When a woman ‘accidentally’ ran over a cat and it ‘passed away’, the last thing she expected was to be ‘hounded’ by the owners for the vet bills – and she really doesn’t want to pay
The heartbreak you feel when a beloved family pet passes away is horrible – but if you knew it was someone else’s fault, it’d likely feel a hundred times worse.
One woman who admitted she’d “accidentally hit a cat” and it “unfortunately passed away” said she was refusing to pay the vet bill – but the owners were “hounding” her.
The woman asked others online what they would do, and many had varying opinions, with some saying it was not an “obligation” – and others saying they would “offer to pay half” to be “nice”. Taking to Mumsnet, the woman explained: “Long story short, we accidentally hit a cat through no fault of ours and the cat unfortunately passed away.
“We offered our condolences to the owners and are sorry for their loss, but they are hounding us to pay their vet bill. It’s a no from us but we’re being slandered over it…What would you do?”
One person insisted: “Allowing cats to roam means the owner takes on responsibility. I’m a cat owner. I’ve had a cat hit by a car. Don’t pay it. It isn’t your bill.” Someone else suggested: “Offer to go half if you’re feeling really nice, but ultimately it was an accident and this is the risk you take having an outdoor cat. Are they not insured?”
Another fumed: “They are very lucky you told them! Lots of people drive off. Don’t pay the bill. The cat should have been insured by the owners and unfortunately, this is a risk owners take when letting their cats roam.”
Someone else raged: “You have no obligation to pay anything. Hitting the cat can’t be helped. Poor cat but s**t happens. If you are being slandered, take legal advice. Get a cease and desist letter sent.”
“I know you have no legal obligation to pay but if I’d hit someone’s pet I’d be beside myself,” another shared. “Depending on the cost I’d pay or offer half. Unfortunately, it’s a risk people take when they allow their cats to roam.”
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