Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Alaska

My dog bit another dog in my apartment building. My lease states I am responsible for any damages caused by my dog, so I'm liable for the vet bills. The other dog's owner gave my bill (an "estimate") of $563 and claimed I owed that much. I contacted the vet clinic and the actual invoice total was $271. I have no problem paying the $271 if I have to, but isn't what the other owner did fraud? Do I have a case for not paying anything since they tried to get nearly $300 extra out of me?


Asked on 7/08/10, 8:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terrence Thorgaard Thorgaard Law Firm

It depends, in part, on the circumstances of the $563 "estimate". Was this an actual estimate prepared by the vet? Was it the same vet that actually cared for the dog? Why was it different than what the vet clinic told you?

If the owner were to sue you in small claims court, the judge would probably be interested in asking about the inflated "estimate", might somehow sanction them if the judge determines that they were giving you a fraudulently inflated bill, but ultimately would probably award the dog owner the $271.

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Answered on 7/10/10, 4:42 pm


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