Dog bites Colin. Insurance refuses help

Hello. I’m Colin, the cat!

I live on the Isle of Wight with my (animal mad!) human, another cat, and 2 dogs. Life was great…. until a dog bit me. Badly. In my own living room. In front of our humans. It wasn’t pretty.

Don’t panic, I’m OK now, but following all the stress and worry of the attack, my surgery, and rehab, the insurance company (after 6 months dithering) has just refused to pay the vet bills. My human, and the dog parent, are devastated. They need help.

Let me explain:

Jan 04, 2023: friend and dog visited our home. They’re regulars, so all of us animals were cool with that ..… until the dog suddenly grabbed me by the back end! Oh boy! That dog weighs 40kg. I weigh 4kg. Imagine that! I was in agony. I couldn’t walk.

The humans were straight on it and rushed me to the vet.

My pelvis was broken in two places, completely separated from my spine. I needed a major operation.

Dog parent had correct insurance so checked my surgery could go ahead. Ins co refused to say. Thank you non-responsive insurance company - that delay cost £1000.

My human was frantic. They had to make that dreadful decision. BUT - got it right!

I’m still here!

My surgery went ahead. I would surely have died if they’d waited longer.

Rushed by emergency ambulance to an amazing specialist vet team, I was literally put back together!

A further two weeks of brilliant nursing care and I was on my way home! It's been a long haul, but cage rest, and ongoing rehab, have all helped me recover well! Now, I can run and jump (and pee!) just like in the old days!

Here I am, chilling out with one of my housemates. NO! That's NOT the dog .... !!!

Insurance Company and their solicitor

After that dodgy start with the insurance company, the humans provided statements (05/06 Jan). They waited. And waited. No acknowledgment/feedback arrived. That tone continued for almost 6 months. Feedback from the insurance company, or solicitor, was minimal, never helpful, and often contradictory. The humans had to:

Finally, June 19, 2023, my human received an email from ins co solicitor saying LIABILITY WAS DENIED, meaning they would NOT make any payment towards vet bills.

Their reason:

'On the basis of a lack of prior knowledge, we deny any negligence/breach on the part of X Xxxxxx. In particular, given the lack of any prior disposition, we comment as follows:

Our client had no reason to suspect or believe there was any risk of harm

There was no reason to believe the incident would occur

There had been absolutely no such behaviour prior to the index event.'

AND … the ins co will NOT ALLOW THE DOG PARENT TO ADMIT LIABILITY. If they do, the insurance is invalid. Paying the bill is considered an admission of liability (plus they don't have the money!)

What happens now?

Why this appeal? What will happen if the Insurance comes good?

Whatever happens, negotiating will take time. Possibly months. But the humans need help now.

After X-rays, general anaesthetics, operation fees, 24/7 nursing care, and much, much more, the grand total is a whopping:

I know it's a lot, but my human keeps telling me I'm worth it!

Raising £3000 (almost 50%) should give time for the insurance company to do the right thing (I hope!).

I really, really hope all will come good in the end and I can repay EVERYONE who makes any donation. But there’s no guarantee :(

Neither human is big on social media. They really, REALLY need help spreading this appeal!

You may not be able to donate yourself. That's cool. BUT if you know someone who can, PLEASE share this with them! And if there are any clever solicitors reading this who know a shortcut to the right result, please tell us!