What's The Right Thing To Do...

[blacklabrador]

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 puppy didn't stick its foot under the fence it wouldn't have happened.

See therein lies the problem. Many sides to the story.

Currently we have gaps along a fence where a lawnmower contractor of a neighbour keeps continually hitting the fence. Our puffball and the neighours puffball continually have "words" through the gap. If our dog gets injured putting her face through a gap the neighbours indirectly have caused who is to blame? I am just saying that there are many sides to a story, that's all.

If you are aware of any gaps you must rectify the situation ASAP. Knowing there are gaps and doing nothing about it would leave your dog at risk. I would also recommend that you get a fence which isn't so fragile that it breaks by being hit by a lawnmower. Reinforce it from your side if you don't want to or can't replace the fence. The sound of two yappy little shits "having words" through the fence must drive the rest of your neighbours absolutely nuts.

[blacklabrador]

3 weeks to heal from multiple fractures? Something sounds a little fishy there...

The bones of children and young animals heal amazingly fast. There is no reason to suspect why there wouldn't be a boney callous in place within 3 weeks on a very young pup. The muscles etc would take longer.

[RL1]

Bumping this thread up -

OP, have you worked out what you're going to do? Personally I think that if you offer $500 it would be sufficient. Any amount over that is a tad overkill IMO.

No, i've been putting it off. Still unsure which way to go.

A week today since it happened. I saw the pup out today in it's yard having a walk around. He was dragging the front leg of course.

I noticed them having to get him away from the fence this morning. If they're not careful, they might be up for another $4000.

[iffykharma]

It wasn't West Chermside. It was at Albany Creek.

The strange part is the owner said the pup will be back to his normal self in about 3 weeks. You'd think it would take longer with the type of injury the pup has.

Two things

1st - If its the ER at Albany Creek, I think it is also a specialist centre, so a bill like that in a few days wouldn't be unusual.

2nd - being back to his normal self doesn't necessarily mean "healed". I'm sure you've all had a broken bone, or known someone who's had a broken bone, or had a animal with a broken bone, who after the first few weeks are getting around pretty much like normal but with a few restrictions. I don't see this as being suspicious. And in my experience, limited as it may be, animals are far more resilient than people.

RottyLover, hope you are able to come to a decision for yourself that feels right. Given what they've said to you they sound like reasonable people. Don't over-think it. If you're a handy sort of person, offer to help them mend the fence. If you feel you really want to contribute some funds towards the bill, write a cheque with a note or card and keep a photocopy of both for your records.

Good luck!

[RL1]

Two things

1st - If its the ER at Albany Creek, I think it is also a specialist centre, so a bill like that in a few days wouldn't be unusual.

2nd - being back to his normal self doesn't necessarily mean "healed". I'm sure you've all had a broken bone, or known someone who's had a broken bone, or had a animal with a broken bone, who after the first few weeks are getting around pretty much like normal but with a few restrictions. I don't see this as being suspicious. And in my experience, limited as it may be, animals are far more resilient than people.

RottyLover, hope you are able to come to a decision for yourself that feels right. Given what they've said to you they sound like reasonable people. Don't over-think it. If you're a handy sort of person, offer to help them mend the fence. If you feel you really want to contribute some funds towards the bill, write a cheque with a note or card and keep a photocopy of both for your records.

Good luck!

Yes, it was BVSC. Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre, Albany Creek.

They don't do general consults or any general veterinary care.

[Kissindra]

pup is in good hands there.

[OMD²]

They took him to a great place They are all so helpful there and as I said before a bill of $4000 is what I would expect and more. I hope the little guy heals well and there isn't any long going issues for him.. especially as he grows.

[rexiam]

What a terrible situation you are in

I wouldn't be paying anything towards the bill. You or your dog did nothing wrong. You sound like a dream of a next door neighbour.

If the pup had shown injury due to your dog trying to hurt it ( which there was none) then yes I would want to contribute. It was an accident that happened and the owners of puppy need to be responsible. That is what pet ownership is all about.

You are struggling with it because you are a good person. If it was reversed would you expect them to pay?

If you really want to do something, then some of the suggestions have been great. I think a small token gift , just to say I hope pup recovers soon.

Sometimes things just happen and for puppy's owners it was obviously a lesson they needed to learn about pet ownership.

Goodluck with what you decided. Do what you feel is right, not what you feel guilty for.

and in regards to confidentiality...when Molly passed and my breeder rang my vet to see if I was a client as he had lost my number...well they not only passed my number on to him, but told him what had happened to Molly and Chuzzy, the whole case. This breeder lives about 6 hours from where I live. Don't be so sure about the confidential side of things.

Edited March 7, 2010 by rexiam

[OSoSwift]

If there side of the fence is still the same maybe offer to fix it up, that way you will not be in the same situation again - even though I do not believe you are in any way at fault. You are obviously torn as you are a caring person.

If the fence is fixed (on their side) then you can both breathe a little easier, as for wether or not to pay anything off the bill, well I am just glad it isn't me as I think I would be in the same situation of not being able to make up my mind.

Good luck and they are very lucky people to have you as their neighbour.

Oh also if the fractures were greenstick ones - quite likely in such a young animal- they do heal quite quickly as they are not broken and displaced like a normal fracture.

[RL1]

Sometimes things just happen and for puppy's owners it was obviously a lesson they needed to learn about pet ownership.

Rexiam, it's an expensive lesson. $800 for the pup about 5 weeks ago and now a vet bill in excess of $4000. They did refer to him as the golden boy.

[RL1]

If there side of the fence is still the same maybe offer to fix it up, that way you will not be in the same situation again - even though I do not believe you are in any way at fault. You are obviously torn as you are a caring person.

If the fence is fixed (on their side) then you can both breathe a little easier, as for wether or not to pay anything off the bill, well I am just glad it isn't me as I think I would be in the same situation of not being able to make up my mind.

Good luck and they are very lucky people to have you as their neighbour.

Oh also if the fractures were greenstick ones - quite likely in such a young animal- they do heal quite quickly as they are not broken and displaced like a normal fracture.

Nothing has been done to fix the gap, as yet. I did notice the pup heading back towards the same spot this morning and they had to call him back. He is up and about, just has

no use of the front leg.

I haven't let my dog out the front without supervision yet.

[Mas1981]

This is a difficult situation and contributing to the vet bill depends totally on your financial situation. I find it also a but strange that they have made no move to sort out their side of the fence so that it cannot happen again. Are they perhaps renting and are not allowed to do anything to the house?

[Fourjays]

Well to me, the obvious thing is that I'd just go and get that hole at the bottom of the fence fixed, so they don't ahve to worry about it, they're probably worried enough as it is right now. I'd just do it.'

I don't think anyone is really at fault, it was just an accident, a very unfortunately and costly one at that.

I think I'd be inclined to contribute as well cause I'd just feel so awful if that sort of thing happened to me. I wouldn't say an amount though, I'd offer to pay for the x-ray costs, or the overnight hospitalisation fees but definately no drug costs (that's where the expenses are usually). Buy a 'get well soon' card and stay in touch with them to make sure the pups recovery goes well. That way they will know you care. Nothign worse than something like this happening and you don't hear anything from the other person - that tends to get people angry and is when problems start.

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.

[RL1]

This is a difficult situation and contributing to the vet bill depends totally on your financial situation. I find it also a but strange that they have made no move to sort out their side of the fence so that it cannot happen again. Are they perhaps renting and are not allowed to do anything to the house?

No, they bought the home. They've spent a small fortune on it.

[tdierikx]

Is it possible to patch any puppy sized gaps on your side of the fence? If only for your own piece of mind...

The neighbours have had a whole week to make some move to fix their side of the fence - is there any reason why they can't have done it?

T.

[Mas1981]

This is a difficult situation and contributing to the vet bill depends totally on your financial situation. I find it also a but strange that they have made no move to sort out their side of the fence so that it cannot happen again. Are they perhaps renting and are not allowed to do anything to the house?

No, they bought the home. They've spent a small fortune on it.

Now if it was my puppy that got hurt and I owned the house I would have fixed the fence the very next day to prevent it happening again!

[OSoSwift]

Is it possible to patch any puppy sized gaps on your side of the fence? If only for your own piece of mind...

The neighbours have had a whole week to make some move to fix their side of the fence - is there any reason why they can't have done it?

T.

Yep I agree, maybe even get some small mesh to attach to the bottom of the fence so it at least cannot reach your side.

[RL1]

Is it possible to patch any puppy sized gaps on your side of the fence? If only for your own piece of mind...

The neighbours have had a whole week to make some move to fix their side of the fence - is there any reason why they can't have done it?

T.

It would be easy to patch up from the other side. They have the posts/rails on their side.

There's no reason why the fence could not have been patched up by now, none at all.

[tdierikx]

Maybe an offer to help them patch their side of the fence to keep their baby safe in future might be a neighbourly thing to do - rather than coughing up money for the vet bill that is obviously their fault...

T.

[mutt lover]

I think you do not owe them anything as it was their dog that got under fence not yours then I would of offered money for vet bill, And they still have not done anything to fix hole? then IMO they don't care too much to prevent it happening again if you give them money now and it happens again what are you supposed to keep giving them money cause they can't be bothered doing something about it. By all means speak to them and tell them that you are concerned about their little dog getting hurt again and you are more than happy to help them fix the fence that IMO is being a good neighbour, and you shouldn't be made to feel guilty as it wasn't your dog's fault and now you have to supervise your dog when outside as they haven't fixed the problem As others have said perhaps you could put some mesh or even pour some concrete under the area of the fence but the dog will probably find somewhere else to dig a hole anyway is really up to the owners to keep their little dog away from fence.