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 #1730322


Senshokukiba
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 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

You guys have to read this!

The driver of a 1997 Honda Civic that struck and killed a dog near Cloquet is suing the dog’s owners for damage done to his vehicle.

Jeffery Ely was driving on the night of Jan. 4 when Fester, a miniature pinscher, squeezed past owner Nikki Munthe as she was letting in her other dog and ran out onto the road. Ely’s car struck Fester, killing the 13-pound dog instantly.

Now Ely is suing the Munthes for about $1,100 for damage to his car, time he had to take off from his two jobs to get the car repaired, and court fees.

Pieces of the bumper were propelled into the radiator when it hit the dog, Ely said, necessitating a replacement. Ely maintains he didn’t have problems driving until after the accident and that the radiator issues were not pre-existing.

Ely said he feels sorry for the Munthes’ loss but, as a dog owner himself, feels that they must be responsible for their pets’ actions.

"I have complete compassion for them," Ely said. "I know how it feels. I love dogs. But once you get them, they are your responsibility."

Munthe said she has always been worried about the busy road the family lives on.

"We would have never let him off-leash because we’re so terrified of this road," she said.

The case will be heard in St. Louis County Court on Friday.

The Munthes have filed a $2,400 countersuit against Ely for the cost to buy Fester, the time they had to take off work for court appearances, and the cost of buying a dog to replace Fester.



05/09/08  01:47pm

 #1730389


EM-JAY
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   Message To: Senshokukiba   In reference to Message Id: 1730322


 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

well thats so called justice for ya
05/09/08  03:21pm

 #1730447


ShellBabe
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   Message To: Senshokukiba   In reference to Message Id: 1730322


 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

When a dog gets killed and the car got damaged then I don’t think there should be suing allowed. I mean you both had losses.

I think that both of their sides are crap but the case suing for replacing the dog I thnk is good. I mean completely fair seeing how they were sued for such a lunitic idea like that.

Anywho, way to go Munthe family!
05/09/08  04:06pm

 #1730679


Sw1c
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   Message To: ShellBabe   In reference to Message Id: 1730447


 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

ok yard should have been closed in, but on same hand the guy shoudla left at that. because now hes makign them take time off work so theres his side shoudl be tossed out. damages depending on road can be argued shoudla been paying more attention. after all spossed to watch out for kids. and anythign goign to road. so i think both sides technically shoudl be tossed out. cut losses of dog lost and damage to car and go seperate ways. givemn the guy feels need to sue, in their case countersuit is acceptable since first suite shouldnt have been in place to start
05/09/08  08:45pm

 #1731449


TurtleBites
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   Message To: Sw1c   In reference to Message Id: 1730679


 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

its sad but happens often. my dog a few yrs ago jumped the wall and was hit. the person was speeding in a residential area hit my boy and left him to die. a young man saw it happen. the man go out of his car and checked the damage and left with out even looking to see if my baby was ok. luckily someone saw it and tried to help my boy and called us (had tags on). my boy didn’t make it(after 3,000 in vet bills). i wanted to call the police( the man that saw it got the plate num) but i was told by many people not to because i could have a lawsuit on my hands. it was a terrible loss but in the long run my boy shouldn’t have been out running the streets so it was our fault for not keeping him chained or whatever. terrible lesson to learn..

RIP trial



05/10/08  09:49pm

 #1732803


No_glory
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   Message To: TurtleBites   In reference to Message Id: 1731449


 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

i read about this the other day. all i want to know is how the heck did that little dog do that much damage to a car? also mini pins are not very tall so how it the dog hit the bumper? Also To do that much damage to the car the guy would have had be to going pretty fast to cause that much damage from a 13 pound min pin if he was in a neghibour (SP) street he would have had to be speeding. i think the guy car was messed up before and the guy just wants to use the dog as a way to get it fixed



05/12/08  10:25am

 #1744024


NalaGirl
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   Message To: No_glory   In reference to Message Id: 1732803


 Driver kills dog, then sues owners for damage!

You guys would love to watch court shows if you don’t already! You’d be a good jury for a bigger case. But it is always sad when a dog gets hit. I know because I’ve had a dog get hit. At least the driver stuck around and didn’t do a Hit & Run, but he shouldn’t sue especially if he too is a dog owner he should be more understanding that sometimes your dog(s) can sneak past you and get into trouble. There was no way (other than a fence) to stop the dog from running out into the street.



05/23/08  10:44am


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