I don’t understand how this happens a dog that has a history of biting is a huge liability for the owner. I was visiting my brother and their neighbors dog bit my daughter instead if complaining I retained an attorney an sued them. They settled real quickly on a scheduled settlement day, they paid a nice settlement plus attorney fees plus ad litum attorney fees. My daughter was about 5 when this happened and got the settlement when she turned 18. It was gratify and my brothers punk*** neighbor did not know what hit him.

It did like hell to catch that dog and beat it to death but the end was almost as satisfying.

So, you'd have to get bit to reap this windfall? OUCH !

I agree with the premise of not having an animal that can heap liability upon yourself though.

You have warned the owner, it is on him to correct his problem now. Do not feel bad about having to put down a dangerous animal because its owner can't or won't. It is the owner's responsibility to keep his dog in check. Bad dogs don't get very old in Texas

The Health and Safety Code (I believe it’s chapter 822?) has some interesting statutes that apply. Next incident should be reported to police, and make sure the responding officer is aware of the statutes that apply. Unfortunately, most officers don’t get much exposure to codes other than the Penal and Transportation Codes; there are just too many laws on the books. Animal control or code enforcement officers are normally the only ones who work out of that code. But there are statutes dealing with your issue that LE and the courts can use. Good luck!

Another vote for wasp spray. Once your dog enters my property, it's open season.

Thanks for all the comments; I knew that the responses would run the gamut but I wanted to make sure I was considering all the options. The pepper/bear spray was something I did not think about but it does seem to offer both an effective and a "lesson learned" step that the dog will probably never forget and, if not, I can tell myself that I did everything I could before putting one between his eyes.

I am 72 so no spring chicken but I have learned enough to know that you cannot show fear or weakness towards any animal, especially a domestic one that is used to being around people. My friend, who was 80 at the time, had his pinky finger and half of his ring finger taken off by a Lab when they were visiting friends. When that happened, I vowed I would never let a dog bite me and I am very cautious around them.

With that said, the people across the street have a couple of kids and I don't want to shoot their dog and create grief for the kids because of something their father caused by not keep the dog in check. My next plan is to carry my cell with me in front and to have a can of long distance bear/pepper spray handy outside. If the dog runs home under the effect of the spray I will tell the guy next time it will be a bullet between the eyes.

If the dog comes after my wife, I will not bother with the spray.

As MarcM64 said, there is something about East Texas that makes folks not take care of their animals. This is the third neighbor (two next door and one across the street) that have no idea of being responsible. There is one guy two doors down who has a makeshift kennel out back with 6 dogs in it and I have never seen them let out to run. The bark 24/7 and their treatment is like prison at best and cruelty at worst. My daddy taught me that animals are animals, but a good man treats his animals with decency and respect and that, if you don't want to exercise them or hunt with them, don't ever have one. Evidently these people had different daddies.

What happens when you spray that dog and runs home crying to the neighbors kid. Getting wasp spray or bear spray on the neighbor's kid is a lawsuit and probably jail time.

I'd set some #3 offset jaw traps in my yard and wait. They will not hurt that dog but I bet it will let put some mighty loud yelps when caught.

can o alpo and about 5# of tannerite for a 45# pooch, tell them he must have bit the gas line.

I was kidding!

That is how we handle jihadists now too.

wasp spray in the eyes does wonders to a bad dog

Have you tried giving it a pupporoni or a dog biscuit?