FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Incident on November 3rd
The plaintiff sued Mr. Pfeiffer for veterinary bills.
The dispute arose from an incident on November 3rd.
Mr. Pfeiffer's 80-pound pit bull attacked one of the plaintiff's two 4-pound dogs.
The plaintiff stated she has two small dogs.
Mr. Pfeiffer confirmed he owns one 80-pound dog.
Barbecuing Downstairs
Mr. Pfeiffer explained he was barbecuing dinner downstairs that evening.
He stated they do not have a barbecue area upstairs.
He was barbecuing by the garage.
He had been downstairs for some time.
Living Arrangements Questioned
Judge Judy questioned Mr. Pfeiffer about his living situation.
Mr. Pfeiffer initially said, "we don't have a barbecue area up."
This implied he lived with his girlfriend.
He then clarified he was "visiting" his girlfriend.
Judge Judy pointed out that "we don't have an area upstairs" sounded like more than just a visit.
Mr. Pfeiffer confirmed they are boyfriend and girlfriend.
He agreed his dog is regularly at the residence.
Judge Judy warned him not to "play with me."
Mr. Pfeiffer apologized.
He confirmed he lives with his girlfriend and his pit bull.
The Dog's Escape
After barbecuing, Mr. Pfeiffer went upstairs.
He intended to get a plate to bring dinner back up.
He stated he must not have closed the door properly.
His dog then escaped.
The Attack Described
Mr. Pfeiffer's dog ran out.
He saw his dog go over to the plaintiff's two dogs.
He described diving to the ground to try and control his dog.
However, his efforts were not quick enough.
His dog picked up one of the plaintiff's dogs in its mouth.
The pit bull ripped the small dog's skin off.
Mr. Pfeiffer confirmed this detail.
Judge Judy's Emphasis on Responsibility
Judge Judy asked Mr. Pfeiffer why they were in court.
She explained that dog owners have a responsibility.
This responsibility is to keep their dog under control at all times.
She acknowledged Mr. Pfeiffer's story about the dog getting out.
The plaintiff's complaint, however, suggested otherwise.
Judge Judy stated that even if his story was true, he lost control.
Mr. Pfeiffer agreed it was his responsibility to keep his dog under control.
The "Accident" Defense
Judge Judy presented a hypothetical scenario.
She asked if he would be responsible if his dog attacked while off-leash.
Mr. Pfeiffer agreed he would be responsible in that case.
She then addressed his "accident" defense.
Mr. Pfeiffer believed he was not responsible because he accidentally left the door open.
He thought the incident was an accident.
He stated he only saw one dog on a leash.
His own dog was downstairs without a leash.
He admitted he lost control of his dog.
Judge Judy pointed out the size difference between the dogs.
She emphasized that a 4-pound dog would not rip a car apart.
She stated that she has been on the bench for 20 years.
Mr. Pfeiffer agreed with her assessment.
Initial Communication After the Attack
The plaintiff's boyfriend, Michael, spoke with Mr. Pfeiffer.
Mr. Pfeiffer told Michael he would "make good" on the situation.
He said he would try to help.
He stated he was waiting for information on the cost.
Severe Injuries to the Small Dog
The plaintiff described the injuries to her dog.
The dog had to undergo surgery.
It required a skin graft.
The dog received over a hundred stitches.
It was a 4-pound dog.
The plaintiff confirmed she still has the dog.
The Unpaid Bills
The plaintiff stated that the initial bill was $1,900.
She said the total veterinary bills amounted to $3,969.
She sued Mr. Pfeiffer because she did not receive payment.
Mr. Pfeiffer's Claim About the Bills
Mr. Pfeiffer claimed he was not presented with the bills.
He stated he did not know the total cost.
He said he had a conversation with Michael.
He told Michael he would communicate with him.
He would let Michael know what was going on.
Mr. Pfeiffer claimed they never let him know the full amount of the bills.
He said they just sued him.
The Last Conversation
Mr. Pfeiffer recalled his last conversation with Michael.
At that point, the bill was up to $1,900.
The dog was still under the care of another vet in a different area.
He admitted telling Michael it was his responsibility.
He also said he would try and help the best he could.
Judge Judy's Rebuttal
Judge Judy clarified that "trying to help the best you could" is not paying the vet bills.
She stated that Mr. Pfeiffer owned the vet bills.
The amount was $3,965.
Final Warning from Judge Judy
Judge Judy addressed Mr. Pfeiffer directly.
She told him he was "on notice."
She described his "playful puppy" as having almost killed another dog.
She called the incident tragic.
She warned him that next time it could be somebody's child.
She advised him not to have any more "accidents."
She then instructed everyone to step out.