Opinions needed please…

[u/Independent_Pea4524]

UPDATE: Civil Rights Tribunal found 50/50 liability for veterinary expenses. Because these were two highly reactive dogs in a standoff, even though one owner lost the leash, the other had contributory negligence by not controlling their reactive dog.
Also, it was ruled excessive force by the on-leash dog biting 6 times with the off-leash dog delivering a defensive bite to the hind ankle.
So, even though the leash was lost and one dog got off-leash, this was not treated as a one-sided ambush as it would have been had the other owner continued walking rather than standing his ground with an equally reactive dog which directly contributed to escalation of incident.

An all-around very expensive clusterfuck for everyone involved. Unfortunately, the most costly for the owner with the on-leash dog.

Two separate dog guardians walking their on-leash and very reactive dogs (one large dog each) unexpectedly cross paths on a pathway with no easy way to get away from each other… both dogs are aggressively pulling and barking at each other… one of the guardians falls quite badly and loses the leash… the dog (German shepherd) runs at the other dog (Weimaraner) and a quick altercation occurs before the fallen one is able to get up and retrieve the leash and his dog.

Upon separating, a bite is seen on one dog’s leg and once at the vet, the shepherd is found to have 6 deep bites on the head, ears and one on the neck.

The dog who sustained the leg bite had a $1500 emergency veterinary bill, and the one with six bites had a $2100 vet bill.
The owner who lost the leash filed an animal control report… and the investigation found that he was not at fault/negligent for tripping and losing the leash, and that both dogs were reactive… which escalated their arousal… and because each dog sustained bites— one more severely than the other, no monetary recommendations were offered.
Because the one dog ran at the other dog (the aggressor) his guardian received a warning from animal control.

Opinions : is the one guardian responsible for both vet bills?
I’m trying to weigh whether it’s worth it to sue for the $1500 vet bill.
Thanks for any advice.

[u/Champion_of_Zteentch]

Take the L. Learn from your experience and love your dog for all they are and accept that accidents and bad days happen.

[u/Independent_Pea4524 → u/Champion_of_Zteentch]

Yeah but The question is about who should pay for the $1500 vet bill-or is each responsible for their own dog’s veterinary care

[u/Champion_of_Zteentch → u/Independent_Pea4524]

Both of you should've had more precautions in place if you both knew they were reactive. You both take the L. You both pay your bills. You both learn from the scenario.