Yorkie attacked by a pit bull/retriever mix

[Lord_Helpus]

This was 10 days ago and she required emergency surgery because her intestines were falling out of her body in an incredible and rapidly growing hernia.

NB: The neighbor and owner of the dog was at my house, graciously helping me to start my generator so I could have some light. The lady has an invisible fence, which was not working because of the massive power outage — but her dogs have never crossed the lane, even when they have had their collars off

Fortunately, I live near an emergency clinic and they were able to operate that night. It was a tough 5 days for her, but we made it through and the last 5 days have gotten easier by the day.

Now we are ready for part 2: The hind hip that was destroyed by the other dog (vet tried 4x to get it back in place, but it slipped right out again). Another trip to a specialist, about 1 hour away.

From what I understand, I will have two choices: A femoral head ostectomy (sp?) or putting the hip joint back together in some fashion.

She is an 8 year old, 8 pound dog who likes mild – moderate exercise (she comes out to the barn, but will not follow the golf cart like her sister does.)

Can anyone explain the pros and cons of these choices and which they would recommend?

PS: The neighbor’s dog could hear her mom’s voice over at my farm and came over to be with her. Being Terriers, my dogs ‘attacked’ her dog (much barking and jumping up and down) to protect their farm, which caused the big dog to attack. My neighbor came over the next day to see how Moose was doing and said that, of course, she would pay for the surgeries. When I told her that the cost would be $3500, she gulped. So I told her to just pay me what she could.

10 days later and I have not heard from her again.

This is a cozy little collection of 5 farms down our road, and we all get along well. I don’t want to make an issue of it, even though she “should” pay; but I do not want to stand on legalities and split the farms into 2 camps: her side and my side. It is easier for me to absorb the cost than it is for her.

What should I do?

[Marshfield]

Go after her home owner’s insurance. There’s no reason you should be paying the bills for this. Your dog was on her own property. Neighbor is legally fully responsible for these bills. Maybe split ir if you feel generous.

FHO is a good option for your dog with her size. Less costly and quicker healing time than toggle pin procedure

[JanM]

If you can afford it, and you truly think the other owner can’t afford it, or it would split the community forever, then I would pay for it. I suspect you’ll never see a penny from the other owner.

Considering the Yorkie’s age, a hip replacement is considered a once in a lifetime procedure, and probably will lead to a total return to full function, the leg won’t be shorter (as with the femoral head removal), and I would go for that if you can afford it. The aftercare for either should be about the same, but I think the outcome with the replacement.

If this was my dog, and I could possibly do it, I’d go for the hip replacement.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=Marshfield;8902733]
Go after her home owner’s insurance. There’s no reason you should be paying the bills for this. Your dog was on her own property. Neighbor is legally fully responsible for these bills. Maybe split ir if you feel generous.

FHO is a good option for your dog with her size. Less costly and quicker healing time than toggle pin procedure[/QUOTE]

Because it was on her property I don’t think the neighbors HO will cover it. That said, for most dog bites on their property this is the way to go.

[glitterless]

So sorry that this happened. My Maltese behaves the same way when big dogs come over. I can’t believe he hasn’t caused a fight yet.

I don’t know much at all about orthopedic surgeries, but I have seen a couple of small dogs who have had femoral head ostectomies and they’ve done really well. Best of luck.

[Nezzy]

i have seen the Femoral head surgeries on a few tv shows and the dogs seem to do well with those, so i would not be opposed to that surgery. Good Luck! I am so sorry. for tha attack.

[Justmyluck]

Dogs that size tend to do well with FHOs.

[JanM]

I doubt you’ll ever see much money from the neighbor, and I think it will end up being entirely financed by you.

I’m sure the surgeon can tell you if the FHO will be a quicker recovery, and if the outcome should be a good option for your dog. A friend’s English bulldog had the FHO, and did very well after, and he was a very young dog. From Googling a little, it looks like the FHO is a good, less traumatic option for a small dog.

Whatever happens, sending hugs and jingles, and hoping for a quick recovery.

[jr]

[QUOTE=gypsymare;8902760]
Because it was on her property I don’t think the neighbors HO will cover it. That said, for most dog bites on their property this is the way to go.[/QUOTE]

Check with her. Many people, me included, carry separate liability policies. That would likely pay in this case.k

[vxf111]

I am inclined to be slightly sympathetic to the attacking dog’s owner because this was a really unusual situation (it’s not like she routinely lets her dogs roam at large, she has an electric fence that had previously been effective and the power happened to go out) AND your dog was instigating (small dogs, big personalities, that’s a TERRIER). Not that I think you’re at fault AT ALL, OP… but if you need some reasn to feel better about her not splitting the bill-- she doesn’t sound like a complete sh*thead irresponsible dog owner and this sounds like a fairly unusual and unfortunate situation. Also, if she’s not able to afford to chip in half, that might be an unfortunate reality you can’t do much about. I feel for you OP< and I hope your dog is ok.

[Magicboy]

D talk to her about it and mention the insurance angle for her to investigate. She might not know about that possibility

[Sswor]

She should pay. She should have put her dogs up before coming over. She knew the power was out and she knew she had only an electric fence. She also knew you have little dogs and she has big dogs–that she neglected to properly contain before leaving her property. In my opinion, she was negligent.

This might ruin your relationship. She needs to do the right thing and pay for her dog’s damages. She’s lucky your little dog wasn’t killed.

[DogIsMyCopilot]

I tend to agree that she should pay for this. Her dog did the damage, off property, so she’s responsible to fix it. But I also understand that you don’t want to start a neighborhood war.

I think just swallowing the cost while she is passive is not good enough, and it will probably create resentment on your part in the long term.
Since the relationship is good, I think I would ask her to meet, sit down with her and openly discuss the injuries incurred, the bills that have already been paid and the ones still to come, and how to go forward from here. Try to avoid anger, bitterness and accusations, but give her a chance to actively resolve this. If you appreciate her as a neighbor, tell her that and let her know that it is important to you to maintain a good relationship.
It sometimes takes a bit of courage initially, but I think that is the best chance for everyone to feel treated fairly.

[Laurierace]

Home Owner’s insurance really has nothing to do with where the claim takes place. I personally would turn it into my own home owner’s insurance and let them subrogate.

[Louise]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;8903596]
Home Owner’s insurance really has nothing to do with where the claim takes place. I personally would turn it into my own home owner’s insurance and let them subrogate.[/QUOTE]

Laurierace is right. When the boarding stable where my horse was, was robbed, my homeowner’s insurance covered the loss of my saddle. Definitely check with your company to see if they will cover it. But, I, too, would talk with her about the situation. If she sees that this isn’t going to be contentious, that you are willing to make compromises, and that your relationship is important to her, you might find that she will be more forthcoming about paying at least some of the bill.

[Lord_Helpus]

I am not sure whose homeowner insurance we are talking about? Mine? or hers?

I a a total wuss and avoid conflict if I possibly can. That is why I told her to pay what she could afford.

I was so excited to be shown how to set up my generator that I was jumping up and down and hugging her right before we heard Moose screaming.

I just wish she would make a move on her end; but she will be avoiding me if something is not resolved.

This is a bitch.

[Sswor]

Your homeowner’s insurance. Your homeowner’s can decide whether to make a claim against her homeowner’s or not. That might be the best way to deal with it in your circumstance. It is indeed a crappy situation. I hope your pup will be ok

[cloudyandcallie]

Sue her. People who own vicious dogs must pay up.
As others said, go for her homeowner’s insurance.
And report her to everyone so there is a record of the attack. Once someone has a dog which attacks, the insurance will go up or the dog will go.

When I was in college, the dogs down the road attacked my Manchester Terrier and disemboweled him and emasculated him. He survived, but of course his lifespan was shortened by the attack so he died a few years later.

My sweet nice mother, who beat the dogs off of my dog with a broom, called the owners of both dogs. One paid the full amount while the other did not pay a cent.

Those 2 dogs had attacked animals before that and did so afterwards. When we finally got a lease law in Chatham County, I had those dogs locked up thru the help of my county commission as animal control said dogs in nice neighborhoods weren’t going to be required to be kept fenced in.:mad:

No, no you call her homeowner’s insurance. She is responsible. I did that in Atlanta when a dog of mine on lease was attacked by a neighbor’s dog off lease.
You have to demand to know the homeowner’s ins company and raise hell. You cannot be nice or they will treat you badly. Trust me, as I learned the hard way not to be nice to people who just don’t give a damn and let their vicious dogs run loose.

[cloudyandcallie]

[QUOTE=Sswor;8903736]
Your homeowner’s insurance. Your homeowner’s can decide whether to make a claim against her homeowner’s or not. That might be the best way to deal with it in your circumstance. It is indeed a crappy situation. I hope your pup will be ok :/[/QUOTE]

no no the woman’s homeowner’s ins, not the OP’s ins.
In GA. BTDT.

[Belmont]

FBO sounds like a good thing for your dog! They are a quick recovery and dogs of your size usually do fantastic afterwords.