Honestly IMO....both you AND the neighbor is at fault here. As a pet owner it is your responsibility to be aware of your pets whereabouts at all times. Whether its your front yard, backyard....bathroom, kitchen, or shoe box...you watch them. I have a cat as well....& yes they are roamers...but u still keep an eye on them. I live in an apartment building with a front walkway & balconys....my cat doesn't really have much room to roam...but I'm still on her a** like whit on rice. Now I'm pretty sure the OP has heard of all the terrifying Hawk / back yard predator stories....so thinking that its ok to leave your yorkie out in your back yard unattend wasn't the best idea. as much as your yorkies feel they are pitbulls...they are not. & because they are so small they should be watched.
That's like having a baby roam freely around your house. & you feel like because its YOUR house...you don't have to hover over them. :-\
Now you are right....you don't own the neighbor any money...because it was "...fair game..." but I would have gave them SOMETHING...because my animal killed them. Whether its money....offer to get another kitten...or a HAPPY MEAL!....I would've given something. I would've felt really bad that they had to bury their family member. But maybe that's just ME.
But ill make sure ill have that "Fair game" mentality when I own a home w/ a front & back yard. I'm going to put up a sign on my front door saying "free puppies" & when people knock, ill set 5 rabid pitbulls on them....why?....because its fair game. Its my property & I can do w/e I please on it.
