Neighbors dog bites my dog
 

Last Thursday, the day Ivan went through Alabama, my spouse and I took our two poodles outside for a pee break. We were standing in our yard talking to our neighbors who were walking their Irish Setter when one of our poodles and the neighbor's dog took off through our yard after a rabbit, and as we all were trying to round up our dogs the next thing we knew our poodle was squealing at the top of her lungs. She ran back to us, still squealing. At first we thought she had been scared by the neighbor's dog, so we took her inside to calm her down after all four of us assumed she was okay. It was then that we noticed blood and several bite marks on her flank. The next day we took her to the vet who confirmed that she had been bitten by a large dog. He shaved her flank, treated her with antibiotics and ointment and said she would be okay in about a week.
Our question is....should we say anything to the neighbors about what actually happened. We have lived next door to them for about a year and have never had a problem with their dog, although he roams through our yard quite frequently. They are very good neighbors, and we don't want to make an issue out of something that may cause ill will.
This photo was taken Wednesday, 6 days after the incident.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...l/1f703ee7.jpg

That's a tough subject. I'd just bring it up in a friendly way, and let them know what happened. Since it really isn't anyone's fault. If you had prior knowledge of the dog roaming around and said nothing, then you can't really use that card. Also, you both let your dogs run away out of sight, sooo...

It was just an unfortunate accident I suppose. I hope your dog gets well soon.

Your dog wasn't on a leash....

It sounds like the larger dog was just over excited by the rabbit. If it happens again bring it up, but if this is the only time it happens their is really no need to bring it up.

I would definitely bring it up to them because if it happens again (or another incident happens with their dog biting something or someone else) and you bring up this instance they will be pissed that you never told them.

Be as non confrontational as possible and explain that you just thought they should know and you're not looking for payment or anything from them (I assume you're not since you're debating whether to even tell them about it).

I agree with this 100%. You don't have a lot of room to complain.

I back this approach. As others have said, your dog was off a leash and they were excited, and dogs being dogs they will occassionally bite - but the owners should be aware of what happened. I would want to know if it was my dog - just so I would know to be watchful for a while when my dog was around others or small children.

There's also the possibility that if your dogs and the neighbor's setter are out together in the yard, the dynamic may be interesting, and the neighbors should be aware of any reasons why.

1. Both dog wasn't on leash
2. Yeah, you should mention it to them, just to let them know
3. You shouldn't report it to the authorities b/c of the first reason and the fact that you don't want to have a bad feud with your neighbour

That's about what I do. The leash thing doesnt really even matter, that is a town ordinance, if they dont live in town they don't have to abide by it.

OMG I would so tell them....after I killed their dog of course.....no one/dog bites my dogs flank at all.....I doubt dog would try to do that to mine since I have a rot but you know.....tell them and if they get upset over it then they are morons.

Yep, you gotta tell them. You'd want to know if it was your dog, right? They will probably think it's weird that you waited so long to tell them. Maybe just bring it up the next time you see them, don't make it a special trip over.

Thanks all, for your comments and suggestions. Two nights ago we spoke to the neighbor. We had decided to wait for a run-in instead of going over to their house and making a point of telling them what happened. The neighbor was extremely apologetic and concerned about our dog. We had a good talk and got everything out.
As for my dog, she is fine now. The leash comments were taken to heart. When we take our dogs for a "walk", they are always leashed. But when we step outside the front door for 10 seconds or so, and the dog goes to pee not more than 8-10 feet from us, well.....they are not always leashed. However, this was one of those situations where certain things happening at a certain time led to disaster. We are more vigilant now, carefully checking the yard when we go out. And if we step outside and the neighbor has their dog around our house, the neighbor calls out to let us know.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/Grancey/Z2.jpg">

Glad to hear your dog is okay, Grancey! That's a cool Halloween pic :D

Sounds like you're lucky enough to have neighbors who can act like mature adults. I fully expected you to come back and tell us a long story about your neighbor trying to make it your fault.

Of course, I'm biased, because my neighbors blamed me when their unleashed dog bit me in the ass as I was walking to the school bus in sixth grade. They claimed that it was the dog getting revenge for some incident in which I allegedly tried to run over the dog with my bike a few years before that (the dog kept running in circles around me and it took a lot of care and effort to not hit the little dumbass.)

Yep. I'd say you're lucky you have nice neighbors. Are you going to dress up your cute little poodle for halloween ? That's always fun :D

What a cute baby!

I really wasn't sure what to expect for I've also had bad experiences with other dog owners....but this time I dealt with real adults. The owner came by last night bearing a gift and another apology: a mini rawhide bone. He declared that the purchase of the gift was coming out of his dog's allowance. :)

I think you should tell them as well but make it polite. Animals behave in strange ways. They should know about this so that they can (hopefully) keep their dog on a short leash.

That is messed up. Why can't they all get along? ;)

I am one of the most vocal proponents of leash law compliance, but in most (if not all) cases, leash laws do not apply to dogs on their property. The neighbor's dog, however, was not on its property, and should therefore have been leashed. That's all assuming that there is a leash law where you live. They're certainly not necessary everywhere.

Other than that, although I'm glad to hear the issue was settled amicably, it sounds like you're the one taking steps to avoid another incident, instead of the party at fault. Does your neighbor's dog still wander about without a leash? If so, you really haven't resolved the problem. Your neighbor is inconveniencing you in order to avoid his own responsibility.

The gift was a nice gesture, though. I guess it could have been a lot worse. Sounds to me like you're a good neighbor.

You're name says it all.

My dog got bitten a few weeks ago while at a dog park. Although I wasn't there at the time, I got the impression that it wasn't really a big deal. Like kids, dogs tend to play aggresively and can hurt each other at times.

You did the right thing by telling your neighbor.