Ask for vet bill to be paid or leave it alone?

[hbliam]

My neighbors Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) is always loose.  There are four other JRT's in the neighborhood and mine (Lucy) and his (Jackie) play with the other dogs no problem, they are just not good together.

I have taken his dog home (so it wouldn't get hit by a car) at least a dozen times. I have been bit by his dog trying to break up our dogs fighting. They have fought at least ten times in the past five years. They have never fought in his yard, his dog is never in his yard. His dog has come onto my property and into my garage and started fighting my dog. Once my wife was walking Lucy and Jackie attacked them about ten houses from our home. My wife got tangled in them and fell down and a neighbor had to come out to separate the dogs and help my wife. I always let the owner know about each fight and I usually text him when I put his dog away. He always apologizes and I leave it at that because I have to live two doors down.

Saturday, while I was at work and my wife was out of town, I hired a neighbor (19 year old boy) to walk Lucy and of course Jackie attacked her again. Freaked out the kid and left two puncture marks on her neck. I let them go thinking they would heal. One did, the other is infected and after a visit to the vet, is going to need a drain installed in the morning.

So do I ask the guy to pay the $150 vet bill? I normally wouldn't think twice but I think he's not doing that great financially.

[Ddan]

Buy him a dog chain, show him the bill, and tell him you're at the end of your patience and generosity

[redxblack]

That's a tough call. If you think he's on hard times and you feel sympathetic still, let him know that his dog being at large will be costing you $150 and pay him forward a break. I'd think he'd be liable for the bill since his dog was loose and yours was on a leash.

[Stella]

Oh but you're a patient man!

They're responsible for their actions as well as their dog's.  It's time they take responsibility -
financial mess or not.  

They could be in a bigger heap of a mess with anyone else with less patience / more significant injuries.  
They're lucky!

Good luck with this one!

[fastwin]

I'm a dog person. I'd give him the bill. You've put up with enough. He may be a nice guy/neighbor but they are a shitty dog owner. If he doesn't pay the bill then tell him the next time his dog causes problems you'll call animal control and have the critter taken away. You've put up with enough of his and his dog's BS. Doesn't your city have a leash law? By the way, my best friend has a Jack Russell. Great dog and smart as hell!

[hbliam]

Buy him a dog chain, show him the bill, and tell him you're at the end of your patience and generosity

He has a chain, a fence, a backyard, etc. The dog is a Houdini. After one incident he said, "We all can't be as good as you about keeping your dog in it's yard."  

I've been patient because I know how it is to live with a bad neighbor so close. And did I mention he's a bit crazy? He has killed at least one possum with his crossbow, shot an arrow through another neighbors side gate (with kids in the backyard), and had to go to court after he tackled a 12 year old that flipped him off?

[Ddan]

He has a chain, a fence, a backyard, etc. The dog is a Houdini. After one incident he said, "We all can't be as good as you about keeping your dog in it's yard."  

I've been patient because I know how it is to live with a bad neighbor so close. And did I mention he's a bit crazy? He has killed at least one possum with his crossbow, shot an arrow through another neighbors side gate (with kids in the backyard), and had to go to court after he tackled a 12 year old that flipped him off?

Get a bigger dog   

[hbliam]

Doesn't your city have a leash law?

Yes.

I have considered taking the dog to the pound when it's loose just to cost him the fee. But then I pick her up and can't get myself to subject her to that because of him. It's not her fault.

[hbliam]

Get a bigger dog   

LOL

Oh mine can scrap. She just got the short end this time around.

[hbliam]

Playing it up for sympathy.

[Drjones]

Show him the bill and the dog's wounds then tell him the next time his dog is out such that you have to deal with it it is going to the pound as a stray to be euthanized.

[redxblack]

but be sure he doesn't have a bolt in the crossbow when you tell him?

[pitbull]

I'm a dog person. I'd give him the bill. You've put up with enough. He may be a nice guy/neighbor but they are a shitty dog owner. If he doesn't pay the bill then tell him the next time his dog causes problems you'll call animal control and have the critter taken away. You've put up with enough of his and his dog's BS. Doesn't your city have a leash law? By the way, my best friend has a Jack Russell. Great dog and smart as hell!

my thoughts as well. You can even say it nicely and let him know you would have no choice as you simply can't afford potential ongoing vet bills every time his dog attacks yours or take the risk that your wife might be accidentally injured if she happens to be walking the dog and it happens again.

I'm particularly sensitive to this issue as I own pitbulls who must be walked with a muzzle where I live. I've had them all attacked at different times by loose dogs, while on walks and they can't defend themselves, so I defend them with the my boot if I have to. I love all dogs, but I am sick to death of irresponsible owners letting their dogs run free and then acting schocked when their dog attacks one of mine, stating that their dog is normally "friendly".

[herm]

Show him the bill and the dog's wounds then tell him the next time his dog is out such that you have to deal with it it is going to the pound as a stray to be euthanized.

my thoughts exactly, except i would leave out the euthanized part...no need to go there.

[ducatiz]

Get some dog mace and spray the shit out of the dog every time he comes around.  He'll stop.  He won't like it but if he's loose and attacking people/dogs, that's the downside.