Tell me I did this right...

[Giselle]

Facts of the case:

As I was walking Giselle and Ivy, a neighbor's dog (who we've met before) was loose. Ivy is extremely leash reactive so I yelled (verbatim), "My dogs aren't friendly!!" (Giselle is friendly, but that takes too much time to spit out.)

Anyways, that wasn't even a problem because their dog came out and charged Giselle. My hands were literally tied then because I had to simultaneously protect Giselle and keep Ivy away from their dog. Obviously, I could only do one, so Giselle had to bear the brunt of the attack. The owner of the other dog immediately ran up and grabbed her and apologized. I was too shocked to reply, so I just continued our walk. When I went home, I saw a laceration about the size of a nickel on the side of Giselle's face. It looked pretty shallow, so I gave it 3 days to heal by itself.

By the third day, it didn't look right so I went to the e-vet. They just gave us antibiotics and told us to keep it clean. I sent our neighbors a letter explaining what happened, why I took Giselle to the vet, and that I would appreciate it if they paid the full cost of the bill. I included a copy of the receipt and pictures of the wound.

But I have this weird guilty feeling. These neighbors have been very nice to us and they like Ivy a lot. It also doesn't help that their dog is a Pittie. I've always been a champion of pitties (especially shelter pits), and it feels so odd now that we've actually been attacked by one. Our neighbors have not responded yet, and I just feel extremely nervous and guilty...Please, tell me I did this right...

[Karen]

You did the right thing. Don't feel guilty, and I am sure if they are dog lovers they will understand. They probably wouldn't want the police involved and the media because their dog is a pittie, so they'll appreciate you keeping it between you two.

[scrain2329]

You are 100% doing the right thing. Even if the neighbors dog wasnt a pittie, it is the right thing to keep it between the 2 of you, as well as ask them to pay for the billing.
Hopefully all is well with the puncture now : )

[bckrazy]

Omg. Poor little Giselle... she doesn't deserve to go through that, and neither do you.

Your neighbors made a mistake - and when people make mistakes, they SHOULD be accountable for any and all reprecussions of their mistake. Hopefully, when they see that bill and the statement that verifies that their dog actually hurt Giselle, they will re-think allowing their dog to roam off-leash. Don't feel guilty, at all, Sophie! You absolutely shouldn't be paying for the damage that some one else's dog inflicted, especially out of their own carelessness. I love Pitties, too, but GOD knows the last thing this breed needs is owners who allow their dogs to run amuck biting other dogs.

Gonzy says he wishes he could've been there to defend his boo!

[kt_luvs_kitties]

First off, I am sorry about Giselle, and for you. How scary!

Second, I think it is perfectly acceptable for you to ask for the bills to be covered. It is their fault their dog got loose. I know I would want to pay for ANY AND ALL damage my dog caused to someone elses property OR pets.

I would ask for proof of immunizations as well, to be on the safe side.

I also would have went to talk to them personally, because it is hard to get true emotions/expectations across through a letter. BUT nonetheless.. They should be more than willing to pay. If they are good owners, no hard feelings will come of this. GOOD LUCK! And kisses to Giselle.

[Ginger's Mom]

You did the right thing in presenting them with the bill. Since you said you had a good relationship with them I may have done it in person rather than by letter, but the fact that I am older has a lot to do with that (I don't think you should have). However, they should be responsible for the costs associated with the injury caused by their dog. Taz went after a friend's dog while we were talking about a month ago, and I offered to accompany her to the vet or pay the bill (just a little puncture under the eye-she said she would take care of it herself, no vet). They probably didn't realize that Giselle was actually injured at the time. I hope Giselle is feeling better.

[Giselle]

Thanks guys. Well, how's this for a positive update?

The owner of the dog called me this morning to apologize and gladly offered to pay the full cost of the bill. He also said he didn't feel comfortable knowing that Giselle and his dog would have this angst between them, so he wants the two dogs to re-meet each other in a controlled setting. The ONLY reason why I'm agreeing to this is because we've met his dog twice before and she *was* very dog friendly. I appreciate his wanting to work through it, so I'll give it one shot but I'll be insisting his dog be muzzled. I also intend to use the opportunity to tell him that, regardless of whether or not HIS dog is friendly, Ivy can never be approached by a loose dog. Hopefully, I can convey my message clearly enough that we won't have to go through this again...

Giselle is doing fine. Her wound looks a little angrier today, but I know all things get worse before they get better. Here's what it looked like yesterday:

You gotta love greyhound skin It wasn't bad on the first day, but then it got bigger and redder and puss-ier so now we're on meds just in case!

[scrain2329]

Thats a great update, I'm glad that they are choosing to do the right thing. I think a re meet is a great idea on his part and a muzzle is also a good thing : ) glad everything is turning out well.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

That is a GREAT update. Sounds like your neighbors are responsible dog lovers who want the best not only for their dogs, but their communities as well.

Does the heart good to know there are such responsible pet owners out there, and they are showing exactly what a pitbull owner should be. If all owners of pits were like them, Pits would not be condemned in the way they are!

Pets for Giselle!

[chocolatepuppy]

That's great news. Now poor Giselle needs to get all better.

[4 Dog Mother]

I am glad that all of this has been resolved and it came out well. An owner whose dog attacks another should be willing to pay the vet bills - and being one of those owners I have always asked if the dog is okay and let them know how to reach me if something showed up later. Thank God,(knock on wood), Dazzi seems to have mellowed in the last couple of years and doesn't do this anymore). Dazzi is a great dog but there are some breeds she doesn't (didn't) like and she would go after them. In response to the golden owner who took his time to get to Spirit Wind's aid, I always start running at her to get her to stop. One time she did do damage to a cocker spaniel at the Bowling Green Dog Park - I gave the lady my name and number and she called and sent the vet bill to me. I quickly paid it. And just so none of you feel the need to ask why I took her to dog parks when she did attack some---we could take Dazzi 100 times to a dog park and she wouldn't pay attention to a dog but if a golden retriever, cocker spaniel or short haired german pointer came in off she went (usually not always). If I saw them coming I would leash her until she met them and I could tell how she was going to react to them and sometimes she had to stay leashed or in the time out cage while the other dog was at the dog park. But there were several occasions (as in the cocker spaniel one) she seemed to be okay with them and then they would do something 5 or 10 minutes later and off she went.

I have seen greyhounds get hurt and with their skin, it always seems worse and harder to heal. I hope all will be better with Giselle soon and yes you did the right thing.

[Alysser]

Aw, Gissie always seems to get attacked. Poor girl. I hope she is doing better. That's great news about the other dogs owner, he sounds like a nice guy. Hopefully this was an isolated incident and he won't let it happen again.

[Ginger's Mom]

That is a GREAT update. Sounds like your neighbors are responsible dog lovers who want the best not only for their dogs, but their communities as well.

Does the heart good to know there are such responsible pet owners out there, and they are showing exactly what a pitbull owner should be. If all owners of pits were like them, Pits would not be condemned in the way they are!

Pets for Giselle!

This says everything I would want to say. Oh, except, let us know how the meet up goes.