Q: My dog bit someone. Does the victim carry some liability for grabbing the dog?
The victim wants money for medical bills. Does this admit guilt?
A:
Asking someone to pay their bills suggests the opposite ---that they think it's on your dog (and you).
I suggest you contact your homeowners insurance. If you don't carry any, then it depends on the amounts of the bills.
If the person has a deductible and copays work out a fair figure and then get a release of all claims.Given the potential liability--again assuming you have no homeowners--then it's worth it to pay if necessary for a lawyer's consultation and the lawyer drawing up a release.
If the other person "grabbed the dog" it may or may not be assumption of risk. If they grabbed the dog because they thought the dog was lunging at a child it wouldn't be on them. It also depends where it happened--on your property, you can have the dog running more freely than if it's not on your property in which case it should be on a leash and under control at all times.
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