Unleashed dog damaged property. My recourse?

[Peeved]

The other day, a dog damaged my property. I was there (at an outdoor sports club of which I'm a member) when it happened, as were some friends, who witnessed it.

After shaking his head in dismay at watching his dog cause the damage, the dog owner quickly regrouped, called the dog over (it wasn't on a leash) and walked away.

When I checked the damage, I noticed several paw/nail indentations in my gear's material, as well as a tear and a hole where the dog's nail had punched through.

I ran over to the owner and informed him I saw what had just happened.

I then showed the owner the damage. But even though he admitted that he'd seen the dog have a go at my gear, and acknowledged the paw and nail indentations, he maintained that the tear and hole weren't caused by his dog. And then he walked off.

I have the owner's name, but I'm wondering what recourse I have. Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks.

[For Starters]

Do you have any witnesses who are prepared to give statements, etc? Also, how much would it cost to replace your gear? Would it be cheaper than a traipse through the courts? The owner has behaved in a manner that clearly indicates the level of noncooperation you can expect from him. Creepy and uncivil, but not unusual, behaviour.

[peeved]

Do you have any witnesses who are prepared to give statements, etc? Also, how much would it cost to replace your gear? Would it be cheaper than a traipse through the courts? The owner has behaved in a manner that clearly indicates the level of noncooperation you can expect from him. Creepy and uncivil, but not unusual, behaviour.

Yes, there were quite a few people there at the time who saw what happened. I asked two if they were willing to be witness and both agreed.

Repairing the damage will lower the gear's use, because replacing the torn part undermines its effectiveness. The repair job cost won't exceed S$100, but, again, I lose out because of the gear's loss of effectiveness.

Still, even this is moot, because the dog owner didn't even agree to repairing to damage, much less replacing the sail.

Still thinking about taking him to task.

[marriedguy]

paw/nail indentations in a sail?