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aaronck · 10-03-2014, 11:12 AM

Summary-
My friend adopted a dog last year from the Humane Society, and it turns out it has aggression issues with other dogs (lots of barking/ lunging). She took it though training with the Humane Society, then took it to Dogma and signed up for specialty classes with Dogma for dogs with this issue. The dog is never off leash because of these issues, but seemed to be improving until...

Last Thursday returning from an outing, she opened the door to her car in her condo complex and before she could grab his collar, he jumped out and attacked a small dog up the road in her condo complex. The dog was badly hurt and she took the dog/owner to emergency, paid the $1500 bill, and surrendered her dog the next day. She's paid a few smaller bills since, but can't afford much more, and asked to be told before authorizing any more bills as she can't afford it.

The owner texted this morning and stated she was back at the vet, the dog has a collapsed lung, and the bill would be $9000, or the dog needed to be put down. I believe she has done what she can, has been contrite, but will be put into financial difficulties for this, and what would surely be forthcoming bills.
The owner has threatened to lawyer up a few times now, is this a small claims matter? Legal issue? The dog has never attacked like this before, and is never at large otherwise.

10-03-2014, 11:12 AM	#1
aaronck Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Sep 2009 Exp:	Dog Attack- Liability question Summary- My friend adopted a dog last year from the Humane Society, and it turns out it has aggression issues with other dogs (lots of barking/ lunging). She took it though training with the Humane Society, then took it to Dogma and signed up for specialty classes with Dogma for dogs with this issue. The dog is never off leash because of these issues, but seemed to be improving until... Last Thursday returning from an outing, she opened the door to her car in her condo complex and before she could grab his collar, he jumped out and attacked a small dog up the road in her condo complex. The dog was badly hurt and she took the dog/owner to emergency, paid the $1500 bill, and surrendered her dog the next day. She's paid a few smaller bills since, but can't afford much more, and asked to be told before authorizing any more bills as she can't afford it. The owner texted this morning and stated she was back at the vet, the dog has a collapsed lung, and the bill would be $9000, or the dog needed to be put down. I believe she has done what she can, has been contrite, but will be put into financial difficulties for this, and what would surely be forthcoming bills. The owner has threatened to lawyer up a few times now, is this a small claims matter? Legal issue? The dog has never attacked like this before, and is never at large otherwise.