My dog was bitten by another while at the Vet

[WVBill]

What would you do?

We've been taking our dog, Lucy to this vet since she was a pup and have been very happy with this vet. We've also boarded Lucy here when we've gone away on vacations.

She needed some oral surgery and we were planning a 4-day vacation so we dropped her off on Friday and picked her up yesterday (Monday). The Vet called my cell phone on Friday PM and said the surgery went fine and Lucy was doing fine - so we proceed with our vacation.

When we picked Lucy up yesterday, the tech who was giving us the post-op care instructions said "Oh, and I wanted to let you know - Lucy had an accident on Saturday. When one of the techs had her our for an exercise walk, another tech brought one of our more aggressive dogs out at the same time by mistake and the Lucy got bit on the head. There are two puncture wounds on the top of her head. We cleaned them up and sutured them shut. She was already on antibiotic for the oral surgery so we didn't need to give her more. We're very sorry. There won't be any charge for cleaning and suturing the wounds."
Apparently the aggressive dog belongs to one of the Vets in the practice.

So, should I say "Oh, OK, Thanks" or should I make a big deal of it? According to the Frederick County VA code: "As used in this section, "dangerous dogs" means a canine or canine crossbreed which has bitten, attacked or inflicted injury on a person or companion or domestic animal" and "Any animal warden who has reason to believe that a canine or canine crossbreed within his jurisdiction is a dangerous dog or vicious dog shall apply to a magistrate of the jurisdiction for the issuance of a summons requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a specified time." So if I report the incident to Animal Control, it could mean major hassles for the Vet owner.

What would you do?

WVBill

 

[shvl73]

Do you mean they simply didn't charge for the cost of dealing with the wounds inflicted? That would not be an adequate response, in my opinion.
I don't think I'd go the route of reporting it though.
I would be discussing it with your vet, and the owner of the clinic. I'd let them know how unhappy I was about it. Accidents do happen, I'd want to be assured that it was an mistake for the two dogs to be together and what will prevent it in the future.

 

[tallyho8]

I think I would have a talk with the vet and ask him what is being done to assure you and others that this type incident will not occur again and to reestablish your trust in this clinic's operations.

After hearing his comments I think you will know if anything further has to be done.

 

[rox]

I think I would do nothing. You don't need to "tell" the vet s/he already knows. Trust me they stitched up your doggie, they know. An error happened you dog had some injury they did the best they could after the fact and if they are vets they are pretty sharp people they are not likely to make the same mistake twice and now they know something more about their dog that they did not previously know. I am sure they are embarassed about it, if oyu like the vet no sense rubbing thier face in it. For what reason just for you to blow off steam and make you feel better? It is not like you are going to suddendly "teach" them something they ahve not already learned the hard way themselves. I would take the high road and feel pretty sure that that vet is forever and ever going to remember and always proved me with exceptional service.

 

[studor]

I would be asking the vet about the history of the other dog and pointing out that you are not very pleased with the tech's sensitivity -- the no charge for suturing quip is pretty stupid on their part. Give the vet a chance -- may be a good vet but bad manager and may not know what goes on over the weekend in his/har own shop

 

[RobJ]

Nothing, it's a dog. They do that.

If you are that unhappy, seek another vet.

Reporting that law to the state about a vet is like reporting a broken egg at an egg farm!!

egg happens!!

 

[LMTC]

I would meet privately with whoever actually owns the clinic and ask that there be a very clear entry on my dog's chart as to exactly what happened and how it happened. I would then ask for a copy of that chart. I would tell them that I will not pursue anything at this point, but will use this documentation if there is any further mishap with my dog's care and I would ask for a written assurance that the aggressive dog will not be on the premises there ever again. Failing that I would probably consider a civil action. The aggressive dog has already proven it has no business in a facility with other dogs. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think it would depend if your dog got bit by a chihuahua or Staffordshire Terrier. Meaning, if the dog is further capable of major aggression, the owner should know the legal system has a "case" on file for the dog.

I ain't got no tolerance for bully dogs. Sorry, but that's my stance. There's too many good dogs getting put down. They come around my place and cause trouble and it gets fixed quick. I was nice the last time and shot over their heads. Can't say why 'cept I love dogs.

 

[cast_and_blast]

What would you do?

We've been taking our dog, Lucy to this vet since she was a pup and have been very happy with this vet. We've also boarded Lucy here when we've gone away on vacations.

She needed some oral surgery and we were planning a 4-day vacation so we dropped her off on Friday and picked her up yesterday (Monday). The Vet called my cell phone on Friday PM and said the surgery went fine and Lucy was doing fine - so we proceed with our vacation.

When we picked Lucy up yesterday, the tech who was giving us the post-op care instructions said "Oh, and I wanted to let you know - Lucy had an accident on Saturday. When one of the techs had her our for an exercise walk, another tech brought one of our more aggressive dogs out at the same time by mistake and the Lucy got bit on the head. There are two puncture wounds on the top of her head. We cleaned them up and sutured them shut. She was already on antibiotic for the oral surgery so we didn't need to give her more. We're very sorry. There won't be any charge for cleaning and suturing the wounds."
Apparently the aggressive dog belongs to one of the Vets in the practice.

So, should I say "Oh, OK, Thanks" or should I make a big deal of it? According to the Frederick County VA code: "As used in this section, "dangerous dogs" means a canine or canine crossbreed which has bitten, attacked or inflicted injury on a person or companion or domestic animal" and "Any animal warden who has reason to believe that a canine or canine crossbreed within his jurisdiction is a dangerous dog or vicious dog shall apply to a magistrate of the jurisdiction for the issuance of a summons requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a specified time." So if I report the incident to Animal Control, it could mean major hassles for the Vet owner.

What would you do?

WVBill

Kind of lame that the tech was left to disclose this info if it was the vet's dog that was the culprit.

Making it sound like they are doing you a favor by not charging you to stitch up your dog for injuries it received while in their care would have rubbed me the wrong way.

I'd find a new vet.

Scott

 

[DocHeb]

Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes happen with physicians also. We are instructed to admit our own mistakes, explain what happened, describe steps taken to prevent them from happening in the future, and apologize. The dog owner should have explained the incident, not turf it off to an underling. However, it is now after the fact - let it go.

 

[Ductape]

I'm with the majority. Perhaps talk to the owner of the establishment. The fact that they pointed out that you don't have to pay for the treatment of the dog bight is assenine ! An honest apology would be what i'd want. Dogs will be dogs, and sooner or later your dog is going to run into another dog with a dominant personality........ its life. Obviously you will want to do your best to ensure it doesn't happen again with the tech's agressive dog.

 

[mohrds]

A couple of points you may want to consider. What if the dog's owner didn't know this happened? What if the techs screwed up and are covering for each other? What if the clinic's owner doesn't know?

I would talk to the owner to at least make sure that they are aware of the whole situation and how unprofessionally it was dealt with. If the techs involved acted alone, they need to learn how real life works.

I've had a dog that was hurt but the owner of the clinic came out to talk, not the tech, plus they gave a free annual checkup for the next visit. If the owner knew about the incident and still sent an underling to give the news, then I'd consider finding a new vet. If the owner doesn't know, you may have just saved someone else's pet from harm.

Doug

 

[Bird]

A couple of points you may want to consider. What if the dog's owner didn't know this happened? What if the techs screwed up and are covering for each other? What if the clinic's owner doesn't know?

I would talk to the owner to at least make sure that they are aware of the whole situation and how unprofessionally it was dealt with. If the techs involved acted alone, they need to learn how real life works.

I've had a dog that was hurt but the owner of the clinic came out to talk, not the tech, plus they gave a free annual checkup for the next visit. If the owner knew about the incident and still sent an underling to give the news, then I'd consider finding a new vet. If the owner doesn't know, you may have just saved someone else's pet from harm.

Doug

Several good answers, but I like yours best, Doug. A couple of months ago (I think, can't remember just when) an incident here in this area made the newspaper. A dog boarding facility had one dog kill another dog when both had been left by their owners.

 

[Tig]

"No charge for the dog bite"??? Stand in front of a mirror and pretend you are giving someone that news. How does it feel?

 

[marimus]

"No charge for the dog bite"??? Stand in front of a mirror and pretend you are giving someone that news. How does it feel?

This was my exact thought, get out of my head!

What if this is not the first (or even second, third....) time that this dog as injured another dog? If nobody reports it (as seems the be the majority view) then when is it going to stop?

On the other hand, dogs don't get declared dangerous with only 1 incident (at least where I live), so if it really is a one off and you report it, nothing bad will happen to the owner or the dog.

If it was me, I would feel I had a duty to report it, if only to get it "in the system" and make sure the dogs owner knows this is serious and unacceptable behaviour, and ensure it doesn't happen again.

 

[SnowRidge]

..........

When we picked Lucy up yesterday, the tech who was giving us the post-op care instructions said "Oh, and I wanted to let you know - Lucy had an accident on Saturday.

..........ll

What would I do? I would demand to see the vet and let him/her know that I don't appreciate being told my dog had an "accident," when in fact it was attacked. I would also state flatly that the cavalier attitude with which the incident was handled was not acceptable . Finally, I would ask the vet just what he/she intended to do about the incident.

If I got any attitude from the vet at that point, I would take my business elsewhere, and I would file a complaint with Animal Control.

 

[randy41]

I would report it. Since the vet had your cell number there's no excuse for he/she to not call you when the incident occured. It is also inexcuseable that the vet didn't personally tell you when you came to pick up the dog. I would tell the vet that I am reporting it. I would report it no matter what the vet had to say about it. You deserve more respect than that from someone you trust your pet care to and pay your money to.

 

[rox]

What would you do?

We've been taking our dog, Lucy to this vet since she was a pup and have been very happy with this vet. We've also boarded Lucy here when we've gone away on vacations.

She needed some oral surgery and we were planning a 4-day vacation so we dropped her off on Friday and picked her up yesterday (Monday). The Vet called my cell phone on Friday PM and said the surgery went fine and Lucy was doing fine - so we proceed with our vacation.

When we picked Lucy up yesterday, the tech who was giving us the post-op care instructions said "Oh, and I wanted to let you know - Lucy had an accident on Saturday. When one of the techs had her our for an exercise walk, another tech brought one of our more aggressive dogs out at the same time by mistake and the Lucy got bit on the head. There are two puncture wounds on the top of her head. We cleaned them up and sutured them shut. She was already on antibiotic for the oral surgery so we didn't need to give her more. We're very sorry. There won't be any charge for cleaning and suturing the wounds."
Apparently the aggressive dog belongs to one of the Vets in the practice.

So, should I say "Oh, OK, Thanks" or should I make a big deal of it? According to the Frederick County VA code: "As used in this section, "dangerous dogs" means a canine or canine crossbreed which has bitten, attacked or inflicted injury on a person or companion or domestic animal" and "Any animal warden who has reason to believe that a canine or canine crossbreed within his jurisdiction is a dangerous dog or vicious dog shall apply to a magistrate of the jurisdiction for the issuance of a summons requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a specified time." So if I report the incident to Animal Control, it could mean major hassles for the Vet owner.

What would you do?

WVBill

After reading the other posts I think I changed my mind. Yeah the VET should have told you, not some tech. The vet knows because s/he stitched up Lucy! It was rather cowardly of the vet not to make direct contact with you.

I think I changed my mind. I would go personally not over the phone, and ask to talk to the vet and ask the Vet, what happened. Then I would stop and let the vet talk. I would take my cue from what the Vet says.

 

[radman1]

Interesting responses. First of all, what happened is an unfortunate incident. Nobody wants it to happen but it did. Even the seemingly best pets can behave oddly or aggressively in different situations. Several mistakes were made. First, the vet should have told the owner immediatly what happened. This should have occurred shortly after it happened and not when the owner came to pick up the dog. This would be regardless who owned owned the more aggressive dog, vet or otherwise. The vet tech was completely the wrong person to handle the situation. I assume the tech was trying to be helpful or sympathetic by saying there were "no charges for the suturing." Unfortunately this was poor judgment and easily misinterpreted. Why didn't the vet talk to the owner that day? It is possible the vet was not working that day or available at that time when the dog was picked up at the clinic. The facts just are not known.

After explaining what had happened and apologizing to the owner, the dog's owner should be told what steps and corrections are going to occur so this incident or similar incidents are not repeated. This would also be discussed with the vet clinic staff. Next, the changes need to be made and enforced. Fortunately, the injury was minor and the wounds should heal well.

I do believe a phone call or direct conversation with the vet should be done by the owner to get better clarification of the events. At this point, calling animal control maybe premature.

 

[WVBill]

Thanks for all your replies, (well - except for the "it's just a dog" one... ).

Your general advice to "cool down and have a conversation with the vet/owner" prevailed. We spoke with the vet/owner of the dog who is also a partner/owner of the clinic. He was straightforward and sincere. He assured us that his dog would never be brought to the clinic again without a muzzle. Moreover, he said that the clinic as a whole learned from this experience and has instituted procedures to ensure positive separation of animals if there is any question about their "socialization skills".

I'm satisfied with his response.

Thanks Again

WVBill