What's The Right Thing To Do...

[MolassesLass]

I'm shocked by the figure compared to my bill...with a specialist...for a much larger dog...for a much more complicated surgery...with much longer care. What a bad owner I am! Someone call the RSPCA!

How do you know that this pup didn't have complicated surgery by an orthopedic specialist? How do you know what level of care the pup needed?

Why would you be a bad owner if you are unaware of the possible costs of intensive care hospitalisation and orthopedic surgery in certain Vet Hospitals on the north side of Brisbane?

You tell me, you're the one who said that other owners being shocked at the bill made you ill.

What exactly makes you sick when dog owners think the neighbours got scammed or the neighbours are trying to scam RL if it's not because you think that makes us bad owners?

[Pug Hugger]

I have been reading with interest - I sympathise with the decision the OP has to make and cannot really offer any more advice than that already given by some of the very smart people on DOL.

On price though, some of you may remember Louie had to have surgery a while back, he went to a specialist and was only in one night and it was still $3,700 (which we blinked at, but paid ). I don't think the $4,000 is over the top given the out of hours 'timing' and the fact the pup was in was it for a few days?

Please keep us updated OP, I hope you come to a decision that sits well with your sensibilities and keeps the peace

[Clyde]

Put a nice $100 note in a card and write a brief note offering your support if they need it. Perhaps recommend a good vet and/or any contacts you have for physio and rehab because no doubt the poor little tyke is going to need it long term.

I would find that insulting and as though I'd been slapped in the face. Best not paying anything at all if $100 is all that is on offer.

I agree with the gift idea though, a case of wine or something.

Edited March 4, 2010 by Clyde

[ellz]

Put a nice $100 note in a card and write a brief note offering your support if they need it. Perhaps recommend a good vet and/or any contacts you have for physio and rehab because no doubt the poor little tyke is going to need it long term.

I would find that insulting and as though I'd been slapped in the face. Best not paying anything at all if $100 is all that is on offer.

I agree with the gift idea though, a case of wine or something.

Gee Clyde, how on earth did I know that of all the responses MINE would be the one you'd have to disagree with the most strenuously!

[mita]

Paying something to them for their vet bill (which I disagree with given the circumstances you posted) is not an admission of guilt or responsibility - it is a gesture of goodwill.

If you do chose to pay something then make it clear to them you are paying it as a gesture of goodwill. They'll be hard pressed to later claim you admitted your dog was at fault.

In addition - in NSW for example the Civil Liability Act actually states that an apology is not an express or implied admission of guilt or fault. Same applies in QLD under their Act but from memory its an expression of regret (compared to apology).

On a court of competent jurisdiction can determine liability

Thanks. I'd never had a clear understanding of this.

[Greytmate]

You tell me, you're the one who said that other owners being shocked at the bill made you ill.

What exactly makes you sick when dog owners think the neighbours got scammed or the neighbours are trying to scam RL if it's not because you think that makes us bad owners?

Sorry that was a really bad choice of phrase, and it sounded harsh.

I just felt ill because of what I know.

I was speaking with the thoughts going through my mind of dogs that I know that didn't make it, because they were left at unstaffed vet clinics. And also of my own experiences in dealing with some of the hospitals, one in particular.

The difference in care you can choose to pay for is truly eye-opening. You would expect if a human went to hospital for two days after an accident, the actual cost of this would be tens of thousands. There are vets willing to provide a service to animals that is almost as good. It can make an enormous difference to the outcome for the dog, and I just don't think people realise how vast the difference is between the level of care you can get at different facilities.

So sorry if I offended anyone, but I wanted people to understand that vet costs can easily run into the thousands at some facilities. At the time you just have to decide what is right for the dog. Having health insurance will increase the options for some owners.

[StaceyB]

Well thanks guys, people were asked for opinions, I gave mine and got kicked in the guts repeatedly by poster after poster. And as for the PM I got, I have never received such a nasty, bullying, hurtful PM on any forum before.

Sorry if my comments made you feel that way, you are of course entitled to give your opinion. I was simply trying to point out that in this situation the OP had done everything (and more) that they are required to do in order to contain their dogs, there is no medical evidence to prove that the Rotti actually bit the pup and no-one actually saw what happened so they have no legal or moral responsibility for the vet care of this pup.

[MolassesLass]

You tell me, you're the one who said that other owners being shocked at the bill made you ill.

What exactly makes you sick when dog owners think the neighbours got scammed or the neighbours are trying to scam RL if it's not because you think that makes us bad owners?

Sorry that was a really bad choice of phrase, and it sounded harsh.

I just felt ill because of what I know.

I was speaking with the thoughts going through my mind of dogs that I know that didn't make it, because they were left at unstaffed vet clinics. And also of my own experiences in dealing with some of the hospitals, one in particular.

The difference in care you can choose to pay for is truly eye-opening. You would expect if a human went to hospital for two days after an accident, the actual cost of this would be tens of thousands. There are vets willing to provide a service to animals that is almost as good. It can make an enormous difference to the outcome for the dog, and I just don't think people realise how vast the difference is between the level of care you can get at different facilities.

So sorry if I offended anyone, but I wanted people to understand that vet costs can easily run into the thousands at some facilities. At the time you just have to decide what is right for the dog. Having health insurance will increase the options for some owners.

I understand now - lucky, or there would have been an interesting bitch fight next time I saw you. hehehe

[APBT]

TBH, $4000, i wouldent pay a cent.

[indigirl]

Wow thats a huge vet bill! If it were me I think I would go with a doggy hamper or gift voucher to a doggy supply place, and a nice bottle of wine for the them. Fact is their dog injured itself and thats part of dog ownership.

[angelsophie]

Maybe offer to purchase a crate if the pup needs to be confined with a nice blanket/bed. If they dont already have one it will just be another expense ontop of the vet bill that they will have to go get - with an interesting toy or two for the boredom it might help?? And offer to make sure the fence is all good before he gets home. Even though you have done everything with your fences I guess if you tell them your willing to make sure there are no gaps at your expense it also becomes one less thing to worry about.

This might be a way of easing the financial burden a bit without seeming tight. Its a practical gesture of goodwill which shows that you do care.

I agree if I was the owner of the pup I'd be annoyed at myself - not you OR your dog. I dont think you do "own" any of the responsibility of the bill.

Bec

[RL1]

So many replies and good advice, but i can't quote and give my thoughts on them all.

Just to clarify, the 13 week old pup suffered a clean break on the upper front leg, a couple breaks on the lower leg, some "lacerations"that are

not known how they were caused. Possibly a couple minor puncture's, but again this is not clear either. Plus of course the x-rays, surgery and pain relief ect ect. The pup was there from Sunday night to Wednesday afternoon.

They expect it to make a full recovery and be back to normal in several weeks.

IMO if my 55 - 60kg rottweiler had attacked and bitten a 13 week old puppy, the injury to the leg would be different. There wasn't any blood. My dog wasn't growling, nor barking.

I think the damage was caused from the force of the fence against the pups leg, plus any twisting that may have happened.

In regards to the cost of the bill, i can only go by what i was told. i haven't seen the bill. I'd be very surprised if they weren't telling me the truth.

The puppy was treated at a vet clinic at Albany Creek. I think it's also like an ER clinic too.

Everyone i've spoken to about this has told me not to pay a cent. I already told them i would contribute, but i didn't mention a figure.

[Crisovar]

For those of you claiming that the $4000 is too high...

If the pup had broken bones, it is important that they are set properly so they heal properly. We don't know if the bones were shattered or split or whatever.

If the dog needed to stay in one of the really good Brisbane vet Hospitals (not vet clinics), and needed orthopaedic surgery, then the bill could easily be that high.

To hear people carry on about the bill is making me feel quite ill. If my dogs was that severely injured I wouldn't just take him to a clinic, I would take him to a vet hospital, and I would expect to pay thousands. I would expect more people here to be like that too.

If people are shocked by that figure, maybe they should get health insurance for their dog. Because the alternative might be to take your dog to a cheap unstaffed clinic where it could fade quickly and die in the middle of the night. But hey, they would only charge about $500, is that what people want for their dogs?

I do think 4000 sounds high and yep I have many years exp as a Vet Nurse.

I'll hand you a vomit bag, but 4000 is big bill. Reasonably priced does not always equate to crap care.

[Cairo1]

Oh Crap!! What an awful situation to be in. . . . You made your fence safe and suitable for your dogs and really, your neighbours should have done the same when they got their little dog. Having said all that, there is great value in having good neighbours and this is something that could well have been ugly. Yes, I agree with many of the posters. I think $1000 is too much, $400 too low. . . . I think if you offer to pay $800 then that is a good compromise. It appears that your dog probably did no harm and it would have been a bitter pill to swallow had any demands been made. The other thing I would do is, find out where the dog was treated and pay the $800 off at the surgery rather than handing it over to them. Then I would hand them a receipt. I know that if I were the owner of the little dog, I would be extremely grateful for any help with a bill that large!

Good luck with it and go with your heart!! It is usually right!!

Cairo1

[Clyde]

Put a nice $100 note in a card and write a brief note offering your support if they need it. Perhaps recommend a good vet and/or any contacts you have for physio and rehab because no doubt the poor little tyke is going to need it long term.

I would find that insulting and as though I'd been slapped in the face. Best not paying anything at all if $100 is all that is on offer.

I agree with the gift idea though, a case of wine or something.

Gee Clyde, how on earth did I know that of all the responses MINE would be the one you'd have to disagree with the most strenuously!

Um, probably because I really don't agree with what you have said - makes no difference to me who types the words, it's what the words are saying. You're a bit touchy aren't you?

[RL1]

Good Grief - thats the best fence in Australia! How on earth could you have done any better to protect your dog and any one else's?

The backyard is the same as the front sides. I built it for privacy and to safely secure large dogs, such as my Rotty's.

[RL1]

Hi Rottylover

I was wondering about you saying that the fence is within your property. If this is the case, what happened to the original fence, or wasn't there one?

I guess I'd be concerned if you had removed the existing boundary fence to build your fence, as your neighbours could argue that their pup was injured because you removed and didnt replace the boundary fence (regardless of how good the new fence within your property is!). If there was no existing boundary fence, then the pup's owners probably wouldnt have a case in saying that you were negligent, as they were making use of your enclosure, instead of creating one of their own.

A bit OT I know - I am just interested in the fence not-on-the boundary thing, as I have considered teh same thing and wondered about the legal implications.

Hi

The original fence was a pine timber fence in bad condition, that was falling apart, which was on the neighbours property. At that time, the property was a rental and the guy who lived there had a GSD that would hit the fence and the palings would pop off.

I went ahead and built my fence inside the boundary and paid for the lot. I didn't involve anyone else, just went ahead and built mine on my property. Not long after, the home was sold

and the current owners removed what was left of the old pine fence. So i guess that was their decision to rip out the old fence.

I don't know about the legal issues. Fence's seem to be a big problem between a lot of neighbours. I haven't had any dramas here, i think everyone around here enjoys the privacy.

[kamuzz]

Instead of giving them money offer to come over and help them patch up the fence from their side so that this can NEVER happen again. If it makes you feel better tell them that you will pay for the materials and do the work for them.

I know I'd much prefer a neighbour who was honest and wanted to be part of the solution rather than one who threw a bit of money over the fence and said "well now it's not my problem".

I think this is a great idea - the patching up the fence bit.

[Longcoat]

I say you should pay the lot but I know I am alone here. (You asked )

Uhm, why do you think the OP should pay the entire bill?

If her dog had not been there, I doubt there would have been an injury.I agree with lorraine, people get talking to rellies, around the water cooler at work, etc.

And can I add that situations and peoples attitudes can change. Currently going through a situation with a tenant which started out fantastic for about 5 years and has now turned sour.

If the car wasn't there, the dog wouldn't have got hit..........so it's the car drivers fault for a dog escaping it's yard is the same thing

[angelsophie]

I say you should pay the lot but I know I am alone here. (You asked )

Uhm, why do you think the OP should pay the entire bill?

If her dog had not been there, I doubt there would have been an injury.I agree with lorraine, people get talking to rellies, around the water cooler at work, etc.

And can I add that situations and peoples attitudes can change. Currently going through a situation with a tenant which started out fantastic for about 5 years and has now turned sour.

If the car wasn't there, the dog wouldn't have got hit..........so it's the car drivers fault for a dog escaping it's yard is the same thing

see I would have said if the dog wasnt on the road the dog wouldnt have got hit given that the roads primary use is for cars not dogs