Neighbors dogs attacked my dogs - what would you do?

[TwinMominTX]

Ok, this is kind of long and a little bit gory, but I really would appreciate some advice...

I was outside today and heard my dog - Eddie start barking and howling. Eddie doesn't ever bark so I went to investigate and knew something was up. As it turns out, Eddie's front foot somehow became impaled in the fence that separates our property and the neighbors property. It is heavy duty wire horse fencing and a piece of the bottom was stuck complete through the top of his foot. Eddie was acting fairly calm, but I imagine it hurt pretty badly. In order to get him unstuck I knew I either needed to somehow pull the fence straight up or get Eddie to put weight on the foot to take advantage of the give in the ground. Evertime I got close to the fence to help him my neighbors dogs on the other side would attack the fence. Also, everytime I got my dog to stand up to put downward pressure the dogs on the other side would bite him through the 4" holes in the fence. The dogs were awful. So, as I am trying to get Eddie unstuck and not get hurt worse by the dogs on the other side when I realize that my litttle terrier mix Carlos got on the other side of the fence with the neighbors dogs. He was off to the side and yapping away, but never acting aggressive towards the other dogs.

All of a sudden the neighbors dogs (there are three) turned on my little terrier. It was absolutely horrible. They turned absolutely vicious. One dog in particular was attacking him and wouldn't stop - even when the other two did stop and run off. I couldn't get over the fence without hurting the impaled dog worse and my screaming didn't stop the dog from shaking my little dog. I started to run back to my house to get through a different gate to get to Carlos on the other side when Eddie got himself unstuck from the fence. I immediately jumped the fence and had to repeatedly throw rocks at the dog to get him to stop attacking my little dog. I was fairly certain my little dog was dead. I was very surprised he was alive, but he was hurt really really badly.

At no time were the dogs aggressive towards me. I did get bit by someone, but I think it was when the dogs were trying to get at my other dog through the fence. When I finally beaned the meanest dog and got him away from my little terrier he took off and the never came near me. I was running on adreneline, but I never felt personally threatened by the dogs.

This the second time I've seen these dogs do this to another dog. Last time it was the neighbors fourth dog and the same three dogs mauled it to death. It was horrible. My dh and I were talking to the neighbors over the fence when the attack happened and they blamed it on the fourth dog - the one that got mauled - and said she instigated lots of fights and it was just a matter of time before she was beaten up badly by the other dogs.

So, my long winded question is this - would you say something to the neighbors about the dogs attacking my little terrier? Carlos was on their side of the fence and everyone was pretty riled up. However, I have seen these dogs in my pastures on occassion and I shudder to think what might have happened to my 6 year old girls should they have accidentally gotten into the midde of the fights. These people also have a grandaughter that is about 2 years old that visits regularly.

I should add that I live in the country and I am use to animals doing gruesome things to other animals. My dogs (not the ones I have now) killed a cat. One of my geldings beat the crud out of another of our geldings. Something recently ate one of our barn cats and something else recently ate five of our chickens. I am aware of the fact that as much as we'd like to think we domesticate the animals, they are still animals. That being said, I worry a little about the meanest of the dogs and my kids and/or someone elses. I don't really want or expect the neighbors to "do anything" with regards to this situation. So does telling them do anything? I've warned my girls not to ever go over the neighbors fence for any reason, but I wonder if making the leap from them attacking my dog to attacking my kids is paranoid on my part? Also, what in reality are they going to do with the information?

Ok, so Eddie needed 6 stiches to close up the wound in his foot and had several other bite/puncture wounds to his legs (where the dogs attacked him). Carlos was in terrible shape and is in surgery as I type. It is pretty iffy for him and the vet said to be prepared that he might not make it. He has some serious internal injuries, but they felt like theymight be able to save him with surgery. We'll see.

Of course, my dh is on an airplane right now flying from Dubai back to the US. He won't land until tomorrow morning and won't be home until mid-day tomorrow. I truly don't know what he'd say about the situation?

Thanks for any advice.

TK

[Tammy]

Being that you live out in the 'country'....I think people have dogs to help protect their property (we did when we lived in the country)....however nowadays...it seems like such a huge liability to have dogs like that. I bet if their homeowners insurance knew about their dogs....they would drop them!

Who owns the fence?

If I had a good relationship with your neighbors...I would let them know....however....if you own the fence...it was probably your fault for having a 'faulty' fence...that your dog got caught on...KWIM?

I feel bad for your little dog...but again...it was definitely your fault....and he was in THEIR yard....I hope he pulls through the surgery....

Good luck....

Tammy

[TwinMominTX]

The fence was put in by the neighbors before we moved in. I think technically we both own the fence since it resides on the fence easement between properties.

This particular section of the fence (where the dog got impaled) goes across a creek that runs through the back of several area properties. It is really hard to fence across a creek since the dirt gets washed out underneath it. That said there was dirt under the fence section, but soft dirt which is why Eddie was able to get impaled. My guess is that he was running across the creek and slipped and his foot got stuck under the fence. Carlos (who is all of 10 lbs) slipped through a very small opening in the fence not near the creek.

[Danestress]

I'm so so so sorry. I can't imagine how awful to have one dog injured and then to see the other attacked. You must have been absolutely beside yourself. I hope your little guy pulls through and recovers and is not too traumatized. ((((((Twinkick)))))) Why why why do these things happen when our DHs are out of town?????

I don't know what to say about the neighbor. What is your relationship with them like? I would want to know if my dog bit another dog - even if it was in my yard. I would just want to know because I would want to see a pattern if one developed. I would want to look out for whether my dog would attack off my property, whether he was poorly socialized in public places, whether I needed to be careful with dogs and children. I would just want to know. Even if I had no real legal liability because it's my yard - I would just feel like it was useful information about how my dog might respond, and I would talk to his trainer about it and talk about how to work on this.

My dog killed two squirrels last week. He's only seven months. He's a delight with other dogs and with people, but just knowing that tells me to be careful. It makes me worried he might attack a cat, that he's not really in it for the chase but for the KILL. So that changes how I treat him. I was going to have friends keep him while we are out of town next week, but now I am going to kennel him with his trainer because the friends have cats, and I am afraid he might kill one. See? I just think the more you know about your dog, the better decisions you make.

But of course the more you know about your neighbor, the better you can guess whether they will respond nicely to the information or be hostile.

Did you ask your vet what to do?

[Tammy]

If your dog was hurt by THEIR fence.....then they are really liable...for your dog's foot problem.

Someone has to own the fence...I don't believe it is a 'joint' thing....whoever put up the fence....owns it, LOL!

So....how well do you get along with them? People have a really hard time believing their own dogs are 'aggressive'...and you will never convince them of that, LOL.

I would probably have a better fence put up....

Let us know how your other dogs is doing....poor fella.

Tammy

[GothicGyrl]

This is going to sound like I'm yelling at you but...

YOU GOT BIT!!!!! I DO NOT CARE WHERE YOUR DOG WAS, YOU GOT BIT..

that right there, warrants a call to the police and animal control, period. Country or not. Those dogs do not deserve life if they bite a person. I would be calling the police and filing a report. Your dog dies, they will be held liable for the damages.

Ask me how I know (it's how my pup ended up losing his ear).

[Jenstet]

We had a neighbor/fence issue. The fence was blown down and it needed replacing. We went half on the fence. I think a fence can be owned by two people if it is on the property line. You wouldn't put up two fences right next to each other. Regardless, if your dog was on their property and was attacked I don't think it is their "fault". That being said I would let the neighbors know what happened and see how they handle it. Let them know this is a problem that needs to have a solution because like you said if a child walked into their yard who knows what would happen. In some places if a dog or owner has many complaints against it for being aggressive the town will take action but you would have to weigh making a formal complaint against relations with your neighbor.
I guess it really does depend on the relationship you have with your neighbor.
Do you know who bit you? Was it your dog or theirs? Did you have to go to the doctors? If you were bit you should really have it documented and checked out. Especially to see if the dogs are up to date on their shots.

I hope your little guy pulls through.

[Sue G in PA]

and he was on YOUR side of the fence? Didn't you say the dogs were biting him THROUGH the fence? Sounds to me like irresponsible dog owners and nasty dogs. AND, you got bit, too! Plus, if these dogs attack a little dog who happens onto their property...what about a little child who "happens" onto their property? I'd be scared they might attack a child next! Call animal control or the police or whatever/whoever would be in charge of a situation like this. We have MANY irresponsible dog owners around us. The dogs get off the chain, run into our yard, jump on my kids (they are friendly, but BIG). Some of my kids are scared of dogs (don't know why) and last spring/summer, one of my dc wouldn't step foot outside for a week for fear of one of those dogs jumping on him again.

I'm so sorry, btw, that your dogs got hurt. I hope they both fully recover.

[Cherrie]

What if a child accidently got into their yard .I would hate to think what could happen. Even if the dogs are for protection it isn't a licence to mane or kill an animal or human. I agree talk to your neighbours and inform them that you will be reporting it to animal control. If your pet dies I would even report it to the police you may need that report to claim damages against their inssurance. Plus I would think they would be responsible for all the medical costs for every bit including yours. I hope your little dog makes a speedy recovery.

[Remudamom]

You don't live far enough out in the country or you would know the answer.

IF the dogs ever get on your property it's the three Ss- shoot, shovel and shut up. Whether they are after your dog, your chickens or your children.

[Karen sn]

ITA!!!!! And I would NEVER own a nasty dog. I am amazed at all the idiot people who own nasty dogs that bite kids, other dogs, maul cats, etc.....
Seriously - if they want to own nasty dogs they should be INSIDE where they can't attack your dog through the fence. Yes I get that the poor abused dogs in this world need love too...but then the owners better respect all of us innocent people and OUR sweet dogs who would never hurt anyone.

Fortunately - the last nasty dog who thought he could mess with my dog found out that even though Zeus is sweet and loves everyone - he doesn't take any crap! And the owner of the nasty dog was mad at me!!!!! (He had no problem though with his dog bullying all the other dogs at the beach.....only when my Alaskan Malamute pinned his pit bull on the ground did he care). All the other dog owners came up to me later and thanked my dog!!!!

I hope your dog is ok. He is going to be so traumatized. I would have gone in the house - got my boyfriend's gun - and shot those nasty dogs dead. I'm mean like that. And at 35 I am no longer apologizing for it!

You need to stand up for your dogs - the other dead dog - and all future dogs that could be hurt. Dogs fight - I get that. But there is a difference between establishing who is the big dawg and murder. Especially when your dog is so little - and the other dog was stuck.

[Soph the vet]

You need to report the incident especially given that you were bit! The neighbors need to provide proof of current rabies vax on their dogs. If they are not current you can demand they be euthanized and tested because there was a human victim.
They may also be liable for some of your vet cost for both dogs. I hope your terrier pulls through. Big dog, little dog cases are not usually fun.
Soph

[Antonia]

[QUOTE=Cherrie;108843][FONT=Georgia]What if a child accidently got into their yard .I would hate to think what could happen. /QUOTE]

This was my first terrifying thought. I would report these vicious dogs to the authorities, AND make sure every inch of that fence was secure.

[Peek a Boo]

Even if the dogs are for protection it isn't a licence to mane or kill an animal or human. I agree talk to your neighbours and inform them that you will be reporting it to animal control.


Dogs viciously attacking anything that walks onto the property is NOT how a normal dog works. Your neighbors have dogs that are vicious. They need to keep them penned up or put down.

I would call the police NOW. they need to know the concern and the history. Even if no action is taken, there needs to be a a paper trail: once they've been "officially warned" that their dogs are vicious they can be held criminally negligent if it ever happens again.

In the meantime, I would suggest keeping your own dogs safe --get a pen, extra fence somewhere near the house, or radio fence. We have an acre and a half and got a radio/wireless fence. we actually got the cheaper portable one that sends out a 90' signal --that's 180' diameter and is planty of room for our black lab mix to run around the house but keep her outta the street or neighbor's yards.

You already know that the fence simply can't EVER be secure for your little dogs. We back up to a creek --i know what you mean about a fence needing to be constantly maintained. You need to find an option that will protect your dogs cuz that fence WON't. You know that [esp now] so you need to act.

I'm not one who thinks a dog deserves to die just because they bite a person once. But the viciousness and history absolutely bothers me. Since you know the nature of the neighbor dogs, I'm not sure I would hold a bite against them, but Toni's write-- you now have Serious Legal Leverage. You need to use it.

Act to inform, and act to protect. And do it today while everything is still fresh in your mind.