Being left with vet bills...

[allaboutponies]

Hi all,
I had a pony on a "lifetime loan" from a "sanctuary for 3 years. I say "sanctuary" like that because they are not actually registered anywhere and run off of properties that businesses aren't allowed to be run off of. ANYWAY, I digress! They are the LEGAL owners of this pony and came out of the blue and took the pony back after concerns about the ponys ongoing health and quality of life was raised. The pony was taken and has not been returned to me. I am now left with an outstanding vet bill of £900 from all of the treatments that this pony needed WITHOUT actually having the pony. Where do I stand in regards to being able to forward these vet bills back to the woman at the "sanctuary"? It would be different if this pony was still in my care then, of course, there would be no issue in paying it. Please note that I also sent over £150 in medication with the pony the night they took her.

I will contact the vets and legal advice but wondered what advice/insight you guys would give in the meantime!

Thanks in advance!!

**Please just note that this bill was on a payment plan to pay it off, I have temporarily stopped whilst I find out where I stand with this.

 

[ester]

It's your bill if you agreed the treatment with the vets so you should continue to pay them regardless, if you then want to chase the owner for the monies do that separately.
Did you have a contract?

 

[fredflop]

It's your bill if you agreed the treatment with the vets so you should continue to pay them regardless, if you then want to chase the owner for the monies do that separately.
Did you have a contract?

this is right. You need to pay the vet. If your a member of BHS contact them for legal advice

 

[AmyMay]

Your bill, your debt.

 

[AUB]

Who called the vet? The vets legal claim is with the one who made the agreement with them ie the one who called them out. The sanctuary cannot have the vet out on your behalf (without you giving them the power to do so) and vice versa. If I remember correctly, negotiorum gestio doesn’t apply in the UK.

 

[scats]

If the pony was under your care at the time, it’s your bill to settle with the vet. You could then try and get that money back off the rescue (though I’m not sure if you can or not, was a contract drawn up?)

 

[ihatework]

You pay the bill for the pony who was your responsibility at the time

 

[Upthecreek]

The pony was in your care at the time the vet treatment was given, it is completely irrelevant that you no longer have the pony. You are responsible for the debt.

 

[McFluff]

You need to continue with your payment plan with the vets. That is your debt (it is not attached to the pony - e.g. if the pony died, you would still have to pay off the bill) and if you stop payments, you could end up with credit issues (which could affect your future ability to get payment plans etc.).
You then need to pick up the issue with the pony being taken (along with medication) separately and seek quality legal advice on this.
My word of warning - legal processes are time (and emotion) consuming and often don't give the outcome you feel they should. So consider carefully (after advice) whether to proceed.

 

[Goldenstar]

It’s your bill continue to pay it I can’t imagine why you are even asking the question .

 

[MissTyc]

It's still your bill, I'm afraid. Just like if a horse dies after attempted treatment and you're left paying the vet debt for the next months/years while not having the horse any more.
I can understand you're upset about losing your pony and the situation. Money is always a stressor, but in this case you'll need to keep up the payment plan with your vet or they will pursue you for the debt (and probably not want to sign on any future horses you might own/loan).

 

[ycbm]

. It's a very unusual move when it will cost the sanctuary money. I think I would need to know what was wrong with the pony before I could say whether you can try and get your money back from them. You certainly can't withhold it from the vet.

Is this the pony with the scarred liver?

 

[Goldenstar]

The pony does not belong to OP the owner removed it .
I would guess it’s not going to be going back .
She just needs to pay her bill and move on .

 

[Polos Mum]

I agree with all above - sorry. You asked the vet to come and hence it is your bill, what happened afterwards makes no difference to your arrangement with your vets.

It is very like having expensive treatment (colic surgery) and then the horse dies, you have a massive bill to pay and no pony.

Sorry to have lost a pony you cared for but that is always a risk with loaning

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You need to continue with your payment plan with the vets. That is your debt (it is not attached to the pony - e.g. if the pony died, you would still have to pay off the bill) and if you stop payments, you could end up with credit issues (which could affect your future ability to get payment plans etc.).
You then need to pick up the issue with the pony being taken (along with medication) separately and seek quality legal advice on this.
My word of warning - legal processes are time (and emotion) consuming and often don't give the outcome you feel they should. So consider carefully (after advice) whether to proceed.

This is true but you might be able to claim the vet bills back through the Small Claims Court.

 

[allaboutponies]

That is not h

I'm not sure I'd want a forum to know that a sanctuary had removed a pony from me after someone had reported that it wasn't being properly cared for. It's a very unusual move when it will cost them money. I think I would need to know what was wrong with the pony before I could say whether you can try and get your money back from them. You certainly can't withhold it from the vet.

Is this the pony with the scarred liver?

That was not at all how it happened, It was ME that raised the concerns about the pony's health to them. With them still being legal owners. They decided then that they'd rather take the pony back than work with me to help the pony. Totally out of my control as they were legal owners.

 

[allaboutponies]

I have contacted bhs legal line, and rung the vets this morning to pay the payment plan.

Thanks for your advice everyone

 

[ycbm]

That is not h


That was not at all how it happened, It was ME that raised the concerns about the pony's health to them. With them still being legal owners. They decided then that they'd rather take the pony back than work with me to help the pony. Totally out of my control as they were legal owners.

Sorry, I read it the other way. I'll edit my post. I hope they are going to do the right thing by the pony, you must be concerned about her.
.

 

[Gloi]

Is this the pony you have been having health problems with for a while?

 

[Polos Mum]

I have contacted bhs legal line, and rung the vets this morning to pay the payment plan.

Thanks for your advice everyone

Such a shame when you try and do the right thing.

If it hasn't put you off completely the professional proper registered charities can be quite different. I had a companion pony from Bransby Horses and they were great when he got older and had health issues and were very supportive of me even up to the final decision. I worried that they would be 'life at all costs' / 'bunny hugger' about him but they were very sensible and pragmatic.