We were given a stray dog by my aunty and we had it for around 18 mths. We took the dog to the vet because it had a paw infection, and when the dog was scanned, it had a microchip in it and the vet rang the owner and she came to pick it up. We were devastated because we were really attached to it. We didn't know it was owned by someone else and now the owner has been harassing us to pay her $1500 for the vet bill, and if we don't pay her she will take us to court. I want to know legally am I liable to pay for the vet bill now that the dog is not mine anymore? She threatened me over the phone that I will lose the court battle and I will pay severly. I know I will have to consult a lawyer but I want to ask other yahoo readers if I am liable and do I have a chance of winning? She came over to my house and demanded payment from my parents over this and they are really distressed by all this. Can the readers help me with this?
2007-09-29 13:38:32 · 13 answers · asked by Nina N 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I would ignore her. Let her sue if she wants. If you got the dog from another person, and had no idea it was someone else's dog, you did no wrong. Lots of people just like to bully and boss. Tell her to get some progesterone cream to put her in a better mood and ignore her.
And one more thing..... Who is the vet to scan without your permission? This was your dog as far as he knew. How dare he start off this mess?
2007-09-29 14:19:18 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not understanding fully what's going on here. You took a stray dog that was given to you and had for 18 months into the vet for an infected paw, which was scanned and returned to the owner. Now the owners want you to reimburse them for vet bills or they'll sue. That makes absolutely no sense unless they felt the dog was stolen or abused, etc. and in such bad shape they had to spend $1,500 to take care of it. A little more info. please.
2007-09-30 12:46:50 · answer #2 · answered by Little Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately consult an attorney.
Personally, if she reclaimed the dog, the bills are the responsibility of the OWNER! As someone else said, she should be thankful that someone took care of the dog and sought vet attention for him/her.
Make a note as to how long the dog had been with your Aunty, any info regarding her taking it to the vet, and that you've had him for the 18 months, and any other vet visits you've provided for this dog and copies of any of those bills! Take all of it with you to the consultation!
2007-09-29 21:20:41 · answer #3 · answered by Pam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the vet scanned the dog and found the rightful owner, she should be responsible for any bills to get her dog healthy again. of course thats just my opinion. How did an infected paw turn into a $1500 vet bill?
2007-09-29 20:46:07 · answer #4 · answered by Sophiesmama 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you weren't responsible for the paw infection, then you shouldn't have to pay for it. It would be different if you were at fault (i.e. you ran over the dog's paw with the car or something), because then you would have to pay for it. If you were nice enough to take the trouble to get the dog to the vet in the first place, she should pay as the rightful owner. If my family lost our dog and then found her at the vet after being taken in by a nice family, we would definitely pay the bill.
2007-09-29 20:46:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anya 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not 100% sure but if she came and reclaimed the dog before the vet preformed any services she should have to pay the bill. Plus she took the dog back. Did you try to find the owner of the dog when your aunt first found it?
2007-09-29 20:48:39 · answer #6 · answered by fresh_horses_7 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but this woman sounds ridiculous to me! She should be thrilled that her dog was taking care of in a loving home all this time and that the dog is okay. Money shouldn't be an object to her, she should get her dog back and pay the vet bill- she would have had to pay it if the dog was always in her care and she had to take it- good luck!
2007-09-29 20:46:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well she could not have looking very hard for her dog if 18 months went by.
Once she had the dog back you are not resposible for any of her vet bills. How would you know what they are for or what happen to the dog after it left your care. Let her bring you to court and then try to defend her self for having not only a romaing dog but also for not looking for her dog for 18 months.
2007-09-29 20:54:51 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In all honesty you are the one that took the dog to the vet, and if the dog didn't belong to anyone else then you would have to pay the bill regaurdless. Why in the hell was the vet bill $1500.00 in the 1st place? I'm not sure how this would go over in small claims court. Before you pay make sure that you have a copy of the vet bill, and get her to write you a paper saying that you did pay her. That way she can't take you to court anyway and say that you didn't pay her. If she won't write you anything, don't pay her. Or let her take you to court and see how it goes.
Good Luck, Kimberly
2007-09-29 20:50:11 · answer #9 · answered by thatgirlkimberly 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
What is this woman thinking? isn't she just darn happy that her dog was kept safe and cared enough about that her dog's problem was taken to a vet? She should be thankful that you got her dog back to her.
BUT, this is a lesson that any stray should be checked for a microchip and returned to its owner immediately.
2007-09-29 20:54:56 · answer #10 · answered by pugpillow 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋