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Home & Harmony

Woman Says Her Dad’s Dog Attacked Her Cat and Family, then Refused to Pay Vet Bills or Rehome It

She says her dad chose the dog.

Not just once, but twice.

And both times, it ended with blood, emergency vet bills, and her 13-year-old cat barely surviving.

Now she’s asking for something she feels shouldn’t even be a debate. For him to get rid of the dog, and to pay back the $2.3K vet bill from the latest attack.

But instead, he’s refusing to do either.

black pug on white textile
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

It started as a rescue, then quickly became a problem

A few years ago, the family found a lost pitbull behind their house and decided to take him in. He didn’t have a microchip, and no one came looking for him.

Her dad bonded with the dog immediately.

At first, everything seemed fine. The dog, Milo, was described as sweet, especially with people. But there was always one issue.

Her cat, Trixie.

She had raised Trixie since she was a child, and the cat mostly stayed in her room. Milo would get overly excited whenever he saw her, which made her nervous, even if she didn’t think he meant harm.

So she tried to keep them separated.

The first attack was serious, but he still refused to act

In August 2025, things escalated fast.

While she was getting ready for class early in the morning, Milo cornered her cat. Her mom tried to pull him away, but that’s when he turned and bit her.

Then he went back to the cat.

Trixie was left with severe injuries and had to undergo major surgery after her stomach was torn open. The bill came out to $3.5K, which she paid herself. Her dad only reimbursed about half.

After that, both she and her mom wanted the dog gone.

He said no.

Instead, they installed a baby gate and tried to manage the situation, keeping Milo away from the back of the house where the cat stayed.

Then it happened again

Months later, in February, she woke up to her mom screaming.

She ran into the room and saw Milo attacking her cat again.

This time, both she and her mother were bitten trying to stop him. She said she was hitting the dog with anything she could grab, but he wouldn’t let go.

Eventually, they got him off.

Trixie survived again, but suffered a broken shoulder and head injuries. The vet bill this time was $2.3K.

He said he’d rehome the dog, then did nothing

After the second attack, her dad finally agreed the dog had to go.

But a month later, nothing has changed.

He hasn’t found a new home. He hasn’t made any visible effort to remove the dog from the house.

And when she asked about the vet bill, he refused to pay, saying she “doesn’t need it.”

Why this blew up

For her, this isn’t just about money.

It’s about the fact that this situation has already happened before, with clear warning signs, injuries, and consequences.

And despite all of that, her dad chose to keep the dog anyway.

Now it’s happened again, and it still feels like nothing is being done.

The reactions

People were almost unanimous in their response.

One user, u/mcgraggle, said, “your dad is fine endangering his wife and child not to mention the cat… next time it may not be a bill but your cat’s life.”

Another, u/PomegranateZanzibar, pointed out that while she isn’t wrong, actually getting the money or forcing action could be complicated, adding that she could take him to small claims court or report the dog, but both options come with consequences.

And u/Dachshundmom5 summed up the safety concern directly, saying, “you and the cat need to get out of that house.”

The bigger question

She’s not just asking for $2.3K.

She’s asking why, after two attacks, multiple injuries, and thousands in vet bills, her dad is still choosing to keep the dog.

And whether it’s wrong to expect him to finally take responsibility.

Because at this point, it doesn’t feel like an accident.

It feels like a decision he keeps making.

 

 

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