[Danielle G.]

AIBU 16.08.2024​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from Reddit/Top-Customer7417:

Am I being unreasonable for not paying for the funeral of my neighbour's dog?

'About two weeks ago, my neighbour's dog ran into the road while I was backing out to leave for work and he ran behind my car.'

'I did not see the dog nor was the dog on a leash. The dog was killed by my vehicle and now, they want me to pay and supply a funeral for the dog.'

'I reluctantly agreed, feeling bad for the situation even though I am not the one at fault.'

'However, when I was told that it would cost $20,000, I refused. I thought it would be maybe a few hundred, just to have a small ceremony for the family, only to find out they have already made plans to book an entire venue with catering.'

'The worst part is they also want me to pay for a casket for the dog.'

'After refusing this, they said that they would be contacting a lawyer, as would I.'

'I don't see any reason why they would need this for a dog, and why I should be the one to pay for it. Am I being unreasonable?'

 

[Littleboy8]

Who has a funeral for a dog or any animal for that matter.and $20,000 really.
I wouldn’t pay it’s their fault their dog ran behind the car anyway they should have been more careful.

 

[MalKim]

The only dogs that are given a funeral and rightly so are military and police doges that have been killed in the line of duty
As for the the neighbours dog that is an accident
Question being why was it not restrained or in a secure yard
I do feel sorry for the owner in a sense but all said and done it’s an animal
Stick to your guns and don’t pay

 

[gayle222]

No way,they are ripping you off. Very sad the dog died however it was not your fault. Call them bluff ,let them get a lawyer. Dog owners have duty of care for their pets ,they neglected that dog by not ensuring the yard was fully enclosed ,nor was the dog restrained . Never trust a dog off leash as something is bound to distract them. . It was nice of you to offer some assistance which sadly has brought out a greedy side of these people. Good luck with it all

 

[Jo Piper3]

I don't think my Late parents' funerals were so expensive. We have had many dogs but no funerals just happy memories of our time with them.

 

[Rob44]

People should learn to control their dogs, and perhaps the car driver should sue the dog-owners for $21 000 for compensation for the trauma caused the driver by the dog. Never offer to pay because some damn silly dog has got in the way of your car. Nor swerve to miss one as you could lose control of your car. as well as scaring the living daylights out of an oncoming driver .

 

[musie]

Give me a break. They are really having you on here. No one would do that for a dog, that's what you'd pay for a human.

 

[Mrtnst]

In the circumstance described, i.e. the dog running onto the road, you have no responsibility to compensate your neighbours.

However, if you struck the dog while it was on the footpath or nature strip, you could be in breach of Road Rule 288 (path, including footpath) or 289 (nature strip), for not giving way to an animal.

Personally I don't believe these rules should apply for a dog that's not on a leash, but the rules don't specify this distinction.

In either case, even if you have some responsibility, which is unlikely, the amount being claimed is unreasonable.

The most I would consider justified is the cost of replacing the animal with another.

 

[Jerry5]

Give me a break. They are really having you on here. No one would do that for a dog, that's what you'd pay for a human.

Even for a human that is way overpriced.

 

[Dynamo]

Amazing sense of entitlement for full burial honours of a dog. Sure the animal wouldn't have wanted this sendoff.

 

[HelenFB]

It’s sad that the dog died… But $20,000 for a funeral is ridiculous. Way cheaper to have the dog cremated. Then you get to have the ashes which is more comforting. Your neighbours are from Hellville!!!

 

[Littleboy8]

I don't think my Late parents' funerals were so expensive. We have had many dogs but no funerals just happy memories of our time with them.

We just buried all our animals in the back garden when they died no law says you can’t do that.

 

[novezar]

As my dear mum would've said, "Wat A Lot Of Tommy Rot". U made an extremely "Good" offer for absolutely no fault of yours. So I'd just leave it at that.

Don't worry, they won't get a solicitor involved as they DO cost money by them, NOT U.

I wouldn't have made any such gesture at all. Just totally apologetic to yr neighbour for wot happened & left it at that.

DON'T PAY THEM ANYTHING by their own stupidity for not having the dog secured in their own yard.

In a court of law, a magistrate would "Chuck" the matter right out the door, just on sheer stupidity alone. It costs a lot of "Dough-Ray-Me" to bring on a private prosecution which they wouldn't pay. Any solicitor would tell them that anyway.

DONT LOSE ANY SLEEP.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Forget it they are lunatics, I am a crazy animal lover but these people are just trying to rip you off. I bury my animals in my yard I have 5 acres and plant something on them, that is what normal people do. Next time they get in touch tell them to you will be giving them a bill for the damage to your car and time lost from work and the mental anguish you feel from running over the dog.

 

[marni]

I would contact your insurance company. They have legal departments that would handle this for you. I see nothing but trouble living next to these people. They should be fined for having an unrestrained dog.

 

[Defiant540]

In the circumstance described, i.e. the dog running onto the road, you have no responsibility to compensate your neighbours.

However, if you struck the dog while it was on the footpath or nature strip, you could be in breach of Road Rule 288 (path, including footpath) or 289 (nature strip), for not giving way to an animal.

Personally I don't believe these rules should apply for a dog that's not on a leash, but the rules don't specify this distinction.

In either case, even if you have some responsibility, which is unlikely, the amount being claimed is unreasonable.

The most I would consider justified is the cost of replacing the animal with another.

you're not an animal lover are you?

 

[Defiant540]

NO!

 

[PepeLePew]

HELL NO!! As a dog owner myself I know that by law it is my responsibility to ensure my furbaby is securely enclosed in my yard at all times and if leaving the yard then making sure she is safely harnessed on a lead.
Your neighbours sound like entitled people who believe that their mistakes are never their own but that of someone else and they are trying to take advantage of your guilt.
Don't stress or loose any sleep over this, you are doing the right thing, it's your neighbours who were in the wrong by letting their dog out of their yard without it being on a lead.

 

[Luckyus]

I'd tell them where to go, the dog ran out onto the road how are you fault? phuckem!.

 

[Mrtnst]

you're not an animal lover are you?

I do love animals and would be devastated if I saw a dog, cat or other animal killed like that.

But loving animals doesn't make me ignore the responsibility of pet owners.