Neighbors Dog Attacked Mine Twice. Neighbor Wants To Sue Me.

Location: Bryan, Texas.

I own a 4 year old American Pit Bull Terrier. He’s not the most well socialized dog in the world, as I got him after he was a puppy and his previous owner didn’t spend enough time with him. With humans he just has a bit too much playful energy for how big he is, but with other animals he’s completely unpredictable.

It’s for this reason that I’ve always kept him on a leash AND harness every time we’ve gone for walks in the 3 years I’ve had him.

My neighbor that lives two buildings down from me owns two Xl Bullies who are NEVER leashed when outside.

Last week while on an afternoon walk, me and Z (my dog) were approached by the male XL Bully. Obviously they ended up getting a hold of each other, and a guy who lives with the dogs owners walks up and helps me get the dogs apart. After the incident the neighbors came knocking at my door begging me not to report the incident. After we found out both of the dogs didn’t have any injuries we figured no harm no foul. (Big mistake I know)

Well about 3 or 4 days after the fact, me and Z get up to take our morning walk. On our way back home BOTH of the XL Bullies (who were outside in sub 30 degree weather completely unattended) ran up on us. I started yelling and screaming at the dogs to go away, at which point the female did walk away. But the male locked onto my dog again.

Completely in a panic and with nobody in sight to come help me I started kicking the dog in his side to try to get him to let go of my dog. That didn’t work so I stopped and it was at this point the same neighbor from last time came outside. He walked up and pried my dog’s jaws open, at which point my dog bit his finger.

After we got the dogs separated I actually called animal control and reported the incident. It ended with animal control putting my dog on a 10 day, at home quarantine.

While out there with the officer my neighbor stated a few things. 1. He’s not the owner of the dogs 2. The owner is schizo and off her meds and decided to let the dogs out and leave them outside overnight.

Animal control decided to cut them a break because “it sounds like they have a rough situation at home.” Also he said he couldn’t do anything until the next time my dog is attacked.

Anyway, this morning I was taking Z on his morning walk. (Animal control said I could still walk him as long as I keep him away from people and animals) The same neighbor as before (who said he’s not the owner) came outside saying that he was going to sue me because the other dog ended up dying due to “injuries to his abdomen”.

What I wanna know is does this guy have a leg to stand on? In my mind it seems pretty clear that this all could’ve been avoided if they had been responsible pet owners. But what does the law think in this kind of situation? Thanks in advance to anyone reading this.