Hey, so yesterday I was at a friends apartment who also has a husky and they always get along fine. The friend invited another person and their dog over (6month old dutch shepherd). We were there to try some of the food she made for us. Anyways, there was a toy on the ground and my husky (1yr old and same size as other dog) and the shepherd mix got into it over a toy for literally 2 seconds. My dog snagged the other dog on the lip/muzzle area during their 2 second altercation and gave the other dog a little scrape. The owner of the shepherd took her dog to the vet. She comes back 20min later with an estimate of close to 600-a ridiculous price at the most expensive vet around, trust me because I used to go there (they wanted 450 to spay my dog who weighed 35lbs, I went to the humane society where it was 150...). I am certain the vet took advantage of this first time dog owner and racked up the prices. I could have asked her to get an estimate at a more reasonable veterinary office but I didn't want any more drama so I immediately offered to pay half, that is all I can afford because I am a college student. Obviously they are both puppies exhibiting competition/resource guarding over a toy and her dogs teeth happened to miss my dog. Luckily the neighbors house we were at saw it and helped me tell this inexperienced dog owner why it occurred. My neighbor told me this girl is 19 with her first dog ever and she said she doesn't have a job yet she is living in an expensive apartment complex on her own without a job... I offered to help either way. After trying to educate her, she was still convinced it was a purposeful act of aggression even though the same dog and mine play fine in the dog park nearly every day:roll:. However, later that day on a hike with different neighbors a different set of dogs got into it on the trail. One was a 4month old puppy who got bit on the neck from some mean mix breed. The owner took the pup to a different vet who cleaned the wound and gave it antibiotics for less than half the cost. :xI am a really laid back guy and handled it pretty well. I offered to help with the vet bill right away without her asking and made sure I took care of the financial aspect the same day. She is still a new dog owner and has tons to learn about dog behavior but there is no way my dog or hers did it purposefully. Thoughts on this situation? Anything similar happened to any of you guys?

It sounds like you handled it well and I would just chalk it up to part of owning a dog. If I were you, I would limit my dogs interaction with that dog going forward. Not because I think they will hurt each other, but because the owner sounds dangerously uninformed. The last thing I would want is for something to happen to my dog out of her ignorance. 

I saw a similar situation at the dog park yesterday. My little guy is getting close to getting his final round of shots, so I've been checking out the nearby dog parks solo, to see where I feel okay about taking him. There were about 6 various size dogs playing, including a large one that looked like a dane mix (not aggressive at all). Well, three people come in with a really skinny black grey hound mix, that comes in and runs around at mach 9 for about 5 min straight and a game of chase ensues. So, once Fin, the hound mix, stops running, the dane mix came over and started playing with her. It was normal play, and nothing looked bad to me, the only thing was that the dane mix was grabbing the collar of the hound mix, but she could have outrun him if she was uncomfortable. But one of the girls that brought Fin in was freaking out and kept calling her, and started yelling at the owner of the dane mix. I tried to calm her down and tell her that it was just totally normal play, but she really thought it was a fight and Fin was gonna die or something, meanwhile Fin kept trying to approach dane to continue playing. Come to find out they literally had JUST picked up Fin from the shelter and decided to take her to the dog park, and it was their first dog. So I'm pretty sure she didn't even know her name yet. Needless to say, I got annoyed and left, and so did 3 or 4 other people and dogs in the park. 

It kind of hit me that once Dizzy is an adult and looks like a "full grown wolf" I'm going to have to be very careful about who I allow him to play with, and when to leave a situation, his dog park days are probably limited to when he no longer looks like a puppy. I would hate to have someone call the police because of normal play or a minor incident and have something happen to my dog.

I don't think you'll have much to worry about. There was a husky and a doberman playing at the dog park the other day and husky does have a tendancy to grab collars (she's done it to Karli and when Karli was little her owner got after her for it) and she almost got stuck in the doberman's collar. Neither owner minded, because this group is usually pretty aware of how their dogs play. I would scope out the parks and talk to some of the owners and find ones you would like Dizzy to play with.

As to the OP, I think you handled it well. You were dealing with a brand new owner who honestly seems to not really know what she's doing. You get that a lot with people who are brand new to dogs. They get really worried with the way they play. My hubby was like that at first, always trying to help Karli out of situations and you just have to let her do it herself. I, too, would minimize your dog's contact with this lady's dog til she learns more, because otherwise she could accuse your dog of all kinds of things that are even true.

Had this happen in reverse. My friends Akita bit kiba on the face but we were able to buy some dog antibiotic ointment and it healed in its own. The vet looked at it and wasn't concerned in the very least. I would keep your dog separate from hers though because its not worth the trouble if something happened again. You could also call the vet yourself just to see what they quote you over the phone if your afraid she's given you a higher price than what was actually stated. I've called about prices before and never had anyone give me a hard time just for asking because most vets understand that like any other expense, you like to know ahead of time to be prepared. Just say that your dog or "a" dog had this happen to them and what's normal charge to have it looked at and stitched up? Ect.

Thanks for the responses! Yea I have been keeping my dog away from the dog park in our apartment complex as well as away from her. A neighbor informed me her dog has two tiny stitches that you can barely see and that she tells people my husky viciously attacked her dog unprovoked. A little side to the story I left out originally was she was in the other room when the incident happened while I was standing right next to them lol, so silly. Aside from her thinking and spreading rumors about my dog-today I was walking my dog (on the leash of course and always) and there is her dog playing Off leash with other puppies and bigger dogs from our neighborhood while running across the small parking/street area. As if nothing happened. It just so happened to see my dog and started running toward me and my husky so the owner manages to grab her dog hard by the scruff and yanks the poor thing back and yells at it...great way to handle an injured dog. Not only is she allowing her dogs small wound to get a possible bacterial infection by being outside with other dogs she risks her dog becoming aggressive over a small wound. How can the dog play with a small suture on its muzzle without coming in contact with other dogs saliva, dirt, or the suture coming undone, etc? Since we share the same veterinary office I think it will be best if I call them tomorrow and inform them of the conditions she keeps her dog in while it is "recovering" just in case the poor dogs small wound does get infected and she tries to blame me for that to. I know this is a rant but seriously I could not believe that a day later she has the dog outside running around the street off leash with other dogs. Some people are just irresponsible.

Most dogs dislike mine on sight, doesn't matter the breed, I even had an owner tell me his dog never barked at another dog before. He was also attacked by a husky. I had to pull the husky off him myself his handler was an 11 yr old girl, he was fine but I was frightend.  I wasn't alone when the Jack Russel bit him over the eye and again he was fine. it's so unfair as he is a beautiful dog, he just wants to get pet and play!

looks like you handled it the right way when it happened, as for now, it sounds like she needs to learn how to be a good dog owner.... dont stoop to her level of calling vets and such but continue to show everyone at your complex how well behaved your husky is and they will soon learn she is full of it. our neighbors dog broke through our back fence and cut sierra good on the nose and lip, i think the bill was under $300. only reason i did take her to the vet was cause it was another dog, if it was jack i would have just cleaned it up. he paid for all most all of the bill and has replaced all the wood panels as soon as his one dog brakes them, it seems they will never be fence mates. 
hey are you a member of our H2M2 group on FB?

I think you handled it well I would definitely stay away from her from now on though and she doesn't seem like a very educated pet owner and with a dutch shepherd. I hope she knows how much work they can be....

She can't blame you for an infection that her dog got (if he gets infected from the cut).  If anything, the vet would blame her for improper care and attention to the wound.  The vet could also be at blame if they didn't fix it properly.  The point is, in a realistic situation, it won't trail back to you. 

That is such crap that she is telling everyone your husky is aggressive.  Give it a few more weeks - everyone will see how well behaved your husky is on a leash while interacting with other dogs and they'll take her crap with a grain of salt.

You're handling it the right way, just avoid her like the plague from now on.  She seems very careless and misinformed.  $600 is pretty high, I would definitely try to call the vet and get a quote on that.  Then again, you do live in NY and the living costs are more expensive up there.

Good luck.  I hope she leaves you alone.

EDIT: If it was me, I wouldn't pay her a dime until I see the vet bill, even if it was my own dog's fault.  I would OFFER to pay (and pay it, as long as she provided the bill).  People are so cynical and greedy with money these days, they'll lie to your face.  It's disgusting.  Also, a reasonable person wouldn't go to the most expensive place around town if they were jobless.  My $.02.

So a little update, I asked for a receipt and turns out she ended up taking her dog somewhere cheaper, (good thing I asked) which changed things quite a bit. I voided the first check through the bank and told her once I see the new numbers I will write a new check and all will be good. 
-Jenn- Yes I am a member of the H2M2 and I was at the huddle yesterday! My husky was the one in the pictures with her feet digging in the big water bowls lol, I believe I met you too if I am not mistaken, I mentioned the forum and me admiring your hikes but forgot to introduce myself haha. I was the guy with longer hair lol.

Yes we did talk! Matching ruff wear collars right? Was wondering how u knew about my hikes glad u got updated info. Sounds like she was trying to get a way with some extra cash from you!

Yes I am sure that was her intention, sneaky girl lol. The matching ruff wear collars is right indeed, good products. I enjoy reading the hiking posts, great pics and interesting reads so keep em coming! One of these days I will have to gather my pics and put some of mine up there haha