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Jumping Frog wrote:Regarding http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... /B/822.013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Note that (c) includes "The owner of the dog or coyote is liable for all costs incurred in the capture and care of the dog or coyote and all damage done by the dog or coyote.".

They are liable to you for any costs associated with treating your dog.

I'd send them a certified letter, return receipt requested, saying you'd like to resolve this in a friendly fashion and avoid incurring additional costs. Enclose a copy of the vet bill for your dog, as well as a copy of the statute, and let them know you expect payment.

If they don't pay, it is a slam dunk in small claims court. Of course, then they are liable for more money because you have court costs to be reimbursed for.

skip62 wrote:The guy told another neighbor that they are going to sue me and went on and on about how expensive the mastif was and that he was going to bread him, and it I shouldn't have shot them.

Including a copy of the statute in the above letter will also point out to them that you are not liable for any costs to them. If you want, you can also directly state that in the letter.

skip62 wrote:He feels no responsiblity for this and that's what upsets me. We are willing to let things go, our dog is wounded, there's are wounded, but living.

Too bad the dogs weren't killed. They'll just continue to be a problem.

skip62 wrote:I won't go into details in writing, but the dogs attacked my brothers dog(golden-doodle, off leash too,, but he a hold of his collar), we got them seperated, I went to get my brothers dog that walked 150' down, and the women let go of the dogs, and the rotty, and mastif were charging right for me. I didn't have a shot without possibly hitting the women behind them, the rotty knocked me down

First, you were very lucky not to get bitten trying to separate the dogs. Second, when the lady released the dogs, they also attacked you. I'd press for criminal charges against the lady.

matriculated wrote:Wow, to the OP, so sad you had to do that. But you did what you had to do. I own 3 dogs and know how I feel about them. If someone or something, human or animal, tried to injure my dogs I would go Terminator on the offending party and quick. Of course every situation is different and I would take circumstances into account. For example, if another dog attacked two of my smaller dogs as I was walking them, I would have a much shorter threshold on when and how much force to use. Those two small things don't stand a chance in a fight and would be killed within a matter of seconds. My bigger dog, while she doesn't have a fighting bone in her body, could probably take a bite or two and still live, so I would be slightly more judicious in my use of force (but not much). I don't appreciate aggressive dogs being off leash. I actually don't mind benign dogs that are just curious, but the owner has to know if his dogs are aggressive, and if they are, take precautions with them. This is one of the reasons I stopped taking my dogs to the dog park. Last time I went, there were these 2 obviously aggressive pitbulls that were almost fighting with each other, growling, hair standing up and everything, and I just thought why in the world are these 2 dogs here off leash with all the other dogs (peaceful labs, some smaller dogs, my dog). I put a leash on my dog and never went back there.