Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Julian Earl — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 21:41:59 GMT

If it escapes from the owner's basket then it is surely the fault of the person who fastened the basket-door? If the owner did this in the consulting room, then I believe the vet or nurse has a responsibility to check whether it is secure if the animal is going into a waiting room etc. But the ultimate responsibility is only with the individual who failed to secure the basket's opening.

Other than that, an escaping animal from the practice is invariably the practice's fault. Human error and carelessness with doors or windows as the case may be.It is an inexcusable mistake to let an animal escape from a practice. Purely human-error, No ifs or buts!I think that makes it negligent?

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Bob Russell — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 10:10:36 GMT

Nice easy one!

The practice is responsible for any escapes from the premises. Gray area when the cat is in a dodgy box but our responsibility if the cat arrives in arms and we do not provide the use of a basket. If refused, down to the owner.

Once outside it is their problem but I agree we should be as helpful as possible.

Any publicity should state 'escaped going to or coming from the vets'.

I am another one dab handed with the cable ties!

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:28:43 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"] It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who turn up holding cats in a towel or blanket rather than having them in a carrier.[/quote]In this case my nurses get a basket and insist that the owners put the cat in it and are charged a returnable deposit on it to take it home. If they refuse they are told very bluntly that if anything happens they are totally responsible. Same with dogs with no collar/lead.

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Stephen Courtney — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 18:40:28 GMT

That was an interesting point of Clive's asking the client to check they are happy with the security of the cage as I usually am the one who reinserts the cat and closes it all up.

If peoples cat boxes are not secure i usually tell them so, reinforce with cable ties for them and recommend a replacement - I might well elevate this to official recorded veterinary advice

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Clive Ansell — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 10:30:48 GMT

It is the owners responsibility within the building too; they should have their pets adequately restrained, constrained, muzzled if necessary and under control at all times. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who turn up holding cats in a towel or blanket rather than having them in a carrier.

If a pet does escape outside of the building, do everything possible to help them to find it by all means, but ultimately they are entirely responsible.

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 09:03:30 GMT

Owner's responsibility once outside the building BUT , especially in these days of social media, the practice needs to do everything they can to help rather than focussing on being too defensive over who is at fault and not appearing to care.

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Clive Ansell — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 08:29:18 GMT

The owner: their cat, their basket, their responsibility.

If I put a cat back into a carrier I will always ask the owner to make sure it is secure before they leave.

I had a case in my first job. Cat left the practice secured in a carrier. Woman sits on wall to have a cigarette and opens carrier to stroke cat. Cat escapes, and woman blames practice for stressing the cat which caused it to run off (Nothing to do with her opening it of course!). Was presented the next day as a stray and reunited with owner (No microchip, No thank you or apology)

RE: Escaped cat - who's fault is it?

Nicola Cole — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 22:51:37 GMT

Don't know the actual answer but I make a point of checking the cat is secure before it leaves my room so I'd blame the owner!