I recently got an email indicating that a pet owner might take legal action against me due to fleas. Is this justified or nuts?
Here is the info:
For the past few months, I have periodically been dogsitting at my place on the weekends for extra cash. I take care of 1-2 dogs at a time and have received excellent reviews from dog owners and I have many repeat clients.
I have a clean apartment with hardwood floors that I sweep and a large dog bed with removable mattress plastic mattress protectors that I wash regularly. I take dogs to the dogpark twice a day with owners' permission.
I semi recently sat for a repeat client. Everything went well. I love his dog, Benji. However, 4 days after the stay ended, Benji's owner called me and said that Benji got fleas and he believes it's my fault. The fleas got onto their furniture and Benji has scratches from itching.
I immediately called all my other clients including a dog that overlapped with Benji. Nobody reported having fleas. I put out multipe flea traps in my place for a few nights in a row ... they didn't catch any fleas.
Benji did not exhibit flea symptoms while with me over the weekend. When/if he scratched at his collar, it looked like when other dogs do the same thing for non flea reasons. He has very thick fur that would have hidden signs of flea eggs.
Benji's owner was very upset. He said he was additionally upset because he said his young kids were put at risk and they got fleas in their furniture.
I responded that nobody else reported fleas, even after many days had passed. I also said that I had their permission to take Benji to the dogpark, where dogs might brush against other dogs with fleas.
I don't have a lot of money so I'm concerned about the possibility of legal action. I think they want me to pay them for more than just the cost of Benji's stay. Benji's owner is a lawyer.
I feel bad for their situation but I'm not convinced it's my fault. I also don't think it can be proven that Benji got the fleas while with me because I've read that flea eggs can take up to 2 weeks to hatch.
Am I at fault? What should I do? What is the worst they can do to me legally and otherwise?
Thanks for your input!
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