Lizard-sitter killed my lizard!

[dstirbt]

Sorry, long post, i just need some advice!

I had a healthy pet water dragon, his name was Friedrich and i had him for 4 years with absolutely no health problems. ( not even snout rub!)

A very close friend of mine, a trustworthy friend offered to care for him while i was doing some home renovations. He had minimal experience with reptiles but i personally believe that theyre easy to care for. I showed him how to properly handle the animal but explained that he should just be left in peace for the week.

The tank, supplies, food, and lights were brought over to his place and put in his living room. Friedrich adapted well, i know this because he was actively eating fruit within 30 mins of being moved.

Within not even 24 hours, i got a call from my friend, asking what the lizard looked like when he was sleeping. After my explanation, he asked if i could drop by his place and take a look at Friedrich.

When i arrived at his place, i found out that my friend actually "had went to the store": and told me i could go inside.

I remember that horrible feeling when i looked into the lifeless eyes of my pet, whose personality ive grown to love over 4 years.

His back was shattered, his hips were severely bruised and had died in an agonized position, curled sideways.

I called my friend, in tears, to ask what happened, and after no clear answer, i took Friedrich home to be buried under my lilac bush.

Im getting choked up just writing this.

My friend is now ignoring me, ignoring my calls and text messages and this has been going on for 5 days.

What should i do? I want to be reimbursed because this is 4 years and hundreds of dollars down the drain! Any thoughts?

[Pavel]

Oh that really is sad, Dstribt. I'm sorry to hear that.

I don't know what if any 'reimbursement' you might be able to get if your friend refuses to offer any. How unfortunate to not even be sure just how this happened. (Was it simply an accident? Was someone else over at this friend's house who was malicious or irresponsible? So many possibilities.)

Sorry for your loss.

[gasteriaphile]

Very bad. And, unfortunately, it only confirms my general philosophy loosely termed "Murphy's Law". I simply DO NOT TRUST ANYONE with my things. Period.
I suggest this might be a rule of thumb for others (but I might be wrong).
Given your description of the animal's condition, it seems pretty clear that someone got into that cage and did something pretty dire. And your "friend" probably knows what happened too.

[beckdg]

your (hopefully ex) "friend" knows what happened and is not willing to face you for fear of something depending on who you and said "friend" are as people. maybe a fight... maybe the guilt... or anything in between. i am with gasteriaphile on this one. murphy's law and hopefully lesson learned. the first time is hard and from what i've seen each successive time gets worse when an animal lover feels they've allowed their pets to get harmed. do not blame yourself. sometimes we have to learn the hard way. remember this lesson forever.

above is my beliefs and my suggestions, take it for what it's worth...

this hit me hard. as i read it my heart dropped. i feel for you and am sorry that happened. no animal should go through that.

if you are looking for reimbursement or closure by it i might see if a lawyer could help. at the very least they could advise you on what you could do i would think.

[froggsong]

First, this a such a horrific story, and I am SO sorry for your loss. I own a water dragon myself, and picturing your poor baby that way has brought tears to my eyes from thinking how I would feel in your situation.

My advice would be for you to consult a lawyer. I'm sure you probably didn't, but if you did take any pictures before you buried him, they will be helpful. Depending on your state, the animal may be considered as personal property. If you do speak to a lawyer, find out if you can also sue for pain and suffering. It's a shame you didn't immediately call the police... this guy should at least be punished for animal cruelty.

I'm sorry, i'm going to have to end this here because it is very upsetting to me... You have my absolute heart felt condolences...

[ike]

This was an extremely heartbreaking story...I am very, very sorry for your loss. As the others have said, I believe your only recourse would be to consult a lawyer as this "friend" refuses to talk to you. You might want to leave them a message to the effect that you're taking this action; you might actually get a response from them.
Whether you get a settlement or not from seeking legal advice, I think what you're looking for right now is closure, finding out what really happened. If there was malice involved, or even neglect, the responsible party definitely needs to be held accountable.
Just a thought - some lawyers specialize in pet or animal welfare cases. You might want to check with your local Humane Society or do a web search.
My heart goes out to you.

[dstirbt]

Wow, thanks everyone for your kind words and heartfelt condolences.
I feel much better now that i know that someone understands how i feel, instead of telling me, "Its just a lizard, it wasnt a dog or anything, youll get over it.." (that makes it worse, because a lizard is so much more helpless and delicate..)

I usually never trust anyone with anything of mine, too many stupid incidents growing up, as gasteriaphile said.

Im going over to his house today, invited or not, to have a sit-down talk with him... if still nothing, a lawyer may be contacted. ill be sure to post if i get anything from this.
I didnt take any pictures, i didnt think of it.

I know i shouldnt blame myself, but i do.. thanks again for your kind words and advice everyone.

[gasteriaphile]

You're welcome. Again I am sorry for you.

As far as a lawyer is concerned, not only do they cost money (too much money in my humble opinion), but really there is nothing here that is litigious. There was no contract or other legal obligation. It was simply something verbally agreed to betw. two "friends". I may be wrong but I doubt it.

I am afraid all you have left is an unwelcome learning experience. Such is life.

I hope that you will try and get over it as soon as you can and maybe start saving towards Water Lizard number 2.

Breck

[beckdg]

they still could tell you if they can help over the phone... or at least what your rights are in your state. verbal agreements are also considered contracts nowadays. animal cruelty is also a crime punishable by law so that could help. i agree your chances are not great but only people in a few fields living close to you could tell you what's possible. maybe the local humane society as they surely deal with cruelty cases or even an animal control officer or another animal shelter could advise.

if your "friend" admits it readily then it's all about possible legal recourse. if not than proving it without a shadow of a doubt will be necessary... that's where it gets tricky. a coincidental confession recording would help your cause but you'd have to be sneaky.

yes lawyers cost too much money and rarely are they useful, but when they are they can be well more than worth their weight in gold. i know from experience!

imho it's worth a call... not a trip until you know for sure they can help.

you'll find it's what we do around here... what others don't. so we understand and you are very welcomed. my heartfelt humble condolences go out to you. good luck.

[froggsong]

most lawyers will do a free consult, where you can learn what your rights are and what courses of action you can persue. you won't have to retain the lawyer, they aren't required in small claims court. verbal agreements are legal and binding in most states, and the fact that he had the animal at his house is evidence that there was some sort of agreement.

try to talk to your friend and see what comes of it. if he admits what happened, see if he is willing to pay you out of court, at least the value of a comparable dragon. if he is, make him sign a contract. if not, take him to court. in either case, after you talk to him, try to get him to email back and forth with you in case you take it to court, since emails will provide concrete evidence to a judge.

because this is an exotic pet and not a cat or dog, it is more likely that the animal will be considered persobal property in court. if someone borrowed, say, your plasma television, and it became broken while in their possession, they are liable, whether THEY broke it or not, to replace the item or reimburse you for the value of the item. if the dragon is considered personal property in your state, the example will apply. even cats and dogs are considered personal property in some states.

it may seem like a hassle, but you deserve some sort of compensation, both for what you've gone through and what you poor dragon went through. he may have been "just a lizard", but he had a life, and he should have been able to live it. not only that, he was also a valuable animal that you have spent alot of time and money on. don't let anyone convince you that you should just get over it because it was "only a lizard".