My cat was attacked yesterday by my neighbour's dog, which had escaped from their property.
I saw him get caught and pinned down by the dog before he managed to run off and take refuge up a tree.
My cat has a broken tail, and I've been left with a bill of around £100 in vet fees.
Can I send the invoice to my neighbour? The owner came to collect her dog from the bottom of the tree after we called her.
The dog escaped and came onto our property. My cat was out in my garden, which isn't fenced because it's a rental; it's a semi-detached house, so it's impossible to fence off due to a right of way for my other neighbours to get to their homes.
Thanks
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
Dogue de Bordeaux are massive! They weigh at least 132 lbs (over 9 stone), don't they? It’s great that they’ve admitted they were in the wrong and have taken out insurance, but that’s even more reason to encourage the neighbours to keep their dog on a lead and under supervision at all times. I’m not saying they’re an aggressive breed, but any dog, big or small—even the ones considered "gentle" or "who've never had an issue"—can just snap for no particular reason. They won't necessarily bite, but 132 lbs jumping up at you is going to hurt. If you decide to report it to the police for the record, you can do so at your local station without an appointment (so you'll need a bit of patience—it could take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy they are). Tell them you don't want to press charges, have your neighbour summoned, or take action against the dog, but you want a written record of what happened, just in case. The officer will log your statement and give you a reference number. This means there won’t be any follow-up and your neighbour won’t be called in; it’s simply a paper trail of what happened to have on hand if there’s ever another incident.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies. My cat is microchipped and up to date with her vaccinations. I spoke to the vet this afternoon, and they’ve found out she also has a crushed vertebra. Another problem has come up: she hasn't urinated yet, and the vet told us she might have to be put to sleep if she can’t go to the toilet. We’re waiting for more news tomorrow.
My partner went to see the dog's owner; they’re going to call their insurance to see if they're covered, otherwise they’ll pay for the treatment themselves. My 20-month-old daughter sometimes plays out in the garden, and I have to admit I’m scared for her. The dog wants to play, but he’s very stocky and muscular.
Hi, first of all, the dog should have been on a lead. Even if it escaped, it is still the owner's responsibility. Furthermore, the dog was on your land, so it entered your private property, whether it's fenced or not. Even if it’s just instinct, owners are responsible for their pets' actions. Since the owner arrived and you told and showed them that their dog injured your cat, you are well within your rights to go and see them immediately (don't wait a week, as people tend to "forget" quickly). You have the right to ask for the dog’s vaccination record to check everything is up to date, and you should show them your cat, the injury, and the vet bill. If they are honest, they will pay. If they do pay, make sure you keep a record of it (a copy of the bill, the amount settled, and a written note of the incident). Whether they pay or not, you must tell them that now they know what has happened, they need to keep a better eye on their dog and ensure their garden is properly fenced off. Neither they nor their dog should be entering your property unless they are just passing through, and the dog must be on a lead. I wouldn’t recommend trying to file a formal complaint for such a small amount (the police and the courts are already overwhelmed, otherwise you'd need to get a solicitor), but I would still suggest going to the police station as soon as possible to log the incident, regardless of whether the neighbour pays or not. Tell them exactly what happened, that you’re shocked, and that you’re worried about it happening again. This allows you to have a written record of what took place. If it happens again—another incident with your cat, another cat, or if the dog bites another dog or even a person—that police log will serve as proof that there is a history of incidents and that you’ve already asked your neighbour to be careful. At that point, a formal complaint would be much more likely to be accepted.
It all depends on how you get on with this neighbour:
- If you’re on good terms, go and have a friendly chat with him to explain the facts and the financial implications. If he’s a decent sort, he’ll settle the bill!
- If you don't get along, it’s better to go and see him with a third party who can act as a witness, just in case things turn nasty.
For now, you should check your insurance policy to see what your contract covers. Your insurer can then contact your neighbour, who likely has personal liability insurance; in principle, any damage caused by his dog should be covered. You might need to file a report with the police to get the ball rolling on the claim. Make sure you keep the vet’s bill and, if necessary, ask for a medical report from the vet detailing the trauma and any potential long-term consequences. Take photos of where the attack happened and, if you have a witness, that’s even better.
