HELP! Neighbors dog killed my yorkie yesterday.

[abbey lee]

I am in desperate need of some advice. I have been away from the community for a while but something happened yesterday. I came home from work around 4pm and opened the door to see a strange and vicious looking dog IN MY HOUSE. I immediately shut the door out of fear and called my Mom to see if she knew who this dog was in the house. She didn't answer so I decided to go in bc my 2 other dogs were in there (Brownie, a larger sized husky and Minnie, my 14 year old yorkie) (Thankfully, I had my younger yorkie, Abbey with me so she was not in the house) As I walked in the dog growled at me and that's when I saw it. Minnie was bloody and dead on the living room floor!

I will never forget this image.

Our other dog was not harmed. I immediately shooed the strange dog out to the backyard. I was screaming and crying and hysterical. Shorty after, my Dad came home and recognized the dog as the new neighbors dog.

He angrily went over and screamed at the neighbors and they came and took the dog. The neighbor said he KNEW the dog was VICIOUS and he KNEW it jumped the fence!!!!!!!! Turns out the dog had jumped the fence into our backyard and came IN the house through our dog door and killed Minnie in the house. Our Minnie was 14 years old and did not deserve to die in that kind of brutual way! I KNOW she was in pain and I KNOW she was scared.

We immediately called the police and they send animal control. Animal control said they could do NOTHING because the dog only hurt another dog and did not hurt any humans. After much coaxing though the neighbors agreed to have the dog put down. It was a chow mix and was incredibly mean and vicious.

Our family is heartbroken beyond words. I need advice bc even though the dog was taken and put to sleep I still feel no justice. We want to sue these people but animal control and the local police don't seem to care at all that this animal invaded our house and killed a family member.

We are scared now bc these same neighbors have another dog the same breed and size as the one that killed Minnie. But they SAY this one is "nice."
We are living in fear bc we have 2 other dogs.

Nothing will bring our beautiful Minnie back, but we can't sleep, eat having to live next to these poeple!

The are new to the neighborhood (we have lived there 20 years) and they are renters. They don't take care of the house and obviously neglected these dogs. The NEVER apologized or offered to help us clean up the scene. Our dog is gone, our living room was destroyed, and we are having Minnie cremated. I feel they should have atleast off to help clean up and help remove her body as we were inconsolable b ut they have said NOTHING.

Please help, what can we do!!

[tortoisekeeper]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how terrible it is to lose a beloved pet. I would call the owner of the house and let them know what is happening and tell them these people are not securing their dogs and you are afraid for the welfare of your other dogs. You may be able to take them to small claims court. I know it won't bring your baby back but it might help you feel some justice was done.

[cliffick]

I am so sorry for your horrible loss! I wish I had some advice, but I am completely in disbelief!!!

[Arzel36]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[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.

[lovespandp]

I am so sorry for what had to go through.. and I am so sorry what happened to Minne...That is horrible

Maybe you can get a list of people on your street that say the dog is agressive? I don't know..How did the dog get into your house? I am sure if we put our heads together we can think of something..I believe something has to be done..

[cynsir]

Oh, how horrible. I'm so sorry for your loss. You might have to block the doggy door so they can't get in until your horrible neighbors move.

[Moose1215]

oh my gosh, that is the most horrible thing to ever happen! I feel so sorry for your loss! I think you should sue them, because, if they saw the dog jump into your yard, they should have gotten it out. And second, if they knew you had dogs, and the dog that killed minnie was vicious, that is known as a "doggy murder", which is illegal underneath the ASPCA sercomstances! You SHOULD SUE them!!!

Rest in peace- Minnie, she was a wonderful dog

[mollie jade]

I am so sorry for your loss .

[megansmomma]

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 post!

Let me add that I believe that a homeowners policy would cover the bill and if the renter does not want to pay up possibly the landlord? I really like the idea of submitting the bill to the landlord as well, they (usually) never like to have problem tenants that disrupt the peace or safety of the neighborhood.

I am so very sorry that such a disturbingly horrible thing happened to you ending the life of your beloved baby.

[amandawash]

Oh.My.God. My heart is breaking for you and your family. When tragedies like this happen, the words "It's just not fair" circle through my head, like I am sure they are circling through yours.

I am not usually an advocate for litigation, but in this case, I certainly would seek monetary compensation for the cleaning costs, the cremation and the cost to replace your baby girl, when the time is right.

I cannot even express words right now, just please know that you are in my thoughts. While it doesn't make things right or less horrible, thank God you had your other yorkie with you. The violent loss of both of them would have been too much for anyone to bear.

[Karrie]

OMG - what a terrible occurance.

I'm afraid that I would feel the same way. I would need more justice. Financially, you may have recourse with the neighbor's homeowner's insurance? You can check with your own agent for advice before incurring the expense of an attorney - although you will probably need an attorney to pursue a claim.

[Pipsioka]

Tears are flowing down my face...I have NEVER heard of anything soooo horrible. I don't care who says what I would call a lawyer!!! and no, I have never sued anyone in my life...I am sooo sorry.

[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.

[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.