background:
a large purebred GSD male down the road is totally dog aggresive, it killed a purebred young stud Marema, the GSD owner paid off the Marema owner n it didn't go to the police. the GSD is de-sexed BTW, it attacks every dog it sees. the owners have a excellent fence but there is a small gap under it that two toy dogs got through n one got killed n by the time i got there after hearing a lady screaming n wrapped a blanket around my arm to take a bite (which i did) n belted the GSD off with a stick the other one was badly mauled, it survived thanks to the vet but has permanent spinal damage from the attack. the little dog never ran while it's mate got killed it stayed n defended it.
anyway it happened on GSD owners property so no case.
the angry neigbours were going to drop a bait but i talked them out of it, n worked through some strategies with the owner. i actually feed the dog when they are away because it is banned from local boarding kennels n it has accepted me.

today: was out workin in the yard n my dog was minding it's own business about 30m away from me. the guy down the road left a roller door open n his GSD was loose without him knowing it. it got through my fence n went like a bullet stright for my 18-20mo female curr now 38kg = 84 pounds i think. i have weapons stashed all over my property n hestitated to get a combat knife strapped in a nearby tree in oppositte direction or try n beat the GSD to my dog. she tried turning away from him and he sunk both canines deep into her butt, which is a good a place as any i guess to take a bite. my dog is real athletic n she turned while GSD was still attached and nailed him right on the top of the shoulders he let go n she transferred to his neck n shook the crap out of him by the time i got their GSD was screaming on it back. so now two dogs at vet the GSD can't move its front leg from the shoulder bite. (i didn't harm him BTW my girl ran him off the property before i got to them).

so now who is at fault, who's dog is gonna get a dangerous dog ordinance which = a lot of expensive infrastructure n handling procedures. n why is this dog like that, attacking females, pups, anything??

BTW my dog is fine n at home. she has been running the fence all day with tail up like she's looking for more, is that a normal reaction.

Your dog’s been attacked Peter. Not wanting to sound anthropomorphistic but if you were caught off guard (or even on guard as your girl was), all out assaulted while relaxing in your home and lived to tell the story, you’d be a little antsy and reactive too.

Your girl is showing a fair amount of anxiety regardless of the “tough girl” image you think you are seeing. Sure she’s confident (tail up), she was successful but she’s pacing, anticipating and preparing for the next time. She is hyper-vigilant right now, a by-product of post traumatic stress. Not a good state to be in for any length of time.

You need to exercise the crap out of her (in line with the injuries she’s sustained of course) and provide the safest environment you can. Don’t allow her to practice the pacing, keep her by your side. Have her in the house with you, energy drained and relaxed. No coddling, just comforting respect for what she’s been through.

And we could sit here all day and speculate why the other dog is the way he is. The lack of details pertaining to how this dog has been raised and what his experiences have been make it impossible to give you any kind of informed answer. One thing is obvious – a lack of proper management and training on behalf of the owner.

What your girl has just been through will often start the downward spiral into all out dog aggression. Your next steps are critical in working her through it. There are many threads on this site dealing with this topic. If you have specific questions though, don’t hesitate to ask.

And I think you know the answer to who's at fault. Are you going to be pursuing it?

Sorry to hear this happened to your girl. I hope it all works out for you.

I might invest in some security cameras in this case.. if that dog shows up on your properity again and attacks, you'd have some good evidence on your hands. Do whatever you have to do to protect yourself.

Personally? If I saw that dog anywhere near my property again I would shoot it.
But, I have a big acreage. I would tell the neighbor I was going to to that, too.
JMHO

I would file a report.

If the dog "gets loose" again, its important that there is a record for the police to be able to take action.

Personaly, I think its rare that dogs just "get loose". None of mine ever have. Sure there can be a mistake where a gate is left open, but when you have a dangerous animal its your responsibility to make sure that never happens. Ever.

Its shows a careless trait in the owner that the dog got out of the house, and then out of the yard. It will probably happen again.

Just tell the cops that the dog is wearing a prong collar.

 Quote:

Personaly, I think its rare that dogs just "get loose". None of mine ever have. Sure there can be a mistake where a gate is left open, but when you have a dangerous animal its your responsibility to make sure that never happens. Ever.

Yeah, in all the years that I've had dogs I've never had one "just get loose", dangerous or not. Especially if the dog is known to be dangerous, NOT an excuse at all. Completely careless and this level of carelessness can be used against the neighbor.

In the case of the OP's dog, the attack is entirely the neighbor's fault. I would pursue it for all it's worth and do everything you can to help the dog deal with the trauma. It sounds like this neighbor has been getting off easily from a legal perspective and it's given him carte blanche to continue with careless behaviour. It's time to start holding him accountable.

BUT...
What happened to the little dogs was their owner's fault entirely. My fences were always installed with the primary purpose of keeping MY dogs IN. If someone is crazy enough (or irresponsible enough) to allow their dogs to crawl under my fence into my yard, then whatever transpires is on them.

hi, vet threatened to make report if either of us don't. the dogs history isn't documented for the reasons stated - marema- n the toys that were attacked as far as the police are concerned the GSD was defending itself when the 2 dogs came into its yard to attack it!!!

as far as neigbour is concerned there was no attack as the GSD left my yard before the neighbour knew anything, he only saw his dog at his house - what attack - prove it was his dog that bit mine!!!

fault does matter as if police get hold of it one dog has to be aggressive - the GSD's life could well be in my hands legally. i have fed the thing several times n would find it hard to order its destruction, its just a really disturbed dog.

locked my dog in house last night, it spent the whole night using a deep snarling growl/bark at windows n doors, i think its nerves are on (not sure what that means exactly) as it ran from window to window snarling and body was super tense. everyone knows my dog is super friendly n doesn't get into fights. i haven't slept all night due to my dog growling barking n have to go to work. shes locked in house now - the dog in my house last night was not the dog i know,nothing at all like her in fact. i am really concerned. i just want my dog back is all.

 Quote: Peter Cavallaro

hi, vet threatened to make report if either of us don't.

And you did, correct?

 Quote: Peter Cavallaro

... the dog in my house last night was not the dog i know,nothing at all like her in fact. i am really concerned. i just want my dog back is all.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

... Your girl is showing a fair amount of anxiety regardless of the “tough girl” image you think you are seeing. Sure she’s confident (tail up), she was successful but she’s pacing, anticipating and preparing for the next time. She is hyper-vigilant right now, a by-product of post traumatic stress. Not a good state to be in for any length of time.

You need to exercise the crap out of her (in line with the injuries she’s sustained of course) and provide the safest environment you can. Don’t allow her to practice the pacing, keep her by your side. Have her in the house with you, energy drained and relaxed. No coddling, just comforting respect for what she’s been through. .... What your girl has just been through will often start the downward spiral into all out dog aggression. Your next steps are critical in working her through it. There are many threads on this site dealing with this topic. If you have specific questions though, don’t hesitate to ask.