I would notify the authorities, who should keep a record of the incident of dangerous dogs and the attack on your dog on your property.

If the invisible fence can go down and the dogs can leap your fence - I think the neighbor has a responsibility at this point to build a higher fence or otherwise contain his dogs more securely on his own property.

I would also ask to get reimbursed for your vet bills, and ask the neighbor to pay it by a certain date. If the payment is not forthcoming, I would get a lawyer.

In the meantime I would get motion-detector lighting put in your backyard, and completely honestly, if the neighbor will not contain his dogs better, I would make sure to have a gun in my home. That's me though.

These dogs have a history of attacks on other dogs - what if you have children visiting?

I agree with Gina, the dogs are obviously dangerous and should be reported as such. If you do not wish to do this for fear of retribution then I would carry pepper spray or mace (if you can get your hands on it) to deter the dogs should they be loose again while you are out.

As mentioned on another site, a good deterrent would be wasp spray. A can will shoot up to about 20 feet, so you donÂt have to get that close; and itÂs legal! It will also work as a defensive spray in case of attack for personal protection. Just a thought.

I agree with the others wholeheartedly. I also believe Animal Control should be called/notified.

Something else that may work for you is the Scarecrow Impulse Sprinkler. It is motion activated and blasts the perps...oh! I mean pests with water. You can get them at Amazon.com.

Here is a link that might be useful: You Tube Scarecrow Demo

You might add barbed wire to the top of the shared fence since they can climb it.

You cannot ensure that the dogs will not leave the yard. Only the neighbor can do this.

You need to report this and make it a record for future use, but hopefully not. Also, talk to your insurance company about your coverage and what the nieghbor might have. The downside is you may not be so freindly with the neighbors again. I hope they covered the vet costs.

It sounds like the dogs have "packed" and will now attack and they will do it again. Be very careful and vigilant.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had not thought about calling animal control. I do not want to cause a further rift in neighbor relations, but may do it if it seems necessary.

Yes, our neighbor should act right, step up to the plate and be responsible for confining his own dogs, but in his mind he has already done that. We just want to fix the fence and get on with our lives. I can't wonder every time I let my dogs out if I am putting them in harm's way, so we need a permanent solution.

After on-line research, we are considering barbed wire arms with plain wire (not barbed), but have no guarantee it would work. Also looked at PVC slats which would look pretty bad, but would prevent the dogs getting a toe-hold in the fence, and installing welded wire fencing at the top of the chain link which would then bend over the neighbor's yard and be supported by those same barbed wire arms.

I had not thought of pepper spray or wasp spray, either. That would be a good idea for when I am out in the yard with my dogs by myself and I plan to do that. I have seen that wasp spray in action and I could do that. DH and DS carry a metal baseball bat with them, but I think I would be pretty useless with that.

Thanks for the scarecrow Impulse Sprinkler idea, Claire de luna, but I think that would barely slow them down. They are very scary, terrifying in fact, in 'attack mode,' and I am a dog lover. They did not respond to being kicked as hard as my son could kick, except to move out of range temporarily.

Thanks again for your support and ideas.

Thanks, PKramer and Barnmom.

I am averse to using the barbed wire. I don't want any dogs to be hurt.

Good idea about calling the insurance agents. They are used to dealing with problems like these.

DN offered to pay vet costs the first day, but hasn't repeated the offer. I don't want him to think that that is the end of his responsibility.

That makes me so angry I can scarcely think....
Those dogs need to be put down...or separated and adoped out one at a time...
But together they are a murderous pack.....
Call animal control....call the newspaper and the radio stations...
Suppose that was your 3 year old grandchild????
Linda C

I appreciate the fact that you don't want to hurt the other person's dogs. I imagine it would only take one prick to deter them. Dogs are smart. The owner - maybe not so much!

Some addition to the top of the fence that leans in the other direction will also work. I still think pepper spray in hand will be a good idea. There is no permanent harm to an animal that I know of. This might be a concern if your own dog gets in the way. I don't know anything about wasp spray.

I have to agree with LindaC...get the authorities involved.

How will you feel if those dogs get loose again and do hurt or kill a child?

ML

Although my wife's parents had boxers and bred them and had very good luck with them over the years I have had nothing but problems with boxers. Granted, my experience has been thin, but last year I had 2 boxers here at my house for boarding and every smaller dog for some reason wanted to fight with them...and they do not back down...so 2 big boxers attacking a small dog...and it wasn't just one or two small dogs...it was 3 or 4 and it got so serious I chipped my front tooth from gritting my teeth and attempting to separate them. Thankfully those people moved to Indiana and I won't have that situation again, but it was very nerve wracking. It really wasn't all their fault either...the little dogs wanted to fight..and it really made no sense...for some reason they didn't like the boxers...and the boxers were defending themselves. Anyway, this might be a bit off topic and rambling..but just so you have my experience with boxers....TROUBLE! To me they are very much like Pit Bulls...and risking commentary from owners of these dogs...regardless of your love of the breed they have a deserved reputation for being troublesome and sometimes deadly dogs.

One of my fellow Fetch! Pet Care owners went on a consultation and met with a Boxer and his owner last year. Without provocation the Boxer attacked and (this is just horrible but true) ripped her lips off her face..and she has had many reconstuctive surgeries and nowhere done with plastic surgery treatments.

I don't know if boxers have been inbred like they say St.Bernards have been and are now a dangerous breed, but those have been my experiences. I hope things get settled and the vet bills get paid and the situation is secure so nothing further happens to make things even worse.

Glad to know someone else has a dog named Duke! My big boy turned 13 last month and has some issues...but I give him doggie hugs and love every day....can't imagine having to lose him. Old dogs, children and watermelon wine as Tom T. Hall so elequently puts it.

Duane

Talk to the police. This is seriously dangerous.

I have a really bad story about pack dogs which I'll not post about (nasty animals). What I will tell you is that it's not a pretty sight when you take your grandchild out to play and a pack of dogs look at you like you have crossed their territory. Then look along your property line and see dead animal carcasses. Please call animal control and get this on paper. You won't be sorry!

Adding my support for ALL of the suggestions. Please don't let this ride. Take action before anyone or any pet is hurt or killed. Thankfully your son and little dog got to the safety of the outbuilding.

Regardless of what you decide re your own property, I hope you will report this incident to the authorities (police or animal control depending upon municipality).

It's very important to establish a pattern; if the dogs get out in future and harm another pet or unfortunately a child, they will already be "on record" and that will make a significant difference in how the incident is treated.

I had the misfortune to be bitten severely by a dog while I was out walking. He was slinking through a deep ditch, leaped out of it and sank his teeth in my leg through to the bone. Fortunately, after that he ran.

When DH and I reported the incident (as did the hospital), we discovered I was the third victim of this dog. For that reason, the dog had to be put down.

There were many children in the neighborhood and I'm very grateful to the two people who placed reports before mine. Otherwise, the outcome would have been quite different and maybe a child would have been next in line.

Carol

"The most recent official survey, conducted more than a decade ago, determined there were 4.7 million dog bite victims annually in the USA. A more recent study showed that 1,000 Americans per day are treated in emergency rooms as a result of dog bites. In 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most of the victims who receive medical attention are children, half of whom are bitten in the face. Dog bite losses exceed $1 billion per year, with over $300 million paid by homeowners insurance. "

Look into various ultrasound dog control devices:
http://www.lowguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=lowguys&Product_Code=DAZX&Category_Code=Pest_Control_Outdoor.

Ultrasound can not be heard by humans, so it will not bother anyone, and it will not cause damage to dogs.
Ultrasound is directional, so you can establish zones to block the dogs from crossing.

dcarch

I meant to post this one also:

http://www.lowguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=lowguys&Product_Code=BIR-YGARD&Category_Code=Dog_Deterrent

dcarch

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I am angry, also, LindaC, but I decided it wasn't good for me to stay so angry all the time. We are going to fix the fence and put it behind us.

Funny, I asked for suggestions about fencing, but almost everyone has said to be sure it gets reported and a record made. I intend to call Animal Control tomorrow.

Dcarch, the links didn't work but I googled and found it. Thanks for the info.

Readinglady, your post has convinced me to make the call to Animal Control.

Riverrat1, how awful!

Dukerdog, another nightmare story. So sorry about your fellow owner. Thanks for your informative reply. I didn't realize boxers had so many problems associated.

Here is our Duke -- Is this a face to love or what? He is one very smart little dog. He has short legs (dachschund?) a face like a rottweiller, and we think his father was a traveling salesman!

What a terrific line. "His father was a traveling salesman." Duke is a cutie.

Despite being bitten, I love dogs. Some of the owners however . . .

Carol

What a sweetie! He sure looks like a Heinz -- 57 varieties. He definitely has those Dobie, Rottweiler markings.

He's too sweet! I love those expressive ears!

I have refrained from saying anything since this is a subject that is hard for us and everyone here knows why. It can't be said enough that you need to call animal control, not just this time, but any time that you see those dogs out of their fenced in yard. Try to take a picture if you can if they are out. They are a dangerous pack and will attack again.

Duke is a sweetie. Love his ears!

Linda

Question for the group: If these kinds of things are NOT called in, can one then be held accountable for not doing so if the dog attacks again and you hadn't reported it? I can see the attorneys having a field day with this.

I thought about that to Jessy I would call it in and get a police report. Years ago we had some people down the street who had pit bulls. Every time they left the dogs would run down the street after them until they turned the corner then the dogs would go back home. One day they charged DH who luckily had a shovel in his hand and wacked them until he could get behind our gate. After that they would come to our house every time they were out.

Needless to say I was afraid to go out and do any gardening. I called animal control who said they couldnÂt do anything until someone was hurt so I called our local sheriff who came out and took a report. I showed him where the dogs lived and he asks if I had a gun. He actually said for me to carry a gun with me and shoot them they if I had to. Even though we live in the mountains I knew it was illegal to fire a gun in a residential area and told him so besides being a really stupid unsafe thing to do. I said if I shoot their dogs they would probably sue me and he agreed they would. Besides I didnÂt know how good of a shot I would be with gardening cloves on. We were real happy when they moved a few months later they only stayed for the summer but boy my gardens took a beating that year and DH still teases me and ask if I have my gardening gloves when we go out to the gun club.

I would report this to animal control and the police or sheriff and get a report. Those dogs will be back and your neighbor needs to be held accountable he may think the electronic fence is enough but clearly itÂs not working for the rest of the neighborhood. ItÂs funny how neighbor get upset and mad at you when they have caused you a problem. DonÂt let him bully you into believing this is your problem only he can control his dogs and he knows that.

Claudia

Jessica, there is no liability for not reporting a dog attack on yourself or your pets. But dog bite law is an evolving thing, and differs from state to state. There are 2 sites I visit from time to time - Dogbitelaw.com and Dogsbite.org.

Dog Bite Law is written by a lawyer who specializes in dog attacks, and Dogs Bite is a dog bite victim's advocate.

Both sites are eye-openers. There is a dog bite epidemic going on, and we have antiquated laws to deal with these situations.

Gina, your links take me to the Whoops, missing file GW page.

Barnmom, you can check out the links by just entering www.dogbitelaw etc.

Very interesting links, Gina. Thanks for providing them.

Claudia, that's hilarious that the sheriff told you to carry a gun. Amazing!

You also hit the nail on the head when you said, " ItÂs funny how neighbor get upset and mad at you when they have caused you a problem. DonÂt let him bully you into believing this is your problem only he can control his dogs and he knows that." Notice that I did not use the "b" word, but there are some elements of that kind of behavior. Example, DN acts angry and very inconvenienced by our wanting to discuss this. Wait a minute, we are the angry people here; he should be the apologetic one, not vice versa.

Update: I called Animal Control. They will not make any report without coming out to speak to the dogs' owner. I wasn't ready to put that in motion today, nor was DH. He will call our lawyer tomorrow and see what he recommends. It may be that there is another office that would be better to call. Then we can say, "On the advice of our attourny..." Let DN get mad at the attorney, LOL, instead of us.

Meanwhile, we are going ahead with the fencing.

Of course the Animal Control Department won't take a report without talking to the owner, here they are deputized and so when making an investigation they always record both sides of the story. In addition, if there are further problems, the owner has been notified by authorities while completing the report.

Here it's 3 strikes. Animals attack a person or other animals three times and they are put to sleep under the Dangerous Animal Act. In addition, here it is legal to shoot an animal that is attacking a person or livestock. That's not just for dogs, it's any animal including the neighbor's Brahma bull.

MAKE A REPORT!

Annie

OK, Annie, I will, lol. We faxed over a complete report to Animal Control this afternoon. I immediately felt better once it was done.

Our attorney (and good friend) also recommended making the report with AC. He also answered the question regarding our liability if we don't make the call and report the incident. It wouldn't apply in our case, but there is something called benign neglect. I.e., if we know of a dangerous situation and fail to fix it after several opportunities, we could be charged with something. For example, if we knew they were crossing our yard and going into another yard, which one neighbor has seen them do.

Thanks again for everyone's input. We hope within a few days to have an unclimbable fence between our yards and we will have the use of our backyard again.

OK, then, I feel better. (grin)

Nothing will be done unless you do it. I keep thinking about how awful it could be if it were a dog without the protection of their owner or a small child.

Annie

Aesthetically this may not be the best answer but could you run a wire a few inches above your fence with round PVC pipe threaded on the wire? As they scale your fence they will get to a something that can't allow leverage, just keeps going around. I saw this work for someone that stopped their own dogs from scaling their fence. I think they used 8 inch PVC pipe on the wire.