Present her with the bill.

There's a possibility that she won't say anything so you may want to think about how you would bring up the topic. Whether or not you want her to pay the vet bill is something you'll have to decide for yourself. But I think your neighbor must be told about the bite, she needs to be aware that it wasn't a little nip and that her dog may have an aggressive nature. I hope her dog is up to date on shots.

I'd say it as simply as possible. Decide if you want to speak to her in person or talk to her over the phone. Just say that there's something you need to talk to her about and then tell her what happened. .

Well, she is going to be your neighbor for a while. I'm guessing she was as surprised as you, during the attack.
I'm thinking you'll want to be on good terms and have a friendship. So as much as I want to tell you be totally honest, and I do advise that, it seems you will have to pad your words but be frank about the not so nice relationship the dogs have. I know your last neighbors were heck and you want a fresh start.
Do you think she is thoughtful of your family? Does she seem friendly when you see her? How do you see her interacting with the kids as the years go by? How you react can change the whole friendship formula.
You know, just be yourself. Give her the short version if she asks. Tell her you hope to see her but the dogs will have to stay apart for now . It would be a great neighbor to split the vet bill but I don't know her finances or thoughts on it.

Hmm

I would say something like

Yes, the bite ended up worse than first thought. We had to take "dog" to the vet.

Now, if she doesn't bring it up, I would still bring it up I think.

Just to let he know, she will have to keep a tighter hold on the leash!

Oh, Susie, you know, the other day when your dog bit our dog? Well, it was quite a bit worse than first thought. He had to have stitches. I just want to alert you.

Then, avoid her, when you walk your dog, and she has her dog out.

Moni

I'm very surprised that the vet didn't follow through with the medical ramifications that can come from a bite. I would think that they would have to release their dog's medical records (vaccination history) to your vet.

If the vet hasn't already contacted her, and they should even if it isn't law, since the wound got infected right away, I would just nicely mention to her what had happened after the bite. There might be a medical problem with her dog to have caused the infection. If you don't want her to pay the bill, tell her you are not telling her because you want her to pay, you are telling her so she can have her dog checked to make sure it isn't ill.

Tami

Her dog should have been tested for rabies, necessitating a call from the vet to her. At the very least, you can tell her what happened and ask for the paper showing that her dog is current on his shots.

Since you were walking the dogs together, I don't think you can hold her responsible - just my opinion. I'd tell her about the vet bills, but I wouldn't blame her or hold her responsible.

I do not think you can blame your neighbour for the infection since the wound couldn't be cleaned promptly but I would tell her casually and as non confrontionally as possible what the outcome was when you see her next. It may be that behavioural remediation classes are needed but that is something for your neighbour to decide on her own. You will probably need to cross the street when you are walking your dogs and at least your neighbour will realise why you are avoiding contact so that you can remain on good terms.

We weren't walking together. Dh and I were going one way and she another. We just stopped to chat for a little while.

We don't know her that well. We just moved here this summer. I haven't had problems with her or other neighbors. Maybe you're thinking of someone else.

My neighbor said the dog is 15 years old and blind??? Not sure if maybe there is another problem there. It is an indoor dog. My dog is current on all shots including rabies. I had all of the shots updated in July.

Thanks! I have some ideas on what to say.

Wouldn't one's (hers) homeowner's insurance cover the costs, so it wouldn't actually be out of her pocket?

Just wondering.

Oh yes, you have some good ideas here.

Another thing you can think about is what if your dog bit another dog and it needed medical attention. I think you would want to know. (I would!)

So sorry this happened. Dogs can be unpredictable sometimes. The good thing is that your dear pup is ok.

I would open the conversation, by asking her if her dogs shots are current~~she will say yes/no and most likely ask why, then go into the situation with the vet and all.

I wouldn't just present her with the bill. That's negatively aggressive and confrontational.

When you see her again, you could casually mention it, saying that you just want her to know so that she can be aware as her dog meets up with other dogs. Say that it turned out to be more than either of you initially thought.

If she asks for more information (as I would!), you could tell her the extent of the injury and what the vet did. If she is aghast and offers to pay the bill (as I would), you can discuss that with her. But, since you said that you're comfortable paying it (as I would be), I do think that the relationship is more important.

If you were unable to pay the bill or if it would be a hardship, or if you were litigious or wanted to enforce a "what's right" attitude, then you could just present her with the bill. Frankly, I'd rather form a nice relationship.

Suzieque

YogaLady took the words right out of my mouth. I would give her a call and ask her if her dog is current with all his shots. It's a great opening to tell her what the outcome was with your dog. I know if you told me what happened to your dog I would definitely offer to pay the Vet bill. If she doesn't offer, I think I would let it go or if you're so inclined to be reimbursed somewhat, you could suggest you go halves on the bill.

I would have a talk with the other owner. Sometimes with a very old, blind dog they can get confused due to blindness and possibly dementia. They really need to know what happened and it sounds like you've been given good advise. They don't sound like bad dog owners. Really they do need to be told. The dog might bite a young kid next time and that could cause them all sorts of problems.

Yes, you should at least mention to your neighbour that your dog bit mine and it ended up vet trips and care and antiobiotics.

Yes, the vet should have followed up with the attack of your dog, and report it.

Yes, elderly dogs are a concern, being blind it may have felt threatened by your dog. Or is in pain and so they strike at out other pets and humans.

And when you are walking your dogs, whether on leash or not, keep them apart and also keep an eye out for them and maybe keep your dog close to you and away from the other dog.

I have seen and heard incidents at this park walking our dog when we still had him and one time this dog suddenly I heard yelping and it was a painful yelp too and seems this other dog just attacked it, do not know why it happened but it does.

I watch very closely when we went out when we had our dog, other dogs and one big dog was wanting to be too close to our little dog and so I stood over ours and the dog backed off when the owner came along and then other times it has happened and also I would notice our dog we had he loved other dogs but certain ones i would see the body language he was giving to me, get me out of here fast and I would call him and you could see the whew happy to be away from that dog.

We have met many elderly dogs and one was blind collie, beautiful dog and so gentle and loving too.

You have to realize that alot just go out and buy dogs and get dogs and they don't socilize them like they shoud when they are puppies and also get them used to all kinds of things out there. Plus people too.

Our male dog didn't like people, kids he was scared of due to the high pitch voices and loud and plus the constant moving they do. I knew that many would rush your dog to be all over it and I would watch like a hawl and say, you have to ask if you can pet the dog as not all dogs like to be and what I did was taught our dog that I would put my hand on him and stand there and watch and he knew he was safe with me being there and I would take him away fast.

We both have to be watching and alert for anything and it can happen so fast.

The neighbour needs to know plus now you know to avoid her if she is out walking her dog and so there isn't anymore trouble.

REalize too dogs are different personalitiies like all of us are and some don't click and some just rub the wrong way and who knows what can happen. I have seen so much.

Another thing that irks me hugely is when kids are given the dogs to walk and the parents are not holding the leashes themselves, there was a dad walking two dogs with his girls and one girl took off with the younger puppy that was huge breed and the seond girl, her dog took off to us where our two dogs were and she let go scared to death and didn't know what to do, ran for her dad and he came charging around and grabbed the leash and thankfully nothing happened to our dogs but it only takes an instant.

We ran into tons that their dogs were attacked over and over again and seems that the police wouldn't do anything. ONE dog was being trained for being a blind dog and this particular dog was unleashed at all times and the owner would just let him do whatever and he attacked that dog over and over and still the police wouldn't do anything, he came charging at our dogs and was right over our female dog ready to get her and I was screaming to the guy mowing his lawn to get his dog and he finally did and I was just screaming, dad had let go of the leash and the two leashes were connected together. Thankfully nothing happened, another time another big dog cornered our female dog against a corner on a wall, this lady had stroller and dog and with her friend, she left them with her friend and went into store and suddenly the dog cornered our female and the lady came out of the store and grabbed her dog.

Its frightening what is happening and its big and small dogs and all breeds too.

It got I was terrified to go walking and what will happen today?

Why would you say anything? You've said you aren't worried about the bill, the dog is fine, and both dogs were leashed. So something more is there.

Sounds like you might want her to acknowledge it more than she has? Maybe? If so, I think I'd say, "Gosh who would've thought Maggie was hurt so badly, but she was. It cost over $600 in vet bills after that bite. But she's much better now." Giving her the chance to know, and react in her way.

I would just pay the bill myself but caution her about her dog. She needs to know so that she won't get close to other dogs and it will happen again and the next person may not be so kind. I'd tell her I'm only telling you this to help you out, not to lay blame in any way.

Rob, I probably won't go out of my way to say anything, but it's a possibility she might ask next time she sees us. I'm out and about with my dog on a regular basis. He is a really pretty dog and very friendly, but behaved. People tend to notice us. We call him our "Go Dog" because he really loves to go for walks or ride in the car. We have met a lot of people because of him. As such, we are very visible. People ask about the cone around his neck when we even just step outside the door. I'm trying to be as non-controversial as possible. I don't want a neighborhood feud.

I am also trying to be sympathetic. This dog is 15 years old and obviously loved by her family. They need to handle their dog, but I don't want to force something negative to happen. I'm looking for suggestions on what to say so I can be as nice about it as possible.

Whew. I'm glad you're ok with everything. I understand you're not terrific (I would have a hard time with it), but ok. Sounds good. You'll have your game plan ready. I have no doubt you'll be as kind as you can. You're lucky you have such good friends here to give you the advice on how to be nice. But you're also already there, since you're in the right place mentally! Best wishes!

You HAVE to say something--if for no other reason to alert her to the fact that her dog needs to be more stringently controlled. If you say nothing, and her dog attacks another pet in your neighborhood--and seriously injures or kills it, how will you feel? knowing that by saying something you could have prevented the attack?

Also, you do need to get the proof of her dog's vaccination history.

Aside from that, being able to afford the vet bills doesn't mean you should be stuck with them. They're her responsibility.

I'd absolutely let her know what happened, request the medical information you need, warn her about keeping her dog away from other pets and people if it's that easily spooked, and present her with the bill and ask for payment in a reasonable time. It's the right thing to do all the way around.

I expect the blind pup's owner is afraid to ask you what happened. Otherwise if she is as nice as she sounds she would have asked you if your pup is okay. The fact that your Pom is wearing a cone will certainly make her realize that your pup was hurt. I would definitely tell her (gently) that the wound was serious so that she will know going forward that having a blind, 15 year old dog requires extra care - such dogs can be easily frightened. Perhaps her dog was one of those rare dogs that loved all pets before turning blind. We have a 24 lb. American Eskimo - so a "big" white Pom so I know exactly what you mean about the fur. Also, our Eskie does not like everyone - doesn't help that he has been attacked 14 times by loose dogs! I hope everything works out for you and that your pup continues to get better. I doubt that your neighbour's dog has that many years left - depending on the size of the dog.

The owner was holding the leash and witnessed the attack. She already knows what happened.

I have no reason at this time to believe that the neighbor is avoiding me. She lives down the street a few houses. We haven't been out on our long nightly walks since my dog wasn't feeling well.

She knows something happened--she DOESN'T know the extent and expense of the damage her dog did. And unless you speak with her, she won't, will she? She should be aware of the potential problems of letting her dog get within biting distance of other people and pets.

If the dog suffers from dementia and also blind, I would worry that it might bite a child or adult that came up to pet it. It happened to my niece when she was little. The dog owner was fully aware the dog had issues, but failed to warn anyone.

If nothing else, perhaps you could mention to the owner the possibility of her dog biting someone. She may be very naive to what her senile dog is capable of.

Glad your dog is doing better!

Here in our town, when a dog bites a person, it is automatically quarantined for 10 days - it should be the same if an animal bites another animal.

Information:

The standard test for rabies is to examine a sample of its brain cells; In other words, the animal is put to death.

In my opinion you need to bring it up. Since the incident was unprovoked, she needs to know about the medical bill that you incurred. What if she thought that this was just a little tussle between dogs and next time her dog ended up killing someone else's pet?
Also, if she has to fork over some money she may think about giving her dog some intensive obedience classes..imho

I can see where your coming from. It's an awkward situation to have with fairly new neighbors.

Well, I know I'm losing my mind thinking you had some loud, rowdy neighbors a couple years ago. Now I'm wondering who I'm thinking about. It was someone at the KT for sure though.

Your entree is to go to her because you need to know if her dog is up to date on vaccinations. You'll explain that your vet had to suture a bite wound. (I'm surprised your vet didn't tell you to do this.)

This way your neighbor knows the extent of the damage. She should offer to reimburse you. She'll also realize that her dog needs greater surveillance.

Does your town issue dog licenses? Does it have a record of this dog being registered?

Intensive obedience training for a 15 year old, blind dog? Sorry, but that just strikes me as comical. I don't think so.

No licenses here. The vet didn't seem concerned about what this dog might have. It is an indoor dog. My dog is up to date on all of his shots. I suspect the other dog is more likely to have dementia or some other terminal illness related to age rather than rabies or other contagious disease.

I'm proceeding with caution because this probably is the beginning of the end for this dog. I'm not happy with the dog, but it has obviously been cared for and loved all of these years.

Toni, I've had some neighbors who weren't my favorite over the years, but I've always gotten along with them. I may have said something about one of them that made you think it was me.

If the money is a non issue for you, don't make it about the money.

If your dog was aggressively bitten, then others are at risk as well. The owner should know about the seriousness of the bite.