Ellettsville, IN asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana

Q: My dog was attacked by neighbor's dogs THROUGH my fence. Neighbor has failed to respond to certified letter and copy

left on their door - to have their homeowner's contact me. I believe they are ignorant of the fact that they are probably liable. (my dog weighs 7 lbs, is quiet and sweet, and they have four dogs (a mastiff and two large boxers among them) left unattended many hours every day - which have formed a pack with an aggressive alpha. They've been reported, and I've spoken to neighbor before. They have no fence on our side and use ours instead. I never dreamed this could happen - my sister was in the yard but didn't realize what was happening because the dogs bark violently at everything. It took my dog a month and 4800$ to recover. We are suffering with guilt and depression. I don't want to re-live this experience in sm claim but neighbor has been unresponsive to requests for insurance to contact me. Do I write again to impress upon them their risk of loss? Would rather deal with insurance - can I find out their carrier some other way?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Paul Stanko
Paul Stanko
Answered
  • Plymouth, IN
  • Licensed in Indiana

A: As much as you may hate to resort to a lawyer in a neighbor dispute, you may have no alternative. Consult an attorney who handles civil cases in your local community. Make clear your desire to handle matters in an amicable way. As a dog "owner" myself, I feel your pain. An attorney can be more assertive in communicating with your neighbors, without being unnecessarily aggressive to the point of provoking litigation.

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