hi guys hope you can help me out here..
2 weeks ago my jack russell got attacked by a neighbours dog, my dog was in her own garden, a few feet from my front door..this dog is known around were i live for attacking and running for people, anyway this neighbours dog had escaped the garden ,which was a regular thing...and come into my property(garden) and attacked her, leaving her with a dislocated shoulder and minor cuts, the house were it resides is not the true owners, it lives with an 83 yr old lady,but its her nephews dog, she says she looks after it while he works,
anyway i paid an hefty vet bill, i have all invoices of injuries , i have posted them to the lady s house along with a letter stating i would like my money back for vet fees otherwise taking it to small claims
now this 83 yr old woman is denying everything , and said if it did it must of been 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other, this dog has run for people visiting on my street, it also has tried to bite her neighbour who was pegging out her washing one day
today i had an hand posted letter from the owner of the dog that attacked mine, basically saying dogs will be dogs ,my dog has been there longer than mine bla bla, and says that i had been seen walking my dog a few days after the incident...which is totally not true she had her arm slung up for 2 weeks and said if you would like to take it to small claims, feel free to do so
i am going to persue this ....how do i stand with this

Did anyone except you see the attack ?
Do you have any proof that it was this dog who was responsible. I'm not doubting your word at all, but they might be able to wriggle out of it if you can't prove that it was their dog. Your word alone probably wouldn't be enough in a court of law.

I suggest you seek the advice of a solicitor - it sounds quite complicated.

yes there was many people came running as my dog was yelping,

If you have a number of different people who saw the attack then I would definitely go to a solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Your poor doggie!

Are you insured? Your insurance company may be able to persue the dogs owner.

At least the letters acknowledge that there was a fight, together with eye witness accounts, you should have a good case, but these things are never easy to sort out.

Perhaps also contact your local dog warden through the council, they should be able to help and advise and probably pay a visit to the dogs owners and warn them about the dogs behaviour (even take it away)

Depending on where you live you could call the police, in Scotland  it's now an offence if the attack takes place on private property, where as in England and Wales it's still a civil matter.

Well the dog that attacked was in a public place and came onto private property.