It was 85 degrees—hot, but not scorching. But I walked “Tank,” an English Bulldog, for 20 minutes. He started panting heavily, then collapsed. By the time I got him to the shade and poured water on him, he was unresponsive. He died in the car on the way to the vet. The owner is devastated and suing me for the replacement value of the dog ($4,000) plus emotional distress, claiming I should have known Bulldogs can’t handle heat.

Key Takeaways

Breed Knowledge is Professional Duty: As a paid pro, you are expected to know that brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds overheat easily. Ignorance is not a defense.
Negligence: This is a textbook negligence claim. You failed to exercise “reasonable care.”
Bailee Coverage Limit: This pays for the “value” of the deceased dog.
Reputation Management: Insurance pays the money, but it doesn’t fix your 1-star reviews.

The “Why” (The Trap): Wrongful Act

This isn’t an “accident” like a car hitting the dog. This is an error in judgment.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) is the coverage section that matters here.
If you only have General Liability (Slips and Falls), they might argue this was a “Professional Service Error” and deny it if you don’t have the “Professional Liability” endorsement.
Most specific pet sitter policies (PCI, BIC, PSA) bundle GL and PL together. Generic business policies might not.

[IMAGE: Heat index chart showing “Danger Zones” for flat-faced dog breeds]

The Investigation: I Called Them

I asked about “Death due to heat stroke/negligence.”

1. PCI

The Verdict: Covered. This is an accidental injury/death while in your care.
The Limit: They pay up to your Bailee limit (e.g., $5,000) for the dog’s value.

2. Legal Defense

The Verdict: Crucial. If the owner sues for 100,000inemotionaldistress,theinsurancecompanyprovidesthelawyertoarguethatthelawonlyrecognizesthedog′smarketvalue(100,000inemotionaldistress,theinsurancecompanyprovidesthelawyertoarguethatthelawonlyrecognizesthedog′smarketvalue( 4,000).

Comparison Table

Risk	General Liability Only	Pet Sitter Specific Policy
Trip & Fall	Covered	Covered
Heat Stroke (Prof. Error)	Likely Denied	Covered
Legal Defense	Yes	Yes

Step-by-Step Action Plan

Cool the Dog Immediately: Wet towels, AC.
Transport to Vet: Do not wait.
Report the Death: Call the insurance immediately. They need to handle the communication with the owner to prevent you from admitting fault in a way that voids coverage.
Preserve Weather Data: Screenshot the temperature at the time of the walk. If it was only 75 degrees, it helps your defense (it wasn’t “obvious” heat).

FAQ

Will insurance pay for an autopsy (necropsy)?
Sometimes. If the cause of death is disputed (e.g., heart defect vs. heat stroke), the insurance might pay for the necropsy to prove it wasn’t your fault.

Do I have to pay for the cremation?
Usually, the insurance settlement includes these “final expenses” as part of the claim.

Will I go to jail?
Unlikely, unless it was “Cruelty” (intentional). This is a civil matter (money), not criminal.

I Took Dogs to a Dog Park and a Fight Broke Out: Exclusions

I took three dogs to the local off-leash park to let them burn energy. It was chaos. One of my pack got into a brawl with a strange German Shepherd. In the scuffle, my client’s dog got an ear torn off, and I got bitten trying to separate them. Now I find out my policy might have a “Dog Park Exclusion.”

Key Takeaways

The “Off-Leash” Exclusion: Many policies explicitly exclude coverage for incidents occurring in public off-leash dog parks. They view it as a high-risk activity.
Violation of Instructions: Did the owner say “No Dog Parks”? If so, you violated the contract, and insurance might deny the claim based on “Intentional Breach.”
Worker’s Comp: Your injury (the bite) is not covered by your liability insurance. You need independent health or accident insurance.
Bailee Coverage: If the policy allows dog parks, Bailee covers the torn ear.

The “Why” (The Trap): The Park Clause

In 2026, many insurers have tightened rules.
“Public Dog Park Exclusion”: A clause stating that coverage is void if the animal is taken to a public off-leash facility.
Why? Because the variables (strange dogs, disease, fights) are uncontrollable.
However, “Private Fenced Yards” are usually covered.
If you took them to a public park and didn’t read your policy, you are self-insuring that risk.

[IMAGE: Sign at a park entrance “Enter at Your Own Risk” with an insurance warning overlay]

The Investigation: I Called Them

I asked: “Am I covered at the dog park?”

1. Business Insurers of the Carolinas (PSI)

The Answer: They have a specific question about this. You can be covered, but you often have to follow strict ratios (e.g., max 2 dogs per person). If you had 3, you might be out of luck.

2. PCI

The Answer: Generally covers off-leash if in a fenced area, but check the specific endorsement for “Off-Leash Walking.”

3. Rover/Wag

The Answer: They often advise against dog parks. If an incident happens there, they lean heavily on “preventable incident” to deny the Guarantee.

Comparison Table

Carrier	Dog Park Coverage?	Max Dog Limit
PCI	Yes (Conditional)	Usually 2-4 dogs max
BIC	Yes (If followed rules)	Strict Ratios
Generic GL	Often Excluded	N/A

Step-by-Step Action Plan

Check Your Policy NOW: Search for “Park,” “Off-Leash,” or “Public Area.”
Stick to Leash Walks: Unless you are 100% sure, keep them on a leash.
Client Permission: Get it in writing (text/app) that the owner wants them to go to the park. “Please take Fido to the run.” This shifts some assumption of risk to the owner.

FAQ

The other dog started it. Why do I pay?
Because you had “Care, Custody, and Control.” You put the dog in that environment. You are responsible for protecting it.

Does insurance cover the other dog’s injuries?
If your client’s dog hurt the other dog? Yes, that is General Liability (Property Damage to Others).

What if I didn’t know it was a “Dog Park”?
Ignorance of the law (or signage) is no excuse. If it was an off-leash area, the exclusion applies.