Fence laws and dogs.

[Unicorn Jeff]

Same with a pool, if a kid "accidentally" gets into your yard, and dies in your pool, then the homeowner can be sued. Which is complete BS if you ask me.

Where are the parents/owners, and their accountability?

Yup, it's pretty fucking stupid.

[80coupe]

I had a german shepherd that was very protective nobody could go in the backyard but us or you were gonna be lunch. The little neighborhood kids would mess with him at the fence he would either try to jump clear over the thing or punch planks out with his nose by think god he never got anything but some possum and squirrel that he would lay on the lay porch like he did something good. Got out one time the only way my dad could get him to stop is run him over with truck lol he was fine after that by the way.

[ceyko]

Cats should not be outdoor pets, IMO. I had a neighbor with 2 outdoor cats and they were in my yard as much as theirs..

In our new place we now maintain an existing outside cat and a few others do as well. They are fixed of course so there are not a million cats. Helpful for rodent control. My point generally is just like working dogs, there are purposes for outside cats. It's one cool cat though, not like the usual anti-social dipshit cats that I personally hate.

OP, first of all - I would not even THINK about trying to blame someone else for letting my animal go where it was not supposed to go. Different story if their animal came into your yard...regardless of fence ownership.

It's a crappy situation, but it is what it is..

[Sleeper]

Wireless fence one foot from the actual fence. The dog will get zapped a few times, but will learn quickly.

[Chas_svo]

Cats should not be outdoor pets, IMO. I had a neighbor with 2 outdoor cats and they were in my yard as much as theirs..

They have to shit somewhere. I'm just giving you crap, as that is why I hate cats. Kill'em all.

[zemog]

unless they are like my former pit/rot, and would just plow thru the "force field" and keep on a truckin, what a waist of money (on the fence), even my little dogs would just blow thru it after a few attempts

[Lone Sailor]

Wireless fence one foot from the actual fence. The dog will get zapped a few times, but will learn quickly.

^This.

[71chevellejohn]

waste not waist

[Big A]

Wireless fence one foot from the actual fence. The dog will get zapped a few times, but will learn quickly.

Which goes back to owner responsibility. Keep your dog from places that it shouldn't be.

Had the incident happened in your parents yard, you have every right to shoot the fucker.

[Chili]

I respectfully disagree. Had the owner not allowed their dog into danger, no harm no foul.

If your kid hops the fence, and nose dives into the Grand Canyon (heaven forbid), are you going to sue the state of Arizona, because it happened there?

That analogy is apples to oranges. It is my responsibility to keep care and control over my animals. So even if the fence is 100% the responsibility of the neighbor, they have no obligation to keep my dog out of their yard, their obligation is to keep theirs in. And if my dog is in their yard, well dogs are gonna do what dogs do, protect their home.

The OP's parents (sorry, not trying to kick you when your family is down) had every ability to take steps necessary on their own side to ensure their dog did not leave their property. Set up a dog run for theirs, build a fence on their own side, or at a minimum check the yard to ensure their dog could not get out. This is especially true with small dogs since it does not take much for them to escape.

Of course I kinda wonder why we are debating when we both believe that OP's parents are stuck with the bill.

That is all assuming there are not specific city codes or HOA rules that would be applicable.

OP - That's where I'd start. They need to read over HOA rules, if they have one, then check with Code Enforcement and / or animal control. If it turns out the neighbor was in violation of any of those take them to small claims court if they refuse to pay.

[Chili]

Castle doctrine. Once you step foot on my property, you have no rights, other than to leave.

I had a different understanding of Castle Doctrine, and wouldn't think it would apply if this were a kid. Homeowners' insurance regularly pays claims for injuries of people that don't live in a house.

Same with a pool, if a kid "accidentally" gets into your yard, and dies in your pool, then the homeowner can be sued. Which is complete BS if you ask me.

That actually can vary from state to state. California has very specific codes / laws regarding swimming pool safety. Including redundant fences around the swimming area with very specific height and latching / locking requirements. If those are all in place and bypassed I think you have a shot of avoiding personal liability. Though stuff like that rarely makes it to judgement because your Homeowners insurance and / or personal liability insurance would likely settle. Of course I am no expert, this is just based on my understanding after helping my brother research the issue when he had his first pool installed as he acted as his own General Contractor. When he put in that first pool is also when he chose to supplement his homeowner's policy with separate personal liability insurance.

In our new place we now maintain an existing outside cat and a few others do as well. They are fixed of course so there are not a million cats. Helpful for rodent control. My point generally is just like working dogs, there are purposes for outside cats. It's one cool cat though, not like the usual anti-social dipshit cats that I personally hate.

That is not a simple pet IMO, that is a functional working animal. My dad has lived in the country for probably 30 years and has almost always kept an outdoor cat for the same reason. I was more lamenting about my neighborhood. Although, it is pretty wooded here so an outdoor cat might also have some use, but the neighbors that have / had them surely weren't thinking about that.

[Nash B.]

Castle doctrine. Once you step foot on my property, you have no rights, other than to leave.

That's not how it works.

[71chevellejohn]

That's not how it works.

It is once you plant a gun in the purp's hand!

[Big A]

That analogy is apples to oranges. It is my responsibility to keep care and control over my animals. So even if the fence is 100% the responsibility of the neighbor, they have no obligation to keep my dog out of their yard, their obligation is to keep theirs in. And if my dog is in their yard, well dogs are gonna do what dogs do, protect their home.

The OP's parents (sorry, not trying to kick you when your family is down) had every ability to take steps necessary on their own side to ensure their dog did not leave their property. Set up a dog run for theirs, build a fence on their own side, or at a minimum check the yard to ensure their dog could not get out. This is especially true with small dogs since it does not take much for them to escape.

Of course I kinda wonder why we are debating when we both believe that OP's parents are stuck with the bill.

That is all assuming there are not specific city codes or HOA rules that would be applicable.

OP - That's where I'd start. They need to read over HOA rules, if they have one, then check with Code Enforcement and / or animal control. If it turns out the neighbor was in violation of any of those take them to small claims court if they refuse to pay.

You just agreed with me, it's the dog owners responsibility.

It is my responsibility to keep care and control over my animals.

[Dan03mach]

If your dog gets on their property and gets eaten up then they are not liable for your dog going onto their property...