Dog owner wont pay for their dog biting me. What do I do?

JonathanAnon

Hi guys, I know this is more a legal issue but I thought maybe a petowner here may have had previous experience of this.

As I mentioned in a previous posting here, I was bitten by a dog on Friday 13th February this year, appropriately enough. I called the guards when they didnt open the door to me. The owner rang me later that evening to say that they would cover my costs.

Forward to now, two letters later (one sent through the post and one hand delivered to a member of the family in the house) and I still havent been paid. I'm really angry about this, as I was trying to be decent and just charged them what it cost me and nothing for the inconvenience it caused me. What options do I have open to me, small claims court I'm assuming?

Vas_Guy

Did you try calling them, I suspose a solicitor's letter then the expense goes up, or legal action then the dog may have to be destroyed as a penalty.

They made a verbal agreement to pay the bill they have to stick to it.

Dusty87

they should consider themselves lucky you just want the bills payed and not their dog destroyed. I know a person around here who got an old womans collie destroyed because it bit her son.

kassie

I'd try ringing the dog owner or writing again. If no luck your only option is to contact the gardai or a solicitor and by doing that you may run the risk of having the dog pts and by the sounds of it you don't want that to happen, all you want is your costs for medical fees??? Are the fees high? Maybe ask the dog owner to pay in a few small instalments? or send him a copy of your medical fees in a letter/email?

JonathanAnon

The bill is €250 for this

should have shaved the leg.
It's pretty much fully cleared up now. small scar that will prob eventually heal fully so I'm not worried about that.

gino85

u mind me asking what type of dog it was? im pretty sure some dogs are not allowed in public areas without a muzzle on

doctor evil

Write to them again stating you will report to the Guards.

That's pretty bad that they won't pay up. They sound like the sort of people who wouldn't be bothered to treat their own dog let alone someone it has bitten!

Our man in Havana

This is really not the place for this.

Moving to Legal Discussion, API users please read the Legal Discussion Charter and note that it applies from this post on.

McCrack

Jonathan

If the owners are not playing ball with you and you want to recover damages for this injury just contact a solicitor to start or threaten proceedings.

Your legal costs will be met by the other side.