Underdog owner looking for justice

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My dog was recently bitten by another dog twice his size. The injury cost me more than my tuition and books for the semester. I have asked the dog’s owner for help with the bill but he told me it wasn’t his fault. Who is the financially responsible party, both legally and ethically? I am getting very frustrated at trying to find out any information regarding liability. I’d appreciate your help because, as Clint Eastwood once said “I tried being reasonable. I didn’t like it.” In my case, it didn’t work.
A well-behaved woman never made history

Dear Well-behaved woman: First of all, I’d like to commend you on your creativity and vigor. I’m sorry your pet has had to suffer at the teeth of a larger, biting dog whose owner is unwilling to accept responsibility for its behavior. Such stories really anger and sicken me.
Since I’m not an attorney and don’t have all the exact details of how the injury occurred, I can’t give you advice about who is at fault in this situation. Animal control can be useful in taking a report of the bite injury and the circumstances surrounding it; then you can use that report chronicling the incident should you decide to take legal action. What I can mention is something that would be far more useful in rectifying this problem with fewer problems and strife: the golden rule. I think doing unto others has true meaning when pets are involved; they rely on their humans to care for them and to know the difference between right and wrong. When they are harmed by our lack of good judgment and behavior, it is particularly sad. In cases where this is coupled with a lack of follow-through and integrity to do the right thing, I really lose my sense of forgiveness.  In my opinion, anyone whose dog attacks another’s and causes pain and suffering, financial hardship, and who then turns his back on the victimized pet and owner alike is a buffoon who deserves the repercussions. My advice is to start by clipping out this column and showing it to him. By all means, don’t become “well behaved” regarding this issue.  After all, as you suggested when you signed your question, you sure won’t “make history” by acting well behaved, will you? Thanks for contacting me, and please keep in touch regarding the outcome.
Dr. F.

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I have a problem with my cat I don’t think I’ve seen you address in your column before. Mr. Fluff cat was recently diagnosed with a food allergy and he is doing much better since I started feeding him the special food I get at your hospital. The problem is I happen to know some of my neighbors in the trailer park also like to feed him. After all, he is a Maine Coon, so he is big, handsome, and everyone loves him. What should I do about this problem? Didn’t you say he needs to only eat the Z food to stay well? What shall I tell the neighbors?
Allergy mom

Dear Allergy mom: You’re right; this is an important question which I’m very glad you’ve brought up. Once a pet starts a food trial and is successful on the hypoallergenic food – i.e., he stops itching and having skin problems once you’ve been feeding the new food for several weeks, it is really important he not be exposed to other foods of any kind after that period. This includes treats, human food, or other brands of cat food from the neighbors or any other sources. Depending on how severe his food allergy is, even a small nibble of an allergic food can cause a complete setback for the pet.
It often takes several weeks for pets with food allergies to show improvements once they are diagnosed and begin treatment, but a setback can happen quickly and make them miserable again if they are fed something which irritates their immune system.
Here are a couple of suggestions you may find helpful for Mr. Fluff. You may want to keep him indoors in the future, or start walking him on a leash. This way you could eliminate the variable of neighbors supplementing his diet and it would also prevent him from being able to hunt for extra food. If this is not a viable option, you could tell all your close neighbors about his food allergy and kindly request they avoid offering him any thing to eat. Simply let them know he is allergic to regular food and can only eat a special formula you get especially for him and let them know anything else – even a tiny niblet, will set him back and make him very sick. It may not be a total solution to the problem, but it would probably help significantly. Clearly from your question, you have remembered a lot about food allergies. I think you deserve an “A” for listening! Good luck with your big handsome Fluff ball.
Dr. F