HELP! Neighbors dog killed my yorkie yesterday.

[abbey lee]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I am so sorry for your loss -- what a horrible way to have to lose a beloved pet! I too, would be furious with the neighbors for their lack of concern and sympathy. Since they did nothing to show remorse, I would send them a bill. I might even have a lawyer draw up a letter itemizing the bill. Include, anything broken, the cost if professionally cleaned, the cost of a Yorkie at today's prices, then figure some sort of cost to account for the personal shock, misery, loss of companionship, etc.. (even though no amount of money would every come close to either replacing your baby or atoning for your feelings about this tragedy). I would also include a request for what you might feel would be a safer way for them to keep their dogs -- i.e. install a topped fenced dog run. Since they jump the current fence it is NOT adequate. I would also inquire about the property owners responsibility in cases like this and send a copy to him. The property owners might not want such vicious dogs in their home.

I am usually against suing over accidents, but when a person knows they have a vicious dog and then knew it had jumped the fence, that was no accident -- thta was pure negligence. When our neighbor's dog dug up my flower bed, my neighbor apologized a hundred times and even offered to purchase new flowers! That was just some little old flowers -- for the loss of life, this person should have been giving you every ounce of sympathy, apology and some offer of help and restitution there could be! So, if they don't pay the bill, I would definately discuss the next step with the lawyer. People need to be held accountable when they refuse to live up to their responsibilities. If nothing else, you could always use the money to donate to a rescue organization in memory of your sweet baby.

Thank you for this wonderful reply. We most definately WILL be suing them. I know some people may say that it won't help, but our family just -to say so bluntly - wants them to SUFFER like we have suffered. We won't to shake them up and have them do something about the other dog. We are just making lists right now for all the things we can get them on. WE WILL NOT LET MINNIE GO DOWN LIKE THIS. Like I said we had her for 14 years. She did not deserve to suffer. I will take all this into consideration. Thank you!!

[abbey lee]

Originally Posted by bonbon

I am so very sorry for your family's loss. This is an unimaginable tragedy. I think you've gotten some excellent advice from the others on how to proceed with the neighbors.

My immediate concern would be keeping your pups safe from their remaining dog. You must have a large doggie door for the chow to have come through. Does your doogie door have the sliding piece that you can slip in to lock the door off? If so, can you come up with a way to put it in only part way so that the opening is just big enough for your dogs to get through? This might at least help keep them safe inside if you're not home.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

We are closing up the dog door. It was a larger dog door bc we have a large dog too but this dog was bigger than all of our dogs. I guess he just squeezed through. I HAVE not and WILL not leave Abbey there alone. I take her to work with me and when I must leave her I confine her to a room and do not let her open in the house. We are in just so much fear bc they have another large dog. I am so thankful Abbey was not also harmed which would have made this twice as painful.

[abbey lee]

Originally Posted by Patti

I am so terribly saddened by the tragic,senseless death of Minnie. I would absolutely contact the landlord and maybe they will realize the liability these tenant's are exposing them to and help you out. My heart goes out to you.

Another hurdle we have just discovered is that they are actually the landlords relatives! The landlord is awful too and that house has always been nothing but trouble. The tenants that lived there before were drug dealers and the house had a huge drug raid. Now we have these people! The house is an absolute mess, front yard is disgusting, pool in back is green, they don't take care of it. And I don't like in a bad neighborhood! We live in one of the nicer neighborhoods. We will be suing.

[blancla]

I am so sorry about what happened to Minnie. I wish that something could be done faster than having to go through the suing process. I wish you the best of luck. Did you contact a lawyer yet?

[nana911]

there are a couple of avenues to explore. First if you live in the city or county. Go back to the police. Tell them you want to know if there are any ordinances or statutes under which either you or they can press or sign charges. Either they as an entity or you as a citizen. Do not let them blow you off on this. Most venues have ordinances that cover items that state statutes don't cover. Example: in our venue, noise complaints of barking dogs.. neighbors get fed up, call, cops arrive, dogs are quiet, cops can't prosecute because they didn't observe/witness it, so the neighbors have and exercise the right to sign a complaint and the neighbors are prosecuted and fined based on that complaint. If they can't/won't sign a complaint, you may be able to exercise your rights and sign. If you can get anything pushed through criminally on this in your favor then it becomes a win win, because a win criminally is pretty much an automatic win in a civil when you go for the monetary. There should be some ordinance violation here of some sort of failure to control their animal and causing damage to property. Whoever suggested going after their landlord was also correct. Also, be sure when you go to the police to obtain all copies of the incidents and officer's responses, any paperwork, reports etc... that was generated by this call.

I cannot imagine what you are going through, how horrifying. My heart would be screaming for some sort of primal eye for an eye scenario. In our society hitting their wallet and attempting a successful run a getting them out of the neighborhood is about as close as your going to get.

[Gennies]

I wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family. I'm glad that you are planning on suing! It's more than appropriate in this situation! Are you in a rural area where you can have a bb gun or something just incase this other dog jumps into your yard and tries to attack your other babies? It's amazing your husky wasn't hurt as well.


As for the officer and animal control, go to their bosses!!! Something should be done by someone!!

I'm so sorry for you all. (((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))

[chattiesmom]

First of all, I am so very sorry for your devestating loss. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers - what a horrible situation.

Had it been me, the dog wouldn't have lived long enough to get pts. I would have shot him, on the spot and cleaned up the mess. We recently had an incident with the neighbor's pitt bull mix dogs attacking my miniature horses. Animal control told us that we had the right to protect person and property -- period. If that included killing the dogs, then so be it. Sadly it isn't the dogs fault, but they are the ones to suffer the consequences of poor breeding and stupid irresponsible owners.

Depending upon how much $$ you want to spend for resolution and how far you want to go, hire an attorney and sue the owners for everything that the attorney can legimately include - including the interment of your beloved Minnie, cleaning, emotional trauma, and the loss of the use of your backyard and doggie door. If you don't want to incur the cost of an attorney, figure the real cost for the loss of Minnie and cleaning, etc. Be sure to keep your receipts and then take them to small claims court. I would include the land lords in the lawsuit since they own the property and are aware that there are vicious dogs living on the premises.

[nana911]

Originally Posted by abbey lee

Another hurdle we have just discovered is that they are actually the landlords relatives! The landlord is awful too and that house has always been nothing but trouble. The tenants that lived there before were drug dealers and the house had a huge drug raid. Now we have these people! The house is an absolute mess, front yard is disgusting, pool in back is green, they don't take care of it. And I don't like in a bad neighborhood! We live in one of the nicer neighborhoods. We will be suing.

while you are at the police station ask for a listing of all complaints at that address while it has been owned by the current 'landlord'. Go to city hall and building and zoning and check about ordinance violations when it comes to upkeep. All of those are fineable offenses..can get very very expensive, make his life very unhappy. the hx of complaints will only help in court.

[bailie]

omg! i am totally lost for words, so so sorry to hear that. my thoughts are with u all. x

[LuvMySissy]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I am so sorry for your loss -- what a horrible way to have to lose a beloved pet! I too, would be furious with the neighbors for their lack of concern and sympathy. Since they did nothing to show remorse, I would send them a bill. I might even have a lawyer draw up a letter itemizing the bill. Include, anything broken, the cost if professionally cleaned, the cost of a Yorkie at today's prices, then figure some sort of cost to account for the personal shock, misery, loss of companionship, etc.. (even though no amount of money would every come close to either replacing your baby or atoning for your feelings about this tragedy). I would also include a request for what you might feel would be a safer way for them to keep their dogs -- i.e. install a topped fenced dog run. Since they jump the current fence it is NOT adequate. I would also inquire about the property owners responsibility in cases like this and send a copy to him. The property owners might not want such vicious dogs in their home.

I think this is a great suggestion. I would definitely visit with an attorney and present them with a bill as suggested above.

The idea of a topped fence dog run for their other dog should be a mandate. If they are resistant, I would definitely let other neighbors know about this incident.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by abbey lee

Thank you for this wonderful reply. We most definately WILL be suing them. I know some people may say that it won't help, but our family just -to say so bluntly - wants them to SUFFER like we have suffered. We won't to shake them up and have them do something about the other dog. We are just making lists right now for all the things we can get them on. WE WILL NOT LET MINNIE GO DOWN LIKE THIS. Like I said we had her for 14 years. She did not deserve to suffer. I will take all this into consideration. Thank you!!

Glad to hear you are going to follow through for Minnie's memory. People like these folks cannot be reasoned with normal human compassion, they have to be hit over the head with something that will hurt -- like the loss of money, or personal freedom. That is the only way they will make any changes. You have to have them change for the sake of your other pets! Maybe if they are made uncomfortable enough, they will move.

I had a friend with horrid neighbors that were also family renting from the owners. They wound up making a generous offer for the property and bought them out. Now they choose who rents it! I know that is not always a possibility, but thought I would throw it out there.

[chachi]

I am sorry for your loss. Yours is a shocking story to find a strange dog in your house that fatally attacks your dog and the police wont do anything. IM glad your gonna get an attorney and pursue it further

[BettyBee]

I am so very sorry. Don't know what else to say. I know it hurts.

[bebeyorkie]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I am so sorry for your loss -- what a horrible way to have to lose a beloved pet! I too, would be furious with the neighbors for their lack of concern and sympathy. Since they did nothing to show remorse, I would send them a bill. I might even have a lawyer draw up a letter itemizing the bill. Include, anything broken, the cost if professionally cleaned, the cost of a Yorkie at today's prices, then figure some sort of cost to account for the personal shock, misery, loss of companionship, etc.. (even though no amount of money would every come close to either replacing your baby or atoning for your feelings about this tragedy). I would also include a request for what you might feel would be a safer way for them to keep their dogs -- i.e. install a topped fenced dog run. Since they jump the current fence it is NOT adequate. I would also inquire about the property owners responsibility in cases like this and send a copy to him. The property owners might not want such vicious dogs in their home.

I am usually against suing over accidents, but when a person knows they have a vicious dog and then knew it had jumped the fence, that was no accident -- thta was pure negligence. When our neighbor's dog dug up my flower bed, my neighbor apologized a hundred times and even offered to purchase new flowers! That was just some little old flowers -- for the loss of life, this person should have been giving you every ounce of sympathy, apology and some offer of help and restitution there could be! So, if they don't pay the bill, I would definately discuss the next step with the lawyer. People need to be held accountable when they refuse to live up to their responsibilities. If nothing else, you could always use the money to donate to a rescue organization in memory of your sweet baby.

Great Advice!!! Totally agree

So sorry for your loss Hugs going your way- I will keep you in my prayers

[snoopygirlaf]

I know that nothing anyone can say will make this situation any better or easier for you but I want to say I am really sorry this happened to you and your family. I also am from Texas and have found some state laws about owning dogs that I think you may find helpful. I do believe you have good chances of winning any lawsuit since I came across this.

Texas Consolidated Dog Laws

Under the section titled "Dogs or coyotes that attack animals" (2c) is what you will want to show a lawyer if you do pursue a lawsuit. It shows that the owners are responsible for all costs and damages done by the dog.

Good luck and I hope this helps you. Again...sorry for your loss and if you need anymore help let me know. I know a lot about dog laws for Texas because my neighbors down the street have some problem dogs and I constantly am looking them up.