my 4 month husky pup onlead was attacked by 2 fully grown off lead mastiffs - need advise

[slick132]

Hi Skyee and welcome to CAG

 

I think your letter needs improvement and suggest the following :-

 

Dear Mr xxxxxx

 

Vet fees incurred after your dogs attacked my dog

 

On the evening of 22nd February 2016 at about xxxx time, your 2 Bull Mastiffs who were both off lead in a Public Area attacked our 3 month Husky puppy who we had on lead causing severe injuries to Summers outer and inner left back leg and several puncture wounds around her backside and genital area.

 

After the attack on our dog, Summer, you immediately left the area with your dogs not leaving your name and address, with no offer of support or any concern for our dog's condition. Luckily there were several people who had witnessed the attack and informed us of your address. We visited you on xxdate and you admitted you and/or your dogs were at fault. You offered to pay £500 towards Summers vet fees and promised to keep your dogs on lead and muzzled in the future.

 

After the attack, Summer was rushed to emergency vets at Gateshead where she was kept overnight after an emergency operation. Summer had internal and external stitching, antibiotics and pain killers. Summer has had several post op visits to the vet and was given more pain killers/antibiotics and her wound had to be re- stapled.

 

Summer has not regained full activity. She continues to limp; she has suffered muscle wastage in her leg; she has to have x-rays and further investigations carried out; she remains on pain killing medication.

 

Our current vet fees stand at £???? less £500 received from yourself (copy documents enclosed) but this will increase due to ongoing treatment needed to support her recovery.

 

Our pet insurance covers treatment up to £xxxx and we require confirmation from you that you will cover any vets' fees in excess of this, incurred as a result of your dogs' attack.

 

If you have pet insurance that covers you for fees incurred as a result of your dogs attacking mine, please forward details of then insurer and reference number, so that I can pass this on to my pet insurer.

 

If you fail to respond positively within 14 days, I will take further action to recover losses incurred as a result of your failure to control your dogs.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mr and Mrs Skyee

 

I've left out certain items which I think are not relevant or necesary.

 

However, before you use this, can you tell us :-

 

1. What your pet insurer has said about the incident. If they have to pay out as a result of someone else's negligence, are they likely to pursue the Mastiffs' owner.

 

2. Do you know if the owner has pet insurance.

 

3. Approx what fees have been incurred so far.

 

4. Up to what amount will your insurer cover.

 

Edited March 30, 2016 by slick132
added about him giving insurance details

[slick132]

Hi Skyee,

 

I think you should talk to your insurer and find out if they'll seek reimbursement from the Mastiffs' owner.

 

Then send the letter to the Mastiffs' owner. I've added a paragraph about him possibly having pet insurance that may cover damage caused to your dog.

 

I think you also need to make your own complaint to the police about the incident, particularly as he's allowing the dogs off-lead and maybe unmuzzled. Don't let the police fob you off and make a complaint to them in writing if necessary.

 

[slick132]

A further thought ...........

 

Do you have home insurance.

 

If so, you should check to see if you have your own Legal Cover. It may provide access to a solicitor or legal team to help you recover any uninsured losses.

 

Or you may at least have access to free legal advice.

 

[slick132]

You could also look at this link about the Dangerous Dogs Act - https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview

 

[slick132]

If Bankfodder has asked for the name of the dogs' owner, post it !!