My doggie was attacked by an American Pitbull!!!!!!!
I am mad this morning and shocked. Yesterday my 16 year old daughter who is only 87 pounds soaking wet was walking my 19 month old Jack Russell Terrier and the little girl she is watching (along with her dog, a bulldog) in base housing and the American Pitbull that my neighbors are dog sitting broke his collar and leash and ran after my dog. He pummeled my dog and then pounced on him and was trying to get to his neck but my dog is a squirmer and he got out of his grips and took off running (he can run like an olympic track star) and the dog kept chasing him until my dog got him in the house. Well, the neighbors came over and began apologizing profusely and asking if my dog was okay and I told them he was shaken up but he seemed okay. After they left and I was comforting him that is when I saw all the cuts he had on his front and hind paws and he had a bruise in his groin area that looked like someone balled up their fist and punched him! Well, I got in my car and went over to talk to them and get their info and that is when they told me it wasn't their dog and they are just dog sitting. The wife tells me she doesn't even like the dog, and she has a chihuahua that they won't let near the dog. She said the dog has all of his shots and is nice to people but aggressive with animals. I told them that I tried calling my regular vet and they were closing and couldn't see my dog so we have to take him to the emergency room (which I knew would not be cheap), so they told me to keep them posted. I took him in, they ran test checked his bruises and cleaned him up and said he was lucky and that he had no internal injuries. They gave him shots for pain and antibiotics and when I left their I felt violated...the bill was $191.45!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so now money I had other plans for is gone.
The neighbors came by after we got back to see how my doggie is doing and they were happy he is okay but they didn't offer to help pay any of the vet bill...they just LEFT!!!! I didn't ask for any money last night, but I need some 
QUESTION: Is it wrong for me to ask them to pay his vet bill since they weren't outside with the dog (even if they couldn't have stopped him from attacking) and it's not their dog they were just sitting?
QUESTION: Is it wrong for me to ask them to pay his vet bill since they weren't outside with the dog (even if they couldn't have stopped him from attacking) and it's not their dog they were just sitting? 
Sorry about your love one getting hurt. It does not matter that its not their dog. I would talk with an attorney or call your local court house & see what you have to do to take them to small claims court. Even if they believe they were not responsible they were at that time. Make sure you get pictures of your love one now which shows all his cuts & bruises, as well as an extra copy of the vet bill and a statement from your vet as to his injuries. I would make accountable the dog was on their property, they stated they were sitting for him and guess what, they are responsible. Hope this helps!
NO offense to anyone but IMHO, people sould really think twice or even thrice b4 taking someone to court. Yeah they should have offered to pay. That would have been in good tast, but naturally people try to protect their money until they HAVE to face facts, they're responsible. I would talk to them. When someone bounce a check to me, I call once, assuming they meant no harm, call again, maybe they didnt get the message and then I make it clear I intend to be paid, but am calling as a courtosy. They we play hard ball. I just think You would get a better result if you left the courts to play their intended role. A last resort when two parties can't come to a desicion.
They are responsible for paying the bills fully unless you were in the wrong some way (No leash on your dog) They should have a proper collar on the dog and should be held responsible. I had a labrador attack my beagle a few months ago and thank god the woman right away offered to pay. I agree, send them the bill, and if you don't get a response, then go to the next step.
Roshelle
First, I'm sorry this happened, and I'm gald that your dog is doing better. No, it isn't wrong for you to ask tehm to pay the bill.. they may have just been dog sitting, but they accepted responsibility for the dog and all that he does while in their care... and if they don't..then get the name of the 'owner' and go after them.
Well that sucks! I hate to hear stories like this one. I raised American Pit Bull Terriers for 8 years up until last year when I went back to work. I had owned over 100 different ones from puppies to elders and I can proudly say all of my dogs coexisted with each other and never had dog aggression. Ya know, there are all different bloodlines in the breed but, dog aggression can be handled early on in puppyhood and don't let them tell you certain bloodlines can't be controlled for animal aggression. Yes there are certain bloodlines within the breed that are more likely to be animal aggressive, BUT, confronted early can be changed and controlled. I am sooooo sorry for your little one, I only wish he could have encountered one of MY APBT's instead of one that was raised with an uneducated owner. My dogs love other dogs, cats, squirrels birds, or whatever. They love people and are the most worthless guard or watch dogs on the earth lol. I only have 2 APBT's now but I also own 2 tea cup Chihuahuas who pose more of a threat with their barking to strangers and other animals than my pit bulls. Still, they all live in the same house TOGETHER and there is never any harm not even over food. The Chihuahuas rule the food bowl and when they are done eating my pit bulls wait patiently until their turn to eat. I truly hope this event doesn't sway you to believe they are all like this. I defend the APBT but also know there are alot of people who own them solely for protection (which is the worst thing you can get a pit bull for) or to make themselves look tough. Pit Bulls come into the world loving & trusting people, they are only trained by those people to not trust us and to become aggressive. Its so sad. They are the most wanted but feared breed in the world. Raised in a loving environment they are the most loyal animal alive. Good luck with your neighbors, I would probably bet they don't feel responsible to pay your vet bill since it wasn' their dog, however, the dog was in their possession at the time of the incident and whether they like it or not its their responsibility to AT LEAST help with compensation, they can take up their debt with the dogs owner on their own time. Best wishes on your pups and YOUR recovery. -Michele
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