By Nigel Maxwell

P.A. area veteran involved in insurance battle, after nearly losing service dog

Apr 24, 2018 | 5:00 PM

A Prince Albert veteran has been told he must pay for the damages to a woman’s car, after his service dog was struck and nearly killed near his home two weeks ago.

Matt Hrycuik, 32, received a letter from Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), informing him the damages to the woman’s vehicle cost about $1,400. Hrycuik lives on an acreage at the North end of Paddockwood. The week before last, he and his dog Gunner were playing out in the yard when Gunner got too close to the road. Hrycuik’s neighbour came and told him she thought she killed the dog.

“I jumped in the van and ripped down the street and there he was running down the road on three legs, covered in blood, face split open,” Hrycuik said.

Moments later Hrycuik tossed the dog into his van and rushed to the nearest veterinary clinic. Gunner lived through the ordeal, but lost full mobility in one leg. Hrycuik, who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder after serving in Afghanistan in 2008, said he is thankful his companion is still alive.

“Obviously I have my wife and my family but you know he’s the one that got me into the public eye again and got me into a regular job again and me able to operate at a normal level,” he said.

SIGA

SIGA and Northern Lights Casino main sponsors of the 31st PAGC Fine Arts Festival

5h ago

Workplace incident

City of Prince Albert pleads guilty to workplace safety violation, handed fines

7h ago

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

Apr 24, 2024

Hrycuik received the letter from SGI after paying the vet bills to save his dog. According to the letter, he has 10 days to pay the bill or it will be turned over to collections.

“With no fault insurance you’d figure it would be $700 deductible, instead it’s full auto body shop for the bumper,” he said. “I get it he’s my property but if it was me on the road, my kid on the road, if it was a wild animal on the road, a thousand other things, it would have been no fault insurance.”

Hrycuik said he planned to contact SGI and discuss payment options. 

paNOW reached out to SGI for comment. They issued a statement which indicated the government Crown would attempt to contact Hrycuik to discuss options. 

“Our first priority is coming to a conclusion that is reasonable and fair to all involved,” the statement said.

The SGI statement also indicated no fault insurance did not apply in this situation and there would be no immediate attempt to involve collections.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell