Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington
Pet Owner's responsibilty from alledged Damage
Background: Lent $300 to a former co-worker. She had agreed to pay back . I go on vaca. and asked if she would watch my dog . For a fee of $20 per day. Amount ended up to $180 by time I got back. Now I never payed her the $180 because she still owed me The $300 so I figured she was working it off. She has since quit and neither of us said anything to the other about the debt. owed so I just considered it a dead issue and live and Learn.
No 2 1/12 - 3months since she quit she is emailing me telling me I owe her this $180! I mention the $300 and If she wants to be technical she owes me $120. she retorts that during the time she pet sat my dog he destroyed various shrubs in her back yard and one comforter. the estimated worth being totaled by her at $1900+!! Now I know this girl is in serious money troubles and still has calls coming here to this office from debt collectors. I feel she is digging for gold wherever she can. What are my legal responsibilities to this person's property when she was paid for her services? Doesn't the $20 a day cover any assumed risk on her part and buy the way she has a dog herself and frequently complained about her neighbors who came in the yard as well. Do I owe her or does she still owe me?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Pet Owner's responsibilty from alledged Damage
She owes you money, most likely. You are not responsible for her allowing your dog to destroy her property. If your dog has a known propensity for being destructive and you did not tell her, she might have an argument, but I doubt it.
I'd let this sleeping dog lie. But if she goes after you (most likely in small claims court), counterclaim for what she owes you.
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