2 weeks ago my sis adopted a pit bull from rescue. Slayte is 2-3 years old, 85# (needs to loose 10# or so) and a total couch potato. The Foster Mom has had him for about 18 months, with cats and 5 other dogs with no problem. My sis has a 12-YO Great Pyranees and a 9 month old Aussie/BC cross.

Last night a friend of hers brought her little 5-MO old puppy over-- which she's done a couple of times before. Maybe a rat terrier X pit cross. About 15#. All the dogs were out in the back yard playing except the Pyr (she's too old).

Their neighbors have 2 dogs like a Maltese or cross. They dug under the fence and when my sis heard 'bad' noises ran outside and Slayte had one of the Maltese in his mouth shaking it. When ordered to drop it, he did immediately and ran to my sis. The Maltese was bleeding but ran back under the fence to his or her house. The other Maltese either never got in the back yard or already had run home.

Slayte had a bloody scratch on his face and right neck area. We *figure* the neighbor's dog attacked Slayte and he retaliated, as the other dogs had already been introduced to him previously and they were all playing fine for a couple of hours before this incident. Sis went around to the neighbor's house and they were on their way to the vet with their dog. She expressed concern and was basically told to F- off.

From what I know, she is NOT liable since the neighbor's dog dug under the fence and entered Sis's yard. Sis's dogs were properly contained. Is this correct? She has already called the foster mom who was stunned this happened as she said Slayte had NEVER shown aggression with any of the foster dogs she had in/out of the house during the 18 months she had him.

Sis & BF have already laid boards sideways and blocked the bottom of the fence as best they can from their side in hopes of preventing this again. And of course they're panicking thinking they're gonna get sued or AC will come take Slayte away.

Ugh, I'm sorry for your sister! Sounds like it could become a mess. I really don't know about the legalities of it all, but it makes sense to me that she wouldn't be liable, as her dogs were properly contained on her own property.

I don't know though, and it's all complicated by the fact that Slayte is a bully breed, and they've got a bad rap.

Let us know how it works out- what is your Sis's relationship with the neighbor like?

Give your insurance agent a call,just for a heads up. If it would make you feel better give your attorney a call. good luck


(a side note # my insurance will not cover pit bulls,and a few other breeds.)

Give your insurance agent a call,just for a heads up. If it would make you feel better give your attorney a call. good luck

my insurance will not cover pit bulls,and a few other breeds.

i'm not saying it's right or wrong, but I never allow my dog to socialize with other dogs, except my own. i'm also very careful who i let pet them. Never unattended. remember they are Dogs not Humans. we are not they're mommy/daddy's we are they're Handlers

Animal control may come out and check for dog license and vaccine records,rabies.

I don't know the legalities of this either. But I am wondering if I am not the only one who would be in a whole lot of trouble if AC showed up at my door and thought they were going to take my dog? Hope everything works out for them and the dogs.

And....this is why I never leave my dogs outside unattended. I am either outside with them or in the kitchen watching them.

If I were your sister, I would call animal control to report their dogs getting into her yard and causing a fight. I would rather be the first one on record in a situation like this.

I would not inform my homeowners insurance as you are pretty much guaranteeing that they will drop you or raise rates.

Your sister should be safe since her dogs were contained but some areas have some very strange laws.

My biggest concern at this point would be retaliation from the neighbors, I would be on poison patrol.

I had a similar situation with my dog and a cat. AC did not take my dog.

 Quote: Cheryl Gee

I had a similar situation with my dog and a cat. AC did not take my dog.

Me too, years ago. AC didn't even contact me. The cat-owners made noise about 'getting me' but learned very quickly they had no case because their cat jumped over my fence and into my yard. Had my dog gone into their yard and injured the cat, that would be a different story.

Not sure what the laws are elsewhere, but that's how it is here.