My dog was bitten by another while at the Vet

WVBill · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

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 · Oct 21, 2008

WVBill said:
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 · Oct 21, 2008

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.