- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee
Almost a month ago, my cat sitting in my yard was viciously attacked by 2 of my neighbor's dogs, and just about died. I got the cat to the Vet returned home and called the Sheffie to make a report. After that, the cat stayed at the Vet for a long time. When she came back home it included a hefty vet bill. When I went to the Sheriff's office to ask for a copy of the report on the incident, they handed me a paper to file an Affidavit for general sessions court for 'Dog at large' and told me they don't do reports any other way. I scratched my head a bit confused and walked off. I was not quite ready to go that extreme, let's try to be more neighborly first I thought. So I sent my neighbor a letter of demand detailing what had happened. Also, I had attached the Vet bill and told him I would like to get this settled within the next 2 weeks or I would have to proceed with filing with General Session Court on this matter.
Yesterday, I got a letter from his Attorney saying he accepts no blame nor any wrongdoing or fault in the injury of my cat and therefore is willing to give my 1/2 on the Vet bill and in return sign an agreement a nondisclosure agreement about the involving of the injury of my cat.
Well, here is the thing. The bill is high and even 1/2 bill will still leave a large sum on my end, that I should not have to cover. The funny thing is I am not even charging him for the 3 visits I have been doing since she has returned home for follow-ups and removing the staples. I have been paying does myself. He is responsible for the injury of my cat and the negligence of keeping his dogs in his yards, this is not the first time they have been in my yard causing trouble. I have dogs too, and mine are in my yard.
OK, the question, do I need to retain a lawyer on this matter, or should I just file that Affidavit like the Sherriff said from the beginning? If I have to get a Lawyer and spend more money on this matter can I sue my neighbor for the extra expenses as well?
If I wanted to return a letter to his Lawyer, what would be a smart thing to say?
I am in Tennessee.
Yesterday, I got a letter from his Attorney saying he accepts no blame nor any wrongdoing or fault in the injury of my cat and therefore is willing to give my 1/2 on the Vet bill and in return sign an agreement a nondisclosure agreement about the involving of the injury of my cat.
Well, here is the thing. The bill is high and even 1/2 bill will still leave a large sum on my end, that I should not have to cover. The funny thing is I am not even charging him for the 3 visits I have been doing since she has returned home for follow-ups and removing the staples. I have been paying does myself. He is responsible for the injury of my cat and the negligence of keeping his dogs in his yards, this is not the first time they have been in my yard causing trouble. I have dogs too, and mine are in my yard.
OK, the question, do I need to retain a lawyer on this matter, or should I just file that Affidavit like the Sherriff said from the beginning? If I have to get a Lawyer and spend more money on this matter can I sue my neighbor for the extra expenses as well?
If I wanted to return a letter to his Lawyer, what would be a smart thing to say?
I am in Tennessee.