My dog was attacked-question????

[weeluvdisney]

Our dog was attacked by a neighbors dog that has shown aggression in the past. Our neighbor is being very good about it in my opinion. Should they pay the vet bill??? I feel bad even though I shouldnt. I dont know them real well but they seem to be a young hard working couple. My husband was nice about it with them but wants them to pay the vet bill and they say they will. Would you expectyour neighbor to pay the bill??

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

Did this happen in your yard, or at a park? Were the dogs leashed?
I guess if the other people have stated they would pay, then I would take them up on it. If they change their minds after a large vet bill arrives at their door, then the answers to the above questions will matter.

 

[weeluvdisney]

Our dog was in our yard, my son had just let our 3 dogs out to go to the bathroom. They have an electric fence but one of their Great Danes will leave the yard anyways. He came in our yard and for no reason attacked our dog. He has 7 lacerations, 4 puncture wounds, and a HUGE wound that he needed alot of stitches and a drain and a night at the vets. Vet said bill will be between 700 and 1000.

 

[SarahKate]

The owners of the attacking dog are absolutely liable for this and you should not feel guilty for expecting them to pay. It would have been a totally different situation if your dog entered the attacking dog's yard. But your dog was in YOUR yard and it's the owner's responsibility to ensure that the dog stays in its own yard. And it sounds to me that they knew the dog would go outside the electric fence, which is even more "fuel". They should have been taking measures, like having the fence checked, tying the dog up, keeping it in the house, etc. It could have been prevented, and I'm sorry that your family & dog have to go through that!

If they have offered to pay it, definitely take them up on it. Don't wait too long, in the event that they change their minds and then you have to fight them for the $.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I've had dogs for 20+ years - all sorts, all sizes and I love them dearly.

With that said, I think the bigger issue than the vet bill is whether or not you're going to file a police report. It may not be the popular thing to do but considering you've said the dog has shown aggression in the past and now he's actually hurt another dog, there's no reason to believe it won't happen again, possibly with worse consequences.

What if your son had tried to intervene? Would the other dog have been so intent on hurting your dog that he may have hurt your son in the process? My guess is the Dane has a strong prey drive (is your dog small?) and being able to see your dog is likely to provoke another attack in the future.

Have the neighbors pay the vet bill and then strongly suggest they put up a fence. You can tell them you won't file a police report if they agree to put up a fence.

Hope your dog heals up soon and isn't too traumatized by the event.

 

[NotUrsula]

This happened to my cat 20 years ago; the dogs in question were 2 boxers that had escaped their fenced yard and gotten into mine. The cat had a VERY serious belly wound where the dogs had torn her open.

I sent the bill to the owner of the dogs, and the vet informed me that they had contributed; I seem to remember that they sent him $60 -- the bill was around $300. I was a very poor grad student at the time and that was a big chunk of change for me, but not enough to make it worthwhile to sue. The dog owners were a couple in their 60's; they were probably not in a much better position to pay than I was, so it just wasn't worth it to me to make a big stink about it.

Actually, another neighbor made a bigger stink about it than I did. The person who came pounding on the door to tell me about the attack was my young next-door neighbor; she was about 7 years old, and she witnessed the entire thing. It horrified her and she was scared to death of the dogs. Her parents were livid about the dogs getting out without supervision.

 

[weeluvdisney]

You think he could have held his own more but he is 6 yrs old the great dane is younger and WAY bigger.
I don't want to upset anyone on here, of course this wasn't our decision but they said they have been trying to find a home for the dog with no luck so they are making another decision. I am a dog lover (never was till this stray boxer who is wonderful came into my life) so this is all very upsetting not to mention we are leaving for Disney in 9 days and will be gone when he needs his stitches out. This is not what any of us needed right now. Thank you for the well wishes. The vet said after some healing he will be fine. She said the one wound was bad and pretty traumatic. I get to pick him up in 30 minutes. I never ever thought I would love a dog this much.

 

[mnasmom3]

absolutely they should pay the bill.

 

[El&Asmom]

Our dog is a boxer. You think he could have held his own more but he is 6 yrs old the great dane is younger and WAY bigger.
I don't want to upset anyone on here, of course this wasn't our decision but they said they have been trying to find a home for the dog with no luck so they are making another decision. I am a dog lover (never was till this stray boxer who is wonderful came into my life) so this is all very upsetting not to mention we are leaving for Disney in 9 days and will be gone when he needs his stitches out. This is not what any of us needed right now. Thank you for the well wishes. The vet said after some healing he will be fine. She said the one wound was bad and pretty traumatic. I get to pick him up in 30 minutes. I never ever thought I would love a dog this much.

Sorry, after my pm I actually went through and read all of the posts. I agree that the bigger issue is what would have happened if a child or another person got in this dogs way. If it is a Great Dane, they could try to contact a Great Dane rescue organization rather than making a decision to euthanize if that is what they choose. They may have someone there that can foster him until a suitable home is found. If not, the most important issue is the safety of the people and other dogs that are in the neighborhood.
Good luck to your dog. I'm sure he'll make a full recovery.

 

[weeluvdisney]

To El&Asmom
Thank you for the pm info.
The bill was $608. Not thousands but not pocket change either.
I feel bad for the decision they made (if they stick with it) but I would no longer feel comfortable outside in my own yard. Last summer the dog chased my 13 year old on his bike and was biting at his ankle, since that day my son won't ride his bike. Also, last summer the great dane owner (before the incident with my son) had come over asking if he could pay one of our kids to feed his 3 great danes while he went out of town. Well I knew that my kids were intimidated because they are so big so I offered for my husband or I to do it. So, my husband went over to his house right then with him to meet the dogs and he was going to show him where the food was and all that.......well, with the dog owner right there, my husband put out his hand and said Hi to the dog, calling him by his name and the dog lunged at my husband, my husband put his hand out to try to lessen what he knew was coming, long story short we didnt feed the dogs for them my husband came home right away and pulled down his pants to show me and there was the biggest (bowling ball size) darkest bruise I've ever seen on anyone. That dog has major issues and I have much compassion for what the owners are going thru. They have a 2 year old little girl. I'd be afraid if I was them.

 

[RyJMom]

I can't believe these people have not gotten rid of this dog before now. Just the incidents of it chasing your son and hurting your husband should have told them what they have. Who knows what has happened with other neighbors. To keep a dog like this around their own 2 yr old is really scary. I'm really glad your child was not injured when that dog went after your dog. I hope your dog gets well soon.

 

[surfergirl602]

how tramatic for everyone involved. I hope that your doggy will be okay! In all honesty, yes - they should absolutely pay the bill, and you should file a police report. It's always safe that way, just in case something happens later one. What is, heaven forbid, the dog goes after one of you and does some serious damage? What if he goes after your dog again? You need proof that this has happened before.

 

[Frankiesmom]

Thank God you're dog is ok! I would have them put in a fence or call the police- you're kids shouldn't be terrorized by this dog. I can't even imagine having a dog like that around a small child What are they thinking? We had to give away our beloved chow 7 years ago when our DS was born- she became agressive towards him while he was in his bouncer seat; I was very sad- but I would never have forgiven myself if my dog hurt my child.

 

[tlh0726]

This incident needs to be reported immediately to the proper authorities so that it is documented. The next victim may not be so lucky.
You or your family should not feel threatened while on your own property.
If these people what this type of animal then they need to take the steps to ensure the safety of others.

 

[garrman]

This is almost like a deja vu. My parents dog was attacked in their yard while going to washroom by the neighbor's dog. My parents dog had lacerations, punctures, had to have drainage and spent a night at the vet. He now has a fear of large dogs (who could blame him). The outcome is that the neighbor paid the vet bills.

If you look on the flip side, your neighbor probably feels extremely bad about the incident as well and allowing them to pay the vet bills may offer them some closure of the issue.

garrman

 

[nessz79]

Our dog was in our yard, my son had just let our 3 dogs out to go to the bathroom. They have an electric fence but one of their Great Danes will leave the yard anyways. He came in our yard and for no reason attacked our dog. He has 7 lacerations, 4 puncture wounds, and a HUGE wound that he needed alot of stitches and a drain and a night at the vets. Vet said bill will be between 700 and 1000.

They should definitely pay the bill, or at least the majority. Definitely look for long-term solutions, also. That Great Dane needs more than an electric fence...he's probably too big for it to work effectively.

 

[nessz79]

This incident needs to be reported immediately to the proper authorities so that it is documented. The next victim may not be so lucky.
You or your family should not feel threatened while on your own property.
If these people what this type of animal then they need to take the steps to ensure the safety of others.

After reading the entire, thread, I agree. 3 Great Danes and a 2 year old is scary enough, but they are also aggressive? I think that's terribly irresponsible of them and that something needs to be reported. If you're afraid of them "knowing" it's you, can you have someone else call for you?

 

[tlh0726]

How's your dog?
Have the neighbors reinbursed you for the vet?

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I have to ask because only an electric fence was mentioned, do neither of you have fenced in yards at all? This could have been prevented completely had all dogs involved been properly fenced in not only for their own safety, but for the safety of others as well.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Our mini daschund was attacked by the neighbors german shephard just last week. My dd5 took the dog out to pee on a leash in our front yard. When the german shephard came running across the street, dd dropped the leash and ran in the house. Luckily, he only had two puncture wounds - it could have been much worse. The exam, xrays, antibiotics, etc. came to $368. My dh asked the neighbors for half of it and they wrote a check. I thought they should have to pay all of it because nothing was wrong with my dog until their dog attacked. My dh said he want to keep a good relationship with the neighbors. I have not seen their dog since. My dd cried herself to sleep that night while the dog was at the animal hospital because she thought it was her fault the dog got bit because she left him outside by himself. I told her that that was the smartest thing she could have done and the vet agreed.