Dog drama/opinions wanted

[sunspotbaby]

Possible Considerations:
1) If you feel, deep down, that the right thing is to contribute some portion to a vet bill... then do so. Write a check for whatever amount feels appropriate to you & memo'd "contribution in full" (don't bother asking or negotiating amts. or actions). If it gets cashed... case closed.
2) Is it possible to block big dog's sight line on that side of the fence? out of sight / out of mind?
3) Has there been ANY change in the small dogs activities since said skirmish?
4) Are the small dogs likely litigious?

That's a good idea about the bill. Thanks.
Our fence fronts the road so, no can't block the sight line... at least not until the satan vine takes it over.
Haven't seen or heard the small dogs since the incident, which tells me they CAN keep them under control. They do have a fenced back yard.:roll: but they've said the dogs won't 'go' in the back yard. They don't have a problem 'going' in front of my mailbox or by my trash can though.
I don't believe they are litigious, they struggle just like the rest of us.

 

[Douglas the Intrepid]

If they gave you a written request to get rid of your dog, it sounds like they might be trying to document the situation for possible litigation. If your neighbors are not your friends, I recommend just calling animal control whenever they let their dogs run loose to torment yours....

 

[John R]

You all live there, so this really needs to be settled. If your guy got loose and was just walking around, the threat of four dogs charging him would have put ANY dog on the defensive. And, their antagonizing your dog is historic behavior. Possibly, as stated above, offer them an amount and call it good. With the transfer of funds indicate that you would appreciate them observing your town's leash law. Mistakes like your dog getting out will happen. Them letting their dogs run free is not a mistake, just laziness.

It would behoove your family to go to training classes this spring.

 

[sunspotbaby]

You all are a tremendous help. I can't grasp the concept of people that can't 'see' the error of their ways, but can quickly condemn others for their mistakes. You are correct John R, it was a mistake. He was not just turned out. It is the fault of us all. Them for not disciplining their dogs and not teaching them to be respectful of other dogs. Mine for not insisting on it in the beginning, and not doing enough to discourage my dog's reaction to them. We know we are partly responsible, but i'm afraid they feel like we are entirely responsible for the whole incident. I also feel confident that if my dog was on the offensive, the little dog wouldn't be home on the couch right now eating bon bons.

 

[DuneAHH]

They do have a fenced back yard.:roll: but they've said the dogs won't 'go' in the back yard.

That would certainly be in keeping with the old saying (applicable in many scenarios): "don't $hat where ya eat" . Pigs on the farm chose 1 corner of their pen to do their bidness.
Of course if there's 1 piglet for each corner of the pen, corner-competition amongst the 'litter' may ensue if you're not a vigilant sow.:roll:

S'thing to try around 'prime marking spots' like the mailbox: mix up a tea of water and cayenne pepper (or anything non-harmful yet odiferous & unappealing) and spritz it all around. This worked for me to deter squirrels from stripping the bark off one of my tree trunks. Didn't hurt the tree and those cheeky squirrels have steered clear of that sexy tree trunk for all the years since my spray bottle went militant!!

 

[Minnie]

Their dogs won't go in their own back yard is crap, literally. The owner's simply do not want to clean up after them in their yard, better it be someone else's mess to deal with.

They will crap in their own yard or explode, either way the neigbhors have to deal with it.

Next time little dogs come to visit, seems like a good time to water the satan vine.

 

[scooterbug44]

From previous posts, I know these rat dogs have been an ongoing problem ............. and that their owner is an arse.

So while I applaud that the little yippers finally got their due, I worry that the owner is a litigious/vengeful sort.

If your dog went on their property and bit their dogs, my guess is that legally you are the one in the wrong - even though IMO you are "justice wise" in the right.

 

[shellak]

That's a good idea about the bill. Thanks.
Our fence fronts the road so, no can't block the sight line... at least not until the satan vine takes it over.
Haven't seen or heard the small dogs since the incident, which tells me they CAN keep them under control. They do have a fenced back yard.:roll: but they've said the dogs won't 'go' in the back yard. They don't have a problem 'going' in front of my mailbox or by my trash can though.
I don't believe they are litigious, they struggle just like the rest of us.

if you mean they struggle financially, i'm not sure why they own 4 dogs. clearly, they are not responsible owners and do not care whether their dogs are hit by a car, attacked by other animals or that they attack other animals and someday, maybe a human. i do understand a dog could accidentally get out (although i've had 2 dogs, the first for 14 1/2 years, the second i still have going on 6 years and neither has gotten out). with both your dogs being loose when the attack happened, you both share responsibility. there is no exception to the leash law regarding accidentally getting out. i appreciate the fact that you care as much as you do. i've seen too many lazy dog owners who just open their door and let their dog(s) out without a care. my dog was bitten by 2 jack russells who got out. i made sure the owner paid the vet bills.i was walking my dog on a leash at the time. loose dogs and irresponsible dog owners are a huge problem in our area. make sure you report your neighbors dogs being loose to the walton county dog warden next time. also, you should report any bites your dog may endure (hopefully not). a record of what these dogs do is extremely important in the event the dogs need to be removed from the home. good luck!!

 

[DuneAHH]

From previous posts, I know these rat dogs have been an ongoing problem ............. and that their owner is an arse.

So while I applaud that the little yippers finally got their due, I worry that the owner is a litigious/vengeful sort.

If your dog went on their property and bit their dogs, my guess is that legally you are the one in the wrong - even though IMO you are "justice wise" in the right.

All good points. I would agree that the 'remove letter' is a sign of potential intent towards trouble; and as such (so far) the only thing of record that goes beyond a he-bark/she-bark situation (and for all that a 'yip-dog-style' offensive).

As previously suggested a call to the control dept. would be good to have on file. Time/dated videos of yipper activities might be a good thing to have on hand, in case the situation has long-striding-legs (but even that is not irrefutable evidence given today's technologies).

But largely my foregoing conversation is doubtless the sad result of hard-times angst paranoia... the major worth being to teach us about a return to direct, respectful neighborliness. In the end, one party ALWAYS has to take the high road first (while still CYA).

Take 'em a 6pack, a check in the amt you feel is appropriate, and (because times still are what times are!) tape your verbal agreement to "be good neighbors... humans & creeters alike".

Good Luck