At the beginning of this year Isle of Wight resident, Sue Ellis, faced a vet bill of more than £7,600 after her cat, Colin, was bitten badly by a dog. This is despite the attacking dog’s owner having Pet Insurance with a reputable firm.
The saga began when a family friend and their 40-kilogram dog visited Sue’s home in January. All seemed well as the animals had a friendly rapport. However, the unexpected happened when the dog suddenly attacked Colin, inflicting severe injuries.
Weighing a mere 4 kilograms, Colin was left in unbearable pain, unable to walk.
Immediate action and surgery
Recognising the severity of the situation, Sue immediately rushed Colin to the vet. The examination revealed a broken pelvis in two places, completely separated from the spine, necessitating a major operation.
Sue says that a delay in surgery, due to insurance company’s indecisiveness, resulted in an extra cost of £1,000.
An uphill battle: Surgery and rehabilitation
The surgery, albeit delayed, was successful. Colin was transferred via emergency ambulance to a specialist vet team who put him back together.
After two weeks of nursing care, he was allowed to return home. With ongoing rehabilitation and cage rest, the resilient cat made a remarkable recovery, returning to his normal activities, much to the delight of Sue.
Insurance nightmare: Refusal to cover the vet bills
Despite the happy end to the ordeal for the cat, a battle with the insurance company ensued for Sue and the dog’s owner.
Statements were provided to the insurance company in early January, but acknowledgment and feedback were severely lacking, says Sue.
She added that the process was filled with vague questions, poor communication, and missed deadlines.
Liability denied: A shocking decision
In June, a disheartening email arrived from the insurance company’s solicitor.
Sue explained to News OnTheWight that the company was denying liability and refused to cover the substantial vet bills.
Their reason was a lack of prior knowledge and any evidence of negligence on their part. In addition, they prohibited the dog’s owner from admitting liability, stating that it would invalidate their insurance.
Challenging the decision: What’s next?
Currently, the decision is being contested, and the Financial Ombudsman Service will be the next step in this process.
However, the negotiation could take several months, and having been faced with such large unexpected vet’s bills, Sue is in dire need of financial assistance.
The monetary burden: A plea for assistance
The total medical costs have amounted to a staggering £7,651.11, covering X-rays, operation fees, 24/7 nursing care, and more.
A fundraising effort to cover almost 50 per cent of this cost, totaling £3,000, is underway to provide some respite until the insurance company hopefully does the right thing.
Spread the word: Call to the public
The appeal is for assistance in spreading the word as much as it is for financial aid.
Sue is not particularly active on social media, thus needs help in reaching out to potential donors.
Any legal professionals with insight into expediting the process are also being sought after. Although there is no guarantee of the outcome, any contribution, big or small, is much appreciated.
Show your support
If you would like to help Sue, you can show your support by heading over to the Go Fund Me Page.
Article edit
5.30pm 31st Jul 2023 – First para changed slightly to make clear the insurance claim was being made by the dog owner, not Sue
