Report that dog to animal control, in-law or not, I wouldn't split the vet bill, let the neighbor pay all vet bills. That dog should not be off leash to attack other dogs on their own property, poor, poor, Barney and poor you. You are very lucky your baby is alive, police officer or not, he is responsible for his company and their dog. So happy his leg isn't broken but a punctured lung OMG.Keeping sweet Barney in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.Please keep us updated.

OMG I am so so sorry and can't imagine how traumatic for you and Barney. I agree with everyone else to make formal complaints. I'm just so happy Barney is going to be okay, it definitely could have been even worse. So many good vibes going your way for a speedy recovery. ((hugs))

Oh dear! I about lost my mind when my Cali was attacked by a hawk so can imagine somewhat how you feel.

I have had one issue with a neighbors pet and after talking with that neighbor I asked animal control to make a visit since the neighbor did not seem to understand or want to hear about the leash law. after animal control visited everything changed - I think they got a ticket and warning.

Anyway, that could have been a child or an elderly person and that neighbor dog needs to be in control! You could be attacked next time!

So sorry you baby had to go through that. I have a zero tolerance when it comes for my dog and yard,

Keep us posted.

I’m glad it’s not broken. Poor little guy. Prayers for fast recovery.

Good to hear that Barney is getting better.

OMG :(!!! This is just horrific - I can't even imagine what you and little Barney have been going through! I'm so very sorry to hear this news. I would be SO upset for so many reasons here.

First, I'm relieved to hear that he's going to be okay :love: It's a miracle it wasn't way worse than this - your baby will be okay.

I was trying to see if the state of Arkansas had state leash laws, but they do not - they defer to the local governments. In my city, Phoenix, our leash laws are very, very clear. You may want to look up your city or county leash laws. If it were me, I absolutely would report this to the police bc a law (if you have them) was broken and almost *killed* a little being. That dog could and would do this again, to another little dog if given the chance. They *need* to pay a fine - they need to have that feeling you have when you've done something wrong and the police get involved. And then it's also on record. It may be the one thing that will deter them from hurting someone else's sweet beloved baby.

Again, sooooooo happy our little Barney will be okay long term. Hugs!

We live in a very small (like 5 houses) township. It is out in the country. There aren’t any real actions I can take here. However it appears his company has left. We haven’t seen the dog since it was in our yard yesterday morning. Hubs is going to message neighbor today to check. He has a young wife and baby and the wife is super nervous about living out in the country. I do not condone anything that happened. He doesn’t either. He realizes how horrific this is. I honestly think this has caused some issues with him and his wife. I just understand his feeling of needed protection when he’s gone. He works night shift and wife and baby are left alone. She is so anxious that she won’t even answer her door for us. We had gone over and knocked one day to give her some things that had blown into our yard from a storm. She didn’t answer the door and called him to come home. He, by the way, would be the person I would call for animal control.

I appreciate everyone’s concerns. Keep crossing your fingers that he comes out of this. The vet mentioned possible brain damage. She said his eyes were bloodshot when we brought him in Sunday. I didn’t even notice I was so focused on all the blood he lost. I am hoping she is wrong and he’s just depressed. But he looks completely lost. He finally pooped last night. Yeah!!!!

I am so sorry to hear about this incident. Poor, poor Barney...and you! I will keep you in my thoughts, and wish for a full and speedy recovery for your little one.

My heart bleeds for poor Barney, these babies mask their pain so we never know how much pain they are going through. This should never have happened to this sweet innocent lil baby. I may sound harsh and even cruel, but, if the wife is so scared of being in the country they should never have gotten a home there. And if this neighbor would be the contact person for animals out of control I would go to someone higher up. His in-laws may be gone with that dog but that is not to say they will never be back with it. Now there is concern of brain damage to your little baby, I am just sickened by this. I just cannot imagine the pain and suffering you are going through worrying now about a new fate that may be possible for your little baby. Keeping you and sweet Barney in my prayers. (((hugs)))

Just remember. By reporting this to the authorities it just might prevent the dog from attacking a small child or an adult. Once they attack someone or a small animal, it's a precursor to it happening again.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: And even if there isn't a leash law, the damage the neighbor's dog did to Barney is still a property crime at the very least. I know your neighbor is nice, and a policeman. Maybe the blame and responsibility can be laid at the foot of the visiting inlaws. Definitely file a police report to keep this from happening again.

I'm glad it wasn't a broken leg, although a punctured lung is bad enough! I hope and pray for a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted on Barney's progress.

Sorry, I didn't see this update when I made my last post. I'm glad the neighbor's dog is gone--hopefully for good. Since you're in a small settlement in the middle of the countryside, maybe there's nothing more that you can or want to do about litigating this, and that's okay. But if the dog shows up again and it's not on a leash, please speak with the neighbor about this again. In the meantime, keep an eagle eye on Barney when you have him outside.

Does the vet have him on antibiotics and pain meds?

Oh no! That's terrible. Please keep us informed on how the baby is doing.