What's mildly irritating you today?

[Chocolatl]

I'm inclined to think it's an accident, but some friends on FB have said the dog should be put down and that they would sue the dog's owners.

Nobody euthanizes and sues a cat for killing a bird, right? Interesting to me the difference.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Chocolatl

and that they would sue the dog's owners.

That's just ridiculous. How are they going to prove some sort of financial loss over the death of the cat? If the cat was very valuable, maybe as a breeding cat, they might have a case, but then they would be negligent to allow such an expensive cat to roam free. A coyote or fox could take the cat, or a car could hit it, or it could get trapped somewhere, or catch a disease. The cat owners are more to blame than the dog owner. And it was probably just a regular cat anyway. Loved, sure, but not of any financial value.

Dog owners are generally held responsible for the actions for their animals, so they do bear responsibility. But if the cat died, what are they supposed to do? Buy a new one?

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by glatt

Loved, sure, but not of any financial value.

Like children?

Originally Posted by glatt

But if the cat died, what are they supposed to do? Buy a new one?

They're supposed to do the same thing as if the dog dented someone's car, or chewed up their fancy plastic fence. Fix it, or replace it, and provide compensation for loss. Loss of, whatever, value, affection, appearance, performance, companionship, peace of mind...