We have a rescue dot that is unpredictable. The Rover sitter knows that she has issues and knows that there is a risk. What if my dog does bite, does Rover Insurance cover that?
No, the Rover Guarantee - it is not insurance, does not cover the sitter in case of injury. This article describes the coverage https://www.rover.com/guarantee/
Under California law, the owner is liable if your dog bites someone. https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/dog-bite-laws-liability-california.html#:~:text=California%20is%20a%20%22Strict%20Liability%22%20Dog%20Bite%20State&text=This%20means%20that%20an%20owner,has%20never%20bitten%20anyone%20before (https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/pe…).
If you have a dog who bites, it doesn't belong on Rover.
Rover might be liable too.
Rover doesn’t actually have to cover it because the sitters are, technically, self employed. However, sitters can sue the owners if they choose to. The only way that the owner won’t be held liable is if the sitter signs a waiver and acknowledges the fact that the dog is known to be aggressive and bite, prior to them watching the dog. Also, owners are responsible is a dog bites during a meet & greet. The only time an owner isn’t responsible is if there are signs and it’s on their own property.
What if it occurs during a meet and greet?
No - rover does Not cover any injuries arising from a meet and greet ( even though it’s in everyone best interests to have meet& greet to establish suitability of a match before booking).
Just got bit badly during a meet and greet and the owners responded with "Yeah, she does that". These dogs do not belong on Rover. There needs to be a better review process for the 20% we are forfeiting to them.
Tara: That’s horrible. I agree. Please report to animal control. You likely don’t know the owners full name and address so also please report to Rover trust and safety, so they can cooperate with A.C. as legally required, note on the dogs file, and hopefully remove from platform or at least warn!
Any dog can be unpredictable when around new people etc. They're animals. If your sitter believes she can handle a dog that can bite, then it's her choice and she is responsible for the dog should he attack her or any other people, children or dogs.
That is ABSOLUTELY not true!!!!! The ONLY way that the sitter would be “responsible” (and by that I mean, unable to pursue a lawsuit) is if the sister signed a waiver, acknowledging the risk and choosing to accept it. However, it would be allowed on Rover.
Rovers insurance does not cover if the dog bites to the sitters. As far as you being held responsible, NO you would NOT be responsible to cover medical bills either.
As long as you have been open and honest about your dogs unpredictability and made sure the sitter was informed and aware of your dogs situation you are not responsible if your dog does bite the sitter. Being that you are paying the sitter, she is therefore considered a "professional". As a professional pet sitter it is her responsibility to know which dogs she can handle and which ones she can not. She should not accept the dog if she is not confident that she knows how to read the behavior of the dogs and knows how to deal with aggressive pets. When she agrees to watch your dog, she is agreeing to accept responsibility for the pet and his/her actions while your pet is in her care.
So it does not become, "a he said she said" situation. I would recommend (if you have not done so already) make sure that you are using your Rover numbers, this way the conversation about your concerns is documented. You, the sitter, and Rover will all then have a copy of the conversation.
(working in an animal hospital for 20 years, one of the first things we are taught, is if it is not written down it did not happen. So just make sure everything is written down.)
Best of Luck!!
I was attacked by a dog described as sweet and friendly.5 stitches, both hands damaged. Owners had dog dropped of by neighbour who was very irritated by him. When owners came for pick up, I showed them the video of what happened and my visit to urgent care. Their response - oh he bit us many times.
Yeah, because these people wanna go on vacation so bad that they will say anything to be able to go on vacation. It doesn’t matter if you get destroyed or attacked.
Yeah….. the person that says they’ve worked in an animal hospital for over 20 years, has no clue what they’re talking about. Unless the sitter signed a waiver, the owner is VERY MUCH responsible and can be sued (and would lose)!!!