A DEVASTATED canine proprietor whose pet was killed after being mown down by a automobile was cruelly informed by the insurance coverage firm that it was THEIR fault.
Sue Kennedy’s world was “shattered” when her beloved Yorkshire terrier Bonnie ran out into the highway exterior her house in Helston, Cornwall, and was fatally hit.
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Whereas wading by the grief of dropping her canine companion, she says their callous insurance coverage firm then blamed her for Bonnie’s demise.
The aptly-named agency Animal Buddies refused to pay out for his or her declare and harshly insinuated Sue had been responsible of an offence underneath the Highway Site visitors Act.
The dog-lover defined she and her husband have cared for numerous pups throughout their 35-year marriage, describing their pets as “the centre of our world.”
She stated: “We now have all the time taken insurance coverage out for them, paid for grooming and saved their inoculations updated and thus far our canines have lived to an excellent age.”
However two weeks in the past, her husband was carrying their youthful pooch, Teddy, to the automobile whereas Bonnie trotted behind them.
Sue defined: “On this horrendous day, a cat walked straight in entrance of them and Bonnie took flight after the cat, straight out of our near the highway that runs by our village.
“My husband referred to as her title however was left to look at helplessly as she was hit by a automobile, which didn’t cease.
“The affect killed her immediately and my husband was left to select up her lifeless physique whereas being comforted by our neighbour.”
Sue rushed again from Devon the place she was visiting her daughter after listening to the tragic information of the demise of her “stunning Bonnie”.
“We’re each damaged by the loss,” she stated.
“I phoned our insurance coverage firm later that day and submitted a declare kind for the £200 we believed we have been entitled to, which might allow us to rearrange for a cremation and scatter her ashes on her favorite stroll.”
However every week after the demise of their darling canine, Sue says she obtained a letter from Animal Buddies “accusing us of committing a legal offence and declining our declare.”
We felt just like the knife by our hearts from dropping Bonnie had been twisted.
Sue Kennedy
The proprietor continued: “We felt just like the knife by our hearts from dropping Bonnie had been twisted.
“I adopted Animal Buddies complaints process hoping to search out that they had some compassion however the determination to refuse fee was upheld.
“I do know there will likely be individuals who say it was our fault, because the insurance coverage firm did, however did we need to be informed in such a chilly and callous method that principally we failed our to make sure the protection of our stunning Bonnie.
“It’s my perception that Animal Buddies simply wanted to discover a motive to not pay out on the coverage.
“Studying the highlighted circumstances, I fail to think about there may be any accident the place they might not discover a motive to say no an accident declare,” Sue fumed.
“We’re two weeks on now and the ache remains to be very a lot there. I can’t get by a day with out breaking down.”
The letter obtained by Sue acknowledged that any one who permits or causes a canine to be on a delegated highway is responsible of an offence underneath the Highway Site visitors Act 1988.
‘READ THE SMALL PRINT’
It additionally warned that canines should not be capable of escape a property and have to be sporting a collar and lead.
Grief-stricken Sue stated: “I would like as many individuals to know that though they might suppose their canine is insured, small print means they most likely aren’t.”
She has since launched a Crowdfunder web page in a bid to provide Bonnie the send-off she deserves.
A spokesperson for Animal Buddies stated: “We’re deeply sorry to listen to concerning the tragic passing of Bonnie and perceive how devastating it’s to lose a pet.
“The declare end result letter despatched to Mrs Kennedy was not of the excessive customary that we sometimes satisfaction ourselves on delivering at Animal Buddies Insurance coverage.
“We did categorical our condolences to Mrs Kennedy in our subsequent communications nonetheless, we perceive how this explicit letter Mrs Kennedy obtained may have been distressing at what’s an already troublesome time.
“An inside evaluate of our buyer communications will likely be carried out to make sure that this doesn’t occur once more and we’ve additionally simply invested in specialist bereavement coaching with the animal charity, Blue Cross, to make sure that we’re offering our clients with the understanding and help they want when experiencing the lack of a pet.”