Community Chat

[Yardlie]

The kids should pay for the vandalism, but not the trip. Also, the kids should be made to do about 200 hours of community service and put on probation. They need a wakeup call at this age.

[RedTop]

I do not think the man should be reimbursed the cost of the trip, but I do think the kids should be charged and held totally responsible for all damages and property loss. Yes, I do believe all who were involved should be identified, and held fully accountable.

[pinkskates4]

On 1/25/2014 terrier3 said:

On 1/25/2014 Jules5280 said:

Isn't this similar to the case of the football player that had a bunch of rich kids break in and party and vandalize his home? I think these "city honors" and "private school" kids should be publicly shamed and they should be responsible to pay for damages, and if they cannot pay, then their parents should pay. I don't think the violated family needs to be compensated for the cost of their trip, that is not a relevant expense, but the damages done to their home in trust of a house sitter should be.

Today's story said that the cat sitter's family is putting the damages through on THEIR homeowners policy. They have also hired a lawyer.

No mention of the kids who did the trashing whatsoever...

Now that is interesting. I was not aware that homeowners insurance covered vandalism your kids inflicted on someone else.

I would even be surprised if they would cover intentional damage inflicted on your own property.

[sidsmom]

In "Moral/Ethic Court" I agree the kids should pay & lessons should be learned. In the court of "Real Life", a defense attorney could bring up several points:

The girl was 17, a minor

Was she bonded or licensed to take care of animals?

Was there a written contract between the homeowner & minor outlining duties to be completed and responsibilities of entering/exiting the home?

Was there 3rd party proving the vomit & urine were from humans & not 7 felines?

Could there be partial damage caused from the animals?

No matter what happens, it's too bad trust & responsibility is not given the respect as it should.

[nun ya]

I think the cat sitter is at fault, she accepted a responsibility and failed.

[Qwackertoo]

I can't imagine walking into my insurance office and telling him . . . I'd like to file a claim for the damages to this home at this address that my out of control kids damaged while having a party while the owners were in Costa Rica. My daughter, Susie-Q was suppose to be house sitting their pets but she bailed and called all her friends who she told to come on over and have a party at this empty house. Please send them a check for the damages. Thanks, your Loyal Customer of however many years.

haha He'd laugh me right out of the office. And probably cancel the rest of my policies for good measure.

edit typo

[Yuban3]

On 1/25/2014 sidsmom said:

In "Moral/Ethic Court" I agree the kids should pay & lessons should be learned. In the court of "Real Life", a defense attorney could bring up several points:

The girl was 17, a minor

Was she bonded or licensed to take care of animals?

Was there a written contract between the homeowner & minor outlining duties to be completed and responsibilities of entering/exiting the home?

Was there 3rd party proving the vomit & urine were from humans & not 7 felines?

Could there be partial damage caused from the animals?

No matter what happens, it's too bad trust & responsibility is not given the respect as it should.

A minor can not make a contract.

[Yuban3]

On 1/25/2014 nunya said:

I think the cat sitter is at fault, she accepted a responsibility and failed.

I say she was partially responsible.

She was responsible for sending out the word that brought everybody over.

But once there, the others were responsible for their own actions.

[sidsmom]

good point. Could the homeowner have the contract signed by the girl & a guardian? Would that be binding in court?

The homeowner has some responsibility with this. If everyone is getting "lawyering" up, these things will come up...could get ugly. Not a good thing, no matter how you look @ it.

[Yuban3]

On 1/25/2014 sidsmom said:

good point. Could the homeowner have the contract signed by the girl & a guardian? Would that be binding in court?

I think the guardian can sign on behalf of the minor, but the minor themselves cannot sign.