my dog bites neighbors dog

[gizz3]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Arizona

My neighbor came to my door one morning and stated that my dog got out of the back yard and went down the street to their house, climbed their back gate and attacked their dog. I went to my back yard and there was my dog, sound asleep. They handed me a vet bill for $173.00, and said that they want me to pay for the damages that my dog had done to theirs.
Not knowing for sure that my dog had done this or not, I told them that I would have to look into this issue before I handed over any money.
This all happened less than a week ago and every day they have been at my door wanting money or following me to the grocery store, convienence store, to school were I drop off my children, etc. They are constantly threatening me and my children with a law suit.
Do they have a case? It seems to me that you would have to have some kind of proof that this was my dog and not another dog that was running the neighborhood.

 

[john123456]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Arizona

My neighbor came to my door one morning and stated that my dog got out of the back yard and went down the street to their house, climbed their back gate and attacked their dog. I went to my back yard and there was my dog, sound asleep. They handed me a vet bill for $173.00, and said that they want me to pay for the damages that my dog had done to theirs.
Not knowing for sure that my dog had done this or not, I told them that I would have to look into this issue before I handed over any money.
This all happened less than a week ago and every day they have been at my door wanting money or following me to the grocery store, convienence store, to school were I drop off my children, etc. They are constantly threatening me and my children with a law suit.
Do they have a case? It seems to me that you would have to have some kind of proof that this was my dog and not another dog that was running the neighborhood.

Did you ask your neighbor why he believes it was your dog? Does your dog have a history of this behavior?

 

[ylen13]

whille waiting for answer to gizz3 qustions, how big is gate that you dog supposedly climb and is your dog capable of climbing that gate. Also you may want to tell your neighboor that you will file police report if he don't stop harasing you.

 

[gizz3]

dog bites neighbors dog

Did you ask your neighbor why he believes it was your dog? Does your dog have a history of this behavior?

My nieghbor is saying that its my dog due to the light brown color although there are at least 3 other dogs that have been running the neighborhood that are also similar in size and color to my dog. As for history of this behavior, Yes, two years ago my dog got out of the back yard and attacked a stray dog that was in our front yard. I feel that she was just protecting her own. She has never bitten anyone but has killed several stray cats that climb the fence into our back yard.

 

[gizz3]

dog bites neighbors dog

whille waiting for answer to gizz3 qustions, how big is gate that you dog supposedly climb and is your dog capable of climbing that gate. Also you may want to tell your neighboor that you will file police report if he don't stop harasing you.

The neighbors gate is a 5ft chain-link gate. Yes, I feel that my dog is capable of climbing the gate. She is 2ft tall so a 5ft chain-link gate is only 3ft for her to get over and when she stands on her back legs with her front legs on the gate, I'm sure its just a small jump for her to get over it. I have never seen her jump a 5ft gate Im just guessing that she is capable of getting over it. My yard is fenced with 8ft wood fence panels that she cannot climb over.

 

[tijerin]

My yard is fenced with 8ft wood fence panels that she cannot climb over.

If your dog cannot climb over YOUR 8 ft fence, then how did it get out of your backyard? (both two years ago when it did (per your post) or in this situation where your dog did (according to your neighbors))

 

[seniorjudge]

Tell your neighbor to bite rocks.

 

[gizz3]

bites neighbors dog

If your dog cannot climb over YOUR 8 ft fence, then how did it get out of your backyard? (both two years ago when it did (per your post) or in this situation where your dog did (according to your neighbors))

Two years ago when my dog got out of the back yard, it was clearly my fault. I had gone through the side gate and didn't make sure the gate lached. This time, I don't know how my dog could have or if she did get out. If she did jump the fence, she jumped back in by morning.

 

[gizz3]

dog bites neighbors dog

Tell your neighbor to bite rocks.

I wish I could, that would be easy. My question is, can they file a law suit against me with out real proof that it was my dog?

 

[john123456]

I wish I could, that would be easy. My question is, can they file a law suit against me with out real proof that it was my dog?

Sure they can. However, your neighbor has the burden of proving it was your dog.

 

[seniorjudge]

Sure they can. However, your neighbor has the burden of proving it was your dog.

I agree with John.

 

[gizz3]

dog bites neighbors dog

I agree with John.

Thank you all for your help with this issue. Only time will tell what will happen. I feel that your input has reasured me that everything will work out.


Thanks Again and Peace