before. It sounds like she doesn't know where the brake pedal is and doesn't even care about what gets in the way of her vehicle.

Answer 4

It's a terrible accident, keyword being accident. There is a reason why cats aren't licensed, because according to the court system you don't own a cat. It decides to live with you. That's not a joke. Since you don't own it and since she won't voluntarily pay for it you can only grieve. Next time you get a cat, keep it indoors so this doesn't happen again. I am not trying to be cold or heartless, but this is a reality of owning a cat. If you let it run around outside, chances are it's going to get run over, attacked by something, contract some kind of feline disease or in some other manner get injured or killed.

Answer 5

Call the police/sherriff's office - although chances are they will tell you what other people have been - that your cat was outside your home/yard and there is probably an ordinance that states that it was actually you that violated the law. I am so sorry for your loss.

I know that it won't help now, but this may be - for your future pets, a reason to keep a cat indoors. There are just too many dangerous things out there. My neighbor kidnapped our cat and poisoned him. People are *******.

On a lighter note, you could slash her tires, key her car, smash in her headlights and if she says anything - inform HER that her homeowner's insurance will cover it ;)

Answer 6

You can try to go to small claims court. But, it is really not worth it, they probably will find against you because the laws are generally to have the pet leashed if outside dog or cat. I am sorry for your loss. It is best not to feud with a neighbor over something like this. You will end up being very miserable. After all I am sure that it was not done out of malice.

Answer 7

You can't revover any money from a cat that was running free & loose. Sorry, but you just can't. Used to be a vets assistant & unfortunately that's just how it is. I have a cat & i know how much you loved yours. Good luck with everything. Again, i am so sorry. Your homeowners insurance won't cover it either.

Answer 8

I'm sure she didn't mean to run over your cat. Since you let the cat roam, (it's thier nature), then things like this will happen. It's only $43 so you should just pay it. You should be responsible for at least 1/2 but I think that's the chance you take with cats that roam.

Answer 9

if she's done it more then once then either she is doing it on purpose or she is not a good driver:
my mom hit a dog once and ever since then she's been alot more careful---it only takes once to get scared into being a better driver!
you should really file a report with your local police that way if it happens again they will see that it is a pattern and then they will investigate it further which could get her into a lot of trouble-she needs to get into a lot of trouble right about now so that she can learn her lesson

Answer 10

have your cat stuffed in an attack position and late at night sneek up to her house and make scratching sounds on her bedroom walls. run a figure of your cat that youve cut out of cardboard quickly across her window casting a shadow from the moonlight. do that for each bedroom window or any other room she may be in. continue doing this every night and then when she is about to freak from sleep deprevation place your stuffed cat near her bedroom window and make cat growling sounds until she opens the window and WHAM theres your cat. she will be begging to pay you then.

or maybe she got tired of your cat scratching up her car paint and you should pay her.

Answer 11

This is a mean spirited person it will cost you more than 43.00 to try to take her to court to get your money then theres a possibility that since theres no leash law for cats you may not get it anyway. I'd try asking the police and see if they'd speak to her for you. If not absorb the lose. And sorry to hear about your loss. Good luck