Dog bitting another dog

Hi Guys Merry Xmas
My lads dog when playing rough caught and caused a bit of blood from the young smaller dogs mouth ,the owner panicked and took the dog to a vet on xmas morning , there was no damage, the vet said slight bruising, and a jab!
is my lad liable for the vet bill £200!! in my view he is! but I have got a feeling he will refuse! he is 23 and only staying with us over xmas but gave my address,a bit worried over my dog getting blamed! what is the law now!

so it was your sons dog, and a small dog (belonging to some one else) hurt its mouth while they were playing? is that right?

I don't know, unless your sons dog actually attacked the other dog I don't think he should be liable... if they were just playing rough and both owners were allowing them to then it should be up to the owner of the dog.

I'm not quite sure I understand that? Was it your son's dog that bit another owner's dog? What do you mean your dog will get the blame, do you also have a dog, or do you mean your son's dog getting the blame?

Were the dogs off lead

Trying to get as much info from the boy! looks like the other dog was on a long lead!(yes I know that constitutes the boys dog being uncontrolled) and jumped on his back, think the boys dog told it off! but as we are all aware ,I am afraid the breed reputation always negative comes first! yes I have an older brindle staff that looks quite similar!, what I am really asking is I know the law has recently changed! if the boy does refuse to pay what are the consequences!( I am advising him to pay up and be more aware in the future!) as I said don't want the dog warden round here and assuming it was my dog! I know the Lad would not let my dog take the blame but mud sticks!

Ah right I see. I don't know whose fault it would be, but if his was off lead then he will be to blame. I think if you are contact with the owner the least he can do is offer to pay and make sure the dog is ok. I now see what you mean about your dog getting the rap and can see why you would think that now. Do you know the other owner? If so could you apologise and explain it wasn't your dog and that your boy is just staying with you with his dog?

If the other dog was hurt playing i cant see you getting blame for it, or having to pay the vets bill its just one of them things...

The law states that if your dog injures another and is not in control then you are at fault.
If yours is off lead and attacks another who is on a lead then you are at fault
If yours is on a lead and a off lead dog comes over and yours attacks it you arnt to blame the other dog is as its not under control.
If 2 dogs off lead playing then start to fight then both at fault none are under control.
Most of the time there isnt enough evidence to prosecute and it would cost more than £200 to go to court.
Thats what the dog warden near me says is right and wrong

I agree with gem. Was your son's dog off lead? If he was, and the other dog was on lead (even a long one) then your son could be liable. However, it's unlikely that the police would bother with it as it was such a minor injury which could have waited for normal surgery hours after Christmas.

Is your son's dog insured? If so, then the 3rd party liability would cover any claims if necessary.

This is one of the reason's why we have insurance cover for Tinkerbell. She is never off lead becuase she won't recall, but if anything were to ever happen at least I have peace of mind knowing we are covered with insurance!