They said that he got spooked, and fell in the pool. They where to scared to get in the pool and help him. He doesn't know how to swim. I am sure they saw that and just let him drown. They called us when it was over to tell us, but it was to late then. We have had him for over a year now, and nothing like this has happened before. Do we have any recourse?
2007-06-28 13:32:56 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sorry, but I don't think your dog "fell" into the pool. Sounds too suspicious.
In any case, the fault lies on you for not taking the necessary precautions to ensure his safety - whether it be a fence, a kennel or even in the house. His safety should have been your first priority.
2007-06-30 04:21:38 · answer #1 · answered by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually in some states you can stand by and watch someone (human) drown, not help, and not have any legal action taken against you. However, places do have stricter laws for those who hurt pets over those who hurt humans.
How was your dog able to get into the pool area to begin with? If you knew he couldn't swim why did you allow your dog in the area without being supervised? I understand some dogs can't swim (might be the pit bull mix thing because my sister-in-law's dog is pit mix and can't swim). Also lots of people do tend to not like pit bulls thanks to their reputation. So that also gives pits the short end of the stick.
People don't realize that pets do cost a lot. Shots (rabies, kennel cough, bordatella, etc.), getting then fixed, and other medical costs (baby teeth removed, dew claws removed, etc.), food, training classes (if you do that), tags and registration (for many places), costs of the animal if it's from the shelter or a purebred (can cost a lot) just to name a few things.
Also find out what spooked the dog, etc. Find out as much about what happened. Also has the guy been in back there before with the dog? If so, how did they (the dog and the meter reader) react with each other? Also why did it take them so long to call you?
Just somethings to think about. Loosing a pet isn't easy and even harder if it could have been avoided. I don't think you will have any real recourse because of the fact you knew your dog couldn't swim, but allowed him in the pool area unsupervised.
If you go after them for anything I would go for the cost of the pet. The overall cost of the dog. Get all cost from your vet for the dog, if you bought it from a kennel find your recipe (or get another from the kennel), etc.
2007-06-28 20:59:55 · answer #2 · answered by Zabe 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you would have any recourse. In our justice system dogs are treated as inanimate property. Them letting your dog drown is the same as them knocking a chair into the pool. The best you could hope for is the value of the dog, but you would have to prove they killed it.
Also, Trimere you do sound like a jerk! "It's a Pitbull" UGH, get a clue! Back around WW2 the pit bull was the number 1 family dog in the US and was know as the "nanny dog" because it was so good with children. Every seen Petey on the Little Rascals? Back then the German Shepard was the stereotypical killer dog. Then in the Doberman became the media's evil dog, followed by the Rottweiler. Now it is the Bully breed's turn. Pitbull breeds test in the high 90's on American Temperament Testing exams. Stop propagating the stereo type, it is nothing more than myths and lies generated by our sensationalized media.
2007-06-28 21:08:16 · answer #3 · answered by Ben 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not to defend the workers or to point fingers at you dog, I can say that any person that has rights in peoples yards run into lots of problems with dogs. Period. They do not like to enter yards where there are dogs but there are times when they have to. Many of these workers have been bitten or from what they hear, are afraid of dogs.
If it were me standing there I couldn't do anything either. I can't swim. And not knowing where the pool tool are there wasn't much they could do but jump in.
I think that since the dog was left in the pool area it would have happened sooner or later anyway,
I doubt that it happened as you stated cause every dog instinctually knows how to swim. There is more to your story than what you have told us.
2007-06-28 20:54:33 · answer #4 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No as the same with a person in a car accident you do not have to stop and help .
Why wasn't there a fence area around the pool to protect the dog from getting in. If anyone is at fault it would be you for not keeping your dog out of such a dangerous area.
Would you have left a toddler alone knowing something like this could happen without supervision.
2007-06-28 20:44:39 · answer #5 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
He 'FELL' into the pool?? That sounds phony right there. I'm so sorry for your 'little boy.' How scared he must have been, hoping for help and receiving none. I don't know how anyone could not help. I don't care if it's a pitbull or a chihuahua they have every right to live as the other one. PLUS if he got 'spooked' I'm sure the metermen could figure out even though he's a pitbull he was NOT aggressive if he was 'spooked' and 'fell' into the pool.
I'm just so sad for you and your family for the loss of your little boy. I'm sorry.
2007-06-28 21:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
if nothing elsh pain and suffing i would think, now and days you can sue for anything, but by law standers my be negelt but more then likly not, but i would take it to a lawer and see what you can do. if a sign was posted saying a dog was back there then the guy/girl has a responbulty of this if not then might not be abule to do anything. i'm sorry this happin to you. and for your loss, pits are grate dogs and miss understood, and i'm sorry that that played apart in the loss of your dog
2007-06-28 20:39:37 · answer #7 · answered by motherraven23 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not to sound like a jerk....but it's a Pitbull...and people are afraid of what they can do, have done, and will most likely do again. Regardless of how your dog was, they didn't know it. I would've come and got you. But techinically...you left the yard in a state where the dog was able to fall into a pool and drown. You created the situation, you're liable for it.
Besides...had they helped, and got bitten...you might be facing having to put it down anyway.
I'm terribly sorry for your loss, but I don't see how it's anyone else's fault but your own.
2007-06-28 20:44:17 · answer #8 · answered by Trimere 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I never seen a dog that didnt know how to swim! But as far a any legal action? You will loose... Sorry it happened though.
2007-06-28 20:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by stetson172002 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So sorry for your loss. But unfortunetly i don't think there is much you can do. It was ur responsibility to protect your pet from anything that may harm it. and if they believed that they were or could be in harm from the animal they are not required to help. Sounds cruel i know, but if they felt that by helping they could be in danger they don't have to. Sorry
2007-06-28 22:12:49 · answer #10 · answered by chloe belle b 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋