How did this happen to me?

Yesterday, my guinea pig died. A neighbor, aged 8, was playing with it outside. She was holding it upside down, yelling "Why isn't it doing anything?" The only witness was my younger sister, who couldn't get to the animal in time. She squeezed it so hard that it ruptured its spleen. She put it down, and it began laying on its side. We thought it broke its back. It began having seizures, and it would stop then start up again. This was about 20 minutes, and then it stopped moving. We left for the vet at this time because we had to wait to leave until my father had come to see it. When we got to the vet, within 45 seconds of taking it into the animal hospital, the vet came and said its gone. What steps can I take to get "back at" the family? I am already writing a complaint letter. The vet didn't charge us. What else can I do?
Additional Details
To add, my sister was doing something and she snuck the animal out. She had only had it for a little while, and she had done it that fast. Thanks for all the help. Any more suggestions, please add everyone!

Magenta

I would certainly talk to the parents of this child about what has happened. She is 8 years old, I have an 8 year old niece and there is no way that girl did not know she was squeezing too hard. Oh and you better believe I would be sure to tell the whole neighbourhood about this kid, people should know she hurts animals and can't be trusted. Sorry but I do not believe she is "just a kid" or "didn't know any better" that's just a bunch of crap parents say to make up so their kid looks innocent/stupid instead of like a monster. No 8 year old is that stupid. If it was a 3 year old then fine, but not at age 8. Never let that kid on your property again. People might think I am being harsh but animal abuse is a big deal and I don't want all her neighbourhood pets getting abuse because of this kid.

Oh and I have a question, how did the neighbour girl react when she realized she had hurt the animals? Was she upset or anything? Did she just run off?

Kay

I'm very sorry to hear your guinea pig died.
Talk to your parents and have them ask your neighbor to get you a new guinea pig. They owe you one.
Don't play with your neighbor's 8-year-old kid any more or have him/her touch your stuff living or not living. The kid has issues which only his/her parents can help.

Jeanbug

I'm sorry about you losing your guinea pig, but unfortunately, this is one of "life's little lessons" we all have to learn....and the lesson is that you can not trust anyone outside of your family with your animals, especially 8 year old children.

This winter, an 8 year old neighbor girl squeezed one of my baby chicks to death. I was standing right there when it happened, and it happened so quickly that I couldn't prevent it. It made me absolutely sick, and even at my old age, I was reminded that children who grow up without pets do not understand that animals like guinea pigs, bunnies, and baby chicks are not stuffed animals to be manhandled about and squeezed.

I would write the letter, then tear it up because complaining will do absolutely no good. The fact that the parent of the girl hasn't come over to apologize to you and offer to pay for replacing the animal, tells me that she is a pretty worthless excuse of a human. What may happen instead is the parent of the girl will accuse you for being so irresponsible as to let her daughter handle the pet in the first place, or not keeping a better eye on things.

I'm sorry about this, really I am, but the best approach is to have your parents handle it (if they feel they must) and then not permit the child to ever come near any of your animals again.

rtfm

I'm sorry for your loss, but -- why was this eight-year-old allowed to be playing with the guinea pig outside anyway?

Sometimes sad things happen. You can't waste your time or energy trying to "get back" at life. Just let some time pass, and forget about the impulse for revenge.

Next time, supervise your pets and the neighborhood children a little more carefully!

Don

Oh, you could bring some kind of lawsuit, but it wouldn't be worth it. The kid has no money, and it would cost you a lot to do it. Just write a letter to the parents about what happened and stay away from that kid. Sorry for your lose.

kapn

Appears to be your sister fault..........the critter would not have been hurt if she would have kept her hands of the critter........take it up with her.......

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