Rat Poison, should I sue Options

[lauriefish]

I recently posted about my dog PEEWEE eating rat poison. We bought a camp from people selling it by themselves. They did not tell us they used rat poison inside the camp. I cleaned the camp and did find some poison so I did go through the place. Unfortunatly some must have been hiding where PEEWEE could get her little body through and I guess I could not see or reach. I called the previous owners to tell them that my dog had passed on due to the rat poison they left. They were nice and sympathetic but only said that they were sorry about the dog.
Friends and family tell me that I should get at least half the money spent on vet bills and the price I paid for my dog. All I want is my PEEWEE back but thats not reality. The money does not matter but friends and family are pressuring me to sue. I have never sued anyone nor like the stress of that situation. I just dont know what to do. Please someone give me there opinion. I believe it is a tragic horrible accident but I just dont know what to do.

[karen424]

This certainly is an awful situation....I'm so sorry for your loss of Little Peewee. Yes, they should have told you about the poision but legally I'm not sure there are grounds to sue them on. To be sure you could go talk to an attorney - many offer free consultations and will tell you if you have a case or not. I am not very versed on legal issues - but as for the heartbreak of loosing a beloved pet, unfortunately I am. And I know how upset you must be. Do what you feel is the right thing to do and don't let your family and friends pressure you. You are right - sueing will not bring PeeWee back - as to whether or not you have a case, I would consult with an attorney if that's the route you want to take....

God Bless..

Karen

[eek]

I am very sorry for your loss. You sound like a very caring person and it sounds like you did everything you could to prevent this from happening.
I agree with you completely about the poison. I have several friends who loss their pets due to the accidental injestion of rat posion. Another thing people don't realize when they use this product is that animals can also die by consuming the rat who ingested the poison. There have been several suggestions to companies about this product, such as making dyes as an indictactor that something had been ingested. But I am not sure if any of these have been followed.
It seems like the person who sold the trailer should have some responsibility for what happened. The 'Right' thing for them to do, would be to pay the vet bills and the cost of the dog, but I am not sure if that is a legal thing. There is a site that answers pet legal issues, http://www.answerbag.com/c_view.php/1819 (not sure if these questions are answered by experts) another more technical website is http://www.nabr.org/animallaw/Damages/index.htm. If you went to court, it would have to be small claims since it wasn't intentional, and you might have to pay court costs, but if you go to the person who sold you the trailer, with the info and explained you had a case, maybe they would do the right thing and compensate you. Its the least they could do.

Good luck to you and your family, Michelle

[SJ J & S]

i would allow your body to grieve, i doubt you would be able to prove who put down the poison and you would just be delaying what you need to do right now and thats start to heal.

I know you want Peewee back we all want our babys back but it just isnt going to happen, you need to give yourself a hug, know you did all you could and allow the feelings to surface and be dealt with.

Put your energies into healing yourself and not a court case is my advice but you must do what you feel you need to do.

Love and hugs to your and your family

Love Sue

[LittleKitty]

I am very sorry for your loss. I think it's up to you to decide whether or not to sue. I think it might get in the way of healing from the whole ordeal. It might drag on your healing process and cause more hurt and resentment than you already feel. If you went through the process and didn't win, I think that would feel worse than not trying at all. I hope whatever decision you make is what you feel is best for yourself and family. Best wishes.