Driver kills dog, then sues owners

[Rick C]

A driver runs over a dog running loose, then sues the owners of the dog for damage to his car.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24530214/

Emotions aside, it would be an interesting legal case. However, I have to wonder how a 13 pound dog would do the vehicle damage described.

Rick C
www.goldentales.ca

[Love4himies]

Although I feel sorry for the owners, I think owners have to be responsible for any damage thier dogs do. It is not fair to the driver to fork over money, or have his insurance go up because of the dog.

I don't understand the counter suit (I guess everybody has that right), because it was their dog that ran out on the street, not the car running up on the sidewalk.

To me this is no different than a dog biting somebody and that person sueing the bitee because their dog was confescated by SPCA, deemed dangerous and put down.

I guess is boils down to the owners are responsible for their dogs.

[want4rain]

*sigh* one of these days you Canadians are going to realize NO ONE IN THE USA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS!!!

(its ugly huh?)

-ashley

[Love4himies]

Originally Posted by want4rain

*sigh* one of these days you Canadians are going to realize NO ONE IN THE USA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS!!!

(its ugly huh?)

-ashley

OMG, YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT. Sorry for the hollering, but I just got excited somebody thinks the same as me. It is getting this way in Canada too. Always blaming somebody else.

[Jim Hall]

sue em sue evryone twice let the judge figure it out

and its so bad in NJ they got prosoners and temps working in the court system and royally screwing t up so bad that when we send motions to the court we send a page of instructions on what is supoosed to be done

[mastifflover]

I find the damages a little far fetched that a 13 pound dog could do that amount of damage unless the guy hit him at a very high speed. I think he is just looking to have his repairs paid for.

[ancientgirl]

Responsibility? What's that? These days if you burn your tongue with hot coffee, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the person who made it.

[Reality]

Amazing. Shame that the dog got out at all. I do agree that as a pet owner we are responsible for what our pets do, but I think they guy is (hopefully) not our typical person. I would hope most would feel that this was an accident and let it go.

[hazelrunpack]

Originally Posted by want4rain

*sigh* one of these days you Canadians are going to realize NO ONE IN THE USA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS!!!

(its ugly huh?)

-ashley

Speak for yourself. Depends on where you live. People around here are pretty self-sufficient and responsible. City folk seemed less so for some reason...

[MyBirdIsEvil]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

Speak for yourself. Depends on where you live. People around here are pretty self-sufficient and responsible. City folk seemed less so for some reason...

There are people in rural areas willing to do it too.

I know a few people that do horseback riding lessons and stuff and they've had people try to MAKE the horses freak out or throw them so they can act injured and try to sue. No matter that by Missouri law the owner isn't supposed to be liable if you're on their horse, but they still try. Some people think they can sue for anything and make a quick buck.

[want4rain]

got some room out there Hazel?? Mister would stick out like a sore thumb in your pack!!!!

-ashley

[jealma]

Does seem like a lot of damage for such a small dog. If I hit a dog I'd never think about sueing, I would be feeling so bad for the family

[the gang]

poor little min pin hope it was fast, brenda and the 5 pins.

[Longblades]

Oh, how sad. I don't understand how the dog owners have a hope of winning their counter suit but stranger things have happened. I agree, it sounds like a lot of damage from an impact from a 13 pound object. Perhaps the speed of the driver increased the damage and that is where the countersuit comes in? The driver was speeding? Don't know.

I do know of a similar incident a colleague of the OH went through. His big GS was allowed to run loose on the farm, as many farm dogs are. But she had a history of chasing cars and she met her waterloo one night on the road. Similar damage was done to the small car, which was travelling the highway speed of 80 KPH.

When the owner went to reassure the driver that he knew it was his fault for allowing the dog to chase cars the driver said right away that he would be informing his insurance company because it certainly was not his fault. The dog owner had to pay quite a bit for repairs and temporary rental vehicles and I don't recall if his insurance covered it or not.

The good end to the story is that this man has not owned a dog since, something all who know him and like dogs are happy about as he was not ever a good pet owner.

I use this true story on people I encounter who allow their dog to run loose. They obviously don't care much about their dog but perhaps they might think twice if they realize their pocket book could come into play.