My dog was attacked...what to do regarding bill?

[chitownbelle]

Hi, I usually post on H&F...
Tuesday, my life became a walking nightmare. My cat, the love of my life, passed away from gastric carcinoma at 3am, only 10 years old. I grieved all day, barely ate, barely slept. Then, at 9pm, 18 hours later, DH comes running in from walking our toy poodle. He was attacked by a Lab who lives in our building..I guess they were sniffing each other when DH was walking in and the other owner was walking out. The lab picked my dog up by his neck and thrashed him around. DH had to tackle the lab to get him to let go. We rushed him to the ER vet. At the time, they thought he had a punctured lung and neurological damage. As of this afternoon, the air under is skin is from the wound, and not the lungs, thank god. Neuro has cleared him for surgery to repair the wounds. He will need multiple surgeries...

Sorry so long, but the point is, we just moved into this building 3 weeks ago. I haven't even met these people...they left a note on our door when we were at the ER and DH has been texting with the owner. They are asking for updates on my dogs condition. No one yet has mentioned the bill. It is already sitting around $2,000. I have no clue if they are going to offer to pay, or if they think we will present them with the bill....which I most definitely will. I feel bad...it's Christmas, they have a child, etc etc, but they are responsible for my dog almost dying (the SAME day as me cat, no less)!

What do people do in these situations? I don't want awkward run-ins...but I dont want to get the police involved...DH is going to handle it all. I just want to know what people normally do???

Sorry for my novel, TIA for your opinions

[msmerymac]

Yes, you present them with the bill. And bring it up in a non-accusatory way. Since your DH has had the most contact with them, I'd wait until everything is over and then straighten it out.

"Thanks so much for your concern during Max's recovery. I did just want to bring over this copy of the medical bills we've recieved during the emergency visit and for the surgeries. Please let me know if you need any more documentation. Here's the vet's name and number, as well, in case you have any questions."

Don't be confrontational, just assume they will graciously accept and be willing to pay.

It's very possible they won't be able to afford all of it, and then you'll have to discuss if you're okay with partial payment or installments or something.

I'm sorry about your kitty and I hope your dog has a speedy recovery.

[mrs.jacinthe]

msmerymac has said it perfectly.

[osulori]

Chitown, I'm so sorry about your kitty and what happened to your pup

I would present the bill to your neighbors in the same manner that Msmerymac described. I hope they step up and do what's right. Crossing my fingers for a speedy recovery for your poodle!

[Deleted]

Ditto msmerry mac.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your cat and I hope your pup is back to normal soon!

[chitownbelle]

Thanks so much for the advice, we will definitely approach it that way. Today, the neighbors left a Get Well Soon card on our doorstep, along with some treats and christmas toys he will never play with, but it was a sweet gesture. It is going to be such an awkward situation once we present them with the bill....eek.

Our dog will come home tonight. He has to wear a tshirt bandage and get rechecked every 2 days. His skin is detached from his spine from the neck (where he was bitten) all the way to his hips! The shaking/thrashing detached the skin. If the skin doesn't reattach itself, he will have to be put to sleep. He is very old, so I am praying he is able to rejuvenate new skin and reattach.

I am delaying packing up my litter box...I put my cats food bowls in the cupboard today, and will give his newly opened treats to a friend...so devastated.

[urbancowgirl]

I don't have any additional advice, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am about the whole situation.

Well, one more thing- the lab's owners should be glad that all they're getting is a vet bill, and not a knock on the door from animal control or the police.

[independencegirl74]

Nothing additional to give you by means of advice, but just wanted to send along how sorry I am this all happened to you in one day. How awful. I'm so sorry for the loss of your kitty; I really hope your pup recovers as well.

[hz80408]

Along with the others, I think you've got some good advice from msmery. I'm so sorry for the loss of your cat and the addition stress of your poor dog!

[kellbell191]

At this point you're doing them a favor by not reporting their dog to animal control or the building management. So yes, give them the bill.