My cat was attacked by a neighbor's dog...

[TorchTheWitch]

40. since the vet has to report, the legal issues are out of your hands

Your landlord is likely also going to be held responsible for the unsecured door that the dog was able to get through in order to get in the house. Were it not for that unsecured door, this never would have happened.

Incidentally, I realize that your financial situation is lousy, but for heaven's sake why are you renting a room from someone who's house is unsecured??? Both your landlord and the dog owner are responsible for what happened to your cat and both should be footing the vet bills and making some other kind of restitution.

Also, it may not be legal for him to rent rooms in his home. It isn't where I live as it makes them a de-facto boarding house establishment without the proper zoning, health and fire safety code checks, insurance, etc. It is entirely different then having a roommate because as you have unfortunately discovered, you are not on an equal footing with the person you both live with and pay to live there. Personally, I would withhold any rent from the landlord with whom you live until they pay the vet bills and secure the door.

I'd be really interested to know what the landlord has said to you about this incident.