When your dog bites a neighbor’s dog, cat, chicken, goat, or other animal in the Philippines, the situation is usually both emotional and practical: the injured animal needs care, the neighbor may demand payment, the barangay may get involved, and you may worry that your dog will be seized or destroyed. Philippine law generally treats this as a civil liability and responsible pet ownership issue, with possible barangay, city veterinary, animal welfare, anti-rabies, and court consequences depending on what happened.

The most important thing is to act quickly, document everything, and separate the immediate veterinary/rabies concerns from the later question of who should pay.

The Basic Rule: The Dog’s Possessor Is Usually Responsible for Damage Caused by the Dog

Under Article 2183 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, the “possessor of an animal or whoever may make use of the same” is responsible for the damage the animal may cause, even if the animal escapes or gets lost. The responsibility stops only if the damage came from force majeure or from the fault of the person who suffered the damage. See the official text of the Civil Code, Article 2183.

In simple terms:

You do not have to be the registered owner to be liable.
The person who had custody, control, or use of the dog may be liable.
Liability may still arise even if the dog was usually friendly.
Liability may still arise even if the dog slipped out, escaped, or was temporarily out of control.
Liability may be reduced or avoided if the neighbor’s own fault caused the incident.

The Supreme Court applied this rule in Vestil v. Intermediate Appellate Court, where it emphasized that Article 2183 is concerned with possession or control of the dog, not merely technical ownership. The Court also said that the law is not limited to vicious animals; even a tame dog can create liability if it causes injury. See Vestil v. IAC, G.R. No. 74431, November 6, 1989.

For a neighbor’s animal, the usual claim is for property damage and related expenses. Under Philippine civil law, animals are generally treated as property for purposes of compensation, even if families understandably see pets as companions.

What You Should Do Immediately After the Bite

1. Separate the animals and prevent another attack

Secure your dog right away. Put your dog in a crate, room, leash, kennel, or enclosed area. Do not argue first. Do not chase the injured animal unless it is safe to do so.

If the injured animal is still moving around, help the neighbor contain it safely. A panicking dog or cat may bite people because of pain.

2. Check whether any person was bitten, scratched, or exposed to saliva

Even if the main incident was dog-to-animal, ask immediately:

Was any person bitten?
Was anyone scratched while separating the animals?
Did saliva touch an open wound, eye, mouth, or broken skin?
Did a child or helper try to intervene?

This matters because the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, Republic Act No. 9482, imposes specific duties on pet owners in dog-biting incidents, including reporting within 24 hours, placing the dog under observation, and assisting the bite victim. The law defines rabies transmission broadly, including exposure through virus-laden saliva on broken skin or mucous membranes. See the official text of RA 9482, Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.

If any person had possible rabies exposure, the human medical issue comes first. The person should go to an animal bite treatment center, hospital, rural health unit, or city health office as soon as possible.

3. Bring the injured animal to a veterinarian

For the neighbor’s animal, immediate veterinary care is important for two reasons:

It may save the animal’s life.
It creates proper records of the injury, treatment, cause, and cost.

Ask for:

Veterinary assessment or medical certificate
Photos of wounds before and after treatment
Itemized estimate or bill
Official receipts
Prescription and follow-up instructions
Rabies vaccination record, if available

If the animal dies, ask the veterinarian to document the likely cause of death. In disputed cases, a necropsy or written veterinary opinion may help, although many ordinary neighborhood disputes are settled without one.

4. Preserve evidence without escalating the fight

Take clear photos and videos of:

The place where the incident happened
The gate, fence, leash, cage, or point where the dog escaped
The injured animal’s visible wounds
Your dog’s condition
Any CCTV location
Any leash, harness, broken gate, open door, or hole in the fence
The distance between the properties

Get names and contact details of witnesses. Save chat messages. If there is CCTV from a neighbor, sari-sari store, guardhouse, condo lobby, subdivision gate, or barangay camera, request preservation quickly because many systems overwrite footage within days.

5. Report the incident to the barangay or proper local office

For practical purposes, report serious dog-bite incidents to the barangay and, where available, the city or municipal veterinary office. Some LGUs also have animal control, city pound, or veterinary inspection units.

A barangay blotter is not a court judgment, but it helps create a neutral record of:

Date and time of the incident
Place of incident
Names of parties
Initial statements
Visible injuries or damage
Agreement to bring the animal to a vet
Temporary handling of the dog

If a person was bitten or exposed, RA 9482 specifically requires pet owners to report dog-biting incidents within 24 hours to concerned officials and to place the dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian. Concerned officials include barangay officials, health workers, police officers, or government veterinarians under the law.

Who Is Legally Liable: Owner, Possessor, Walker, Helper, or Tenant?

Article 2183 focuses on the possessor or the person using the animal.

This means the potentially liable person may be:

Situation	Person likely responsible
You own and keep the dog at home	You, as owner/possessor
Your helper was walking the dog as part of household duties	You may still be pursued, and the helper’s actions may matter
Your child released the dog	The parents or household may face liability depending on facts
You were dog-sitting for a friend	You may be considered the temporary possessor or user
The dog belongs to a tenant but lives on rented property	Usually the tenant/keeper, not automatically the landlord
A guard dog belongs to a business	The business or person controlling the dog may be involved
The dog escaped from a boarding facility	The facility and/or owner may dispute who had control at the time

In Afialda v. Hisole, the Supreme Court explained that the possessor or user is liable because that person has custody and control of the animal and is in a position to prevent it from causing damage. See Afialda v. Hisole, G.R. No. L-2075, November 29, 1949.

What Expenses Can the Neighbor Reasonably Claim?

If your dog injured the neighbor’s animal, the claim should be based on actual, reasonable, and proven losses connected to the incident.

Under Article 2199 of the Civil Code, actual or compensatory damages require proof of pecuniary loss. Under Article 2202, in crimes and quasi-delicts, the defendant is liable for damages that are the natural and probable consequences of the act or omission.

Commonly claimable items include:

Claim	Usually reasonable if supported by proof
Emergency veterinary consultation	Yes
Wound cleaning, suturing, antibiotics, pain medication	Yes
Rabies-related animal assessment or quarantine costs	Yes, depending on facts and LGU process
Confinement, surgery, follow-up visits	Yes, if medically necessary
Transport to vet	Often reasonable if documented
Replacement value if animal dies	Possible, but must be proven
Lost value of livestock or breeding animal	Possible, with proof
Emotional distress over an injured pet	Not automatic; harder to recover
Punitive “penalty” demanded by neighbor	Not automatically valid unless based on law, ordinance, settlement, or court award

For pets, valuation can be difficult. A mixed-breed rescued cat may not have a high market price, but veterinary expenses may still be real and recoverable. A purebred dog, show animal, breeding animal, goat, cow, fighting cock, or poultry stock may involve higher claimed value, but proof matters.

Useful proof includes:

Purchase receipt or adoption papers
Veterinary records
Vaccination card
Photos before the incident
Breeder documents
Pedigree papers, if relevant
Proof of income from the animal, if claimed
Market price of similar animals
Official receipts for treatment

Are You Automatically Required to Pay Whatever the Neighbor Demands?

No. You should take responsibility where responsibility is clear, but payment should be based on reasonable proof.

A practical approach is to ask for:

The veterinary diagnosis.
An itemized estimate or bill.
Official receipts.
Photos or records tying the injury to the incident.
A written settlement if you will pay.

Avoid paying large amounts in cash without documentation. If you make a partial payment for emergency care, write clearly that it is an emergency assistance payment and that final settlement will depend on receipts and complete records.

A simple written acknowledgment can say:

Received from ______ the amount of ₱____ as initial assistance for veterinary treatment of ______ arising from the incident on ______. This amount shall be considered in any final settlement between the parties.

This avoids later confusion where the neighbor claims nothing was paid, or you claim the payment was full settlement when it was only emergency assistance.

Barangay Conciliation: What Usually Happens

Many neighbor disputes in the Philippines must pass through Katarungang Pambarangay, the barangay conciliation system under the Local Government Code of 1991, Republic Act No. 7160, before a court case is filed.

For disputes between individuals actually residing in the same city or municipality, barangay conciliation is generally a pre-condition before filing in court, unless an exception applies. The Supreme Court discussed this requirement and its consequences in Ngo v. Gabelo, citing Sections 409 and 412 of RA 7160. See Ngo v. Gabelo, G.R. No. 207707, August 24, 2020.

Where to file at the barangay

Usually:

If both parties live in the same barangay, the matter is brought before that barangay.
If the parties live in different barangays within the same city or municipality, venue is generally in the barangay where the respondent resides, at the complainant’s election.
If the parties live in different cities or municipalities, barangay conciliation may not be required unless the barangays adjoin and the parties agree.

What to bring to barangay mediation

Bring copies of:

Valid ID
Proof of residence
Barangay blotter, if any
Photos and videos
Vet certificate
Receipts and estimates
Vaccination card and dog registration record
Witness names
Written demand or messages
Proposed payment schedule, if settlement is possible

What the barangay can and cannot do

The barangay can help the parties settle. It can record a written agreement. It can issue a certification to file action if settlement fails and the case is covered by barangay conciliation.

But the barangay generally cannot:

Finally decide complex civil liability like a court judgment
Force payment without a valid settlement or legal process
Order an animal killed without proper legal and veterinary basis
Ignore city veterinary or health protocols in rabies-related matters

Put any settlement in writing

A barangay settlement should be specific:

Total amount
What expenses are covered
Payment deadline or installment dates
Who pays future vet follow-ups
Whether the agreement is full and final settlement
What happens if either side fails to comply
Whether both sides agree to avoid harassment, threats, or social media posting

Avoid vague wording like “bahala na sa vet bills” or “will pay later.” Those phrases often create new disputes.

When the City or Municipal Veterinary Office Gets Involved

The city or municipal veterinary office may get involved when:

The dog is unregistered or unvaccinated
The dog was roaming or unleashed in a public place
There is a rabies concern
The dog repeatedly attacks animals or people
Local ordinances require reporting, impounding, quarantine, or observation
The barangay refers the matter to animal control

RA 9482 requires LGUs to ensure dogs are immunized and registered, enforce impounding and field control of stray dogs, and ensure dogs are leashed or confined within the owner’s premises. The same law allows impounding of unregistered, stray, or unvaccinated dogs and imposes penalties for certain violations.

Important RA 9482 penalties include:

Violation under RA 9482	Possible consequence
Failure or refusal to register and immunize dog against rabies	₱2,000 fine
Refusal to vaccinate dog against rabies	Liability for vaccination of the dog and bitten individuals
Refusal to place biting dog under observation after biting an individual	₱10,000 fine
Refusal to place dog under observation and refusal to shoulder medical expenses of bitten person	₱25,000 fine
Refusal to leash dog when brought outside the house	₱500 fine per incident
Impounded dog release	Fine of at least ₱500 but not more than ₱1,000

These are national statutory penalties. Cities and municipalities may also have their own ordinances with additional registration, leash, muzzle, pound, and impounding rules.

Can Your Dog Be Impounded or Put Down?

Your dog is not automatically put down just because it bit another animal.

Possible outcomes include:

Home observation
Veterinary observation
Temporary impounding
Proof of rabies vaccination
Registration update
Payment of LGU fines
Warning or citation under local ordinance
Stricter confinement requirements

Euthanasia is usually tied to rabies control, severe public safety concerns, humane grounds, or legal/veterinary procedures. RA 9482 also prohibits electrocution as a euthanasia procedure.

If your dog is taken by animal control or the city pound, ask for:

Written notice or citation
Basis for impounding
Location of the pound
Claiming period
Required fees
Vaccination or registration requirements
Observation or quarantine instructions

Under RA 9482, impounded dogs not claimed after three days may be placed for adoption when feasible or otherwise disposed of in a manner authorized by law and subject to the Animal Welfare Act.

Animal Welfare Issues: Neglect, Cruelty, and Repeated Attacks

A single accidental bite incident is not automatically animal cruelty by the dog owner. However, the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, Republic Act No. 8485, as amended by RA 10631, may become relevant if there is cruelty, maltreatment, neglect, abandonment, or repeated irresponsible handling.

RA 10631 penalizes cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect, with penalties depending on whether the animal dies, is severely injured, or suffers maltreatment without death or severe incapacity. See RA 10631 amending the Animal Welfare Act.

Animal welfare concerns may arise if, for example:

A dog known to be aggressive is repeatedly allowed to roam.
The dog is kept in cruel conditions that increase aggression.
The owner abandons the dog after the incident.
The injured animal is intentionally denied urgent care.
Someone deliberately sets a dog on another animal.
The dog is beaten, poisoned, or harmed in retaliation.

Retaliation against the biting dog can also become a legal problem. The neighbor cannot simply poison, torture, or kill your dog because of the incident.

Can the Neighbor File a Criminal Complaint?

Most dog-bites-animal cases are handled as civil liability, barangay settlement, LGU ordinance enforcement, or veterinary/rabies matters.

A criminal angle may arise if the facts are more serious, such as:

You intentionally commanded or allowed your dog to attack the neighbor’s animal.
You used the dog to threaten or damage another person’s property.
You repeatedly allowed a dangerous dog to roam despite prior incidents.
A person was bitten or injured.
The incident involves cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect under animal welfare laws.
The facts support reckless imprudence or damage to property under the Revised Penal Code.

Under Article 327 of the Revised Penal Code, malicious mischief involves deliberately causing damage to another’s property. Under Article 365, reckless imprudence and negligence may apply where damage results from inexcusable lack of precaution. See the Revised Penal Code.

For an ordinary accidental dog scuffle between neighbors’ pets, police or prosecutors may still treat the matter primarily as civil or barangay-level. But if there is intent, serious negligence, human injury, repeated incidents, or violation of special laws, the risk becomes higher.

What If the Neighbor’s Animal Entered Your Property?

This is one of the most common real-life scenarios.

Examples:

A neighbor’s cat entered your yard and your dog bit it.
A neighbor’s chicken wandered into your property.
A neighbor’s unleashed dog ran to your gate and your dog attacked through the fence.
The neighbor opened your gate without permission.
The neighbor’s child teased or provoked your dog.

These facts matter because Article 2183 says responsibility ceases if the damage came from the fault of the person who suffered damage. Article 2179 of the Civil Code also recognizes that a plaintiff’s own negligence may bar or reduce recovery depending on whether it was the immediate cause or merely contributory.

This does not mean you are automatically free from liability just because the animal entered your property. The details matter:

Scenario	Possible effect
Neighbor’s animal entered a secure private yard without permission	Strong defense or basis to reduce liability
Your gate was open and your dog ran out to attack	Liability more likely
Neighbor’s dog was unleashed in a public road	Neighbor’s fault may reduce or defeat claim
Your dog attacked through a defective fence you failed to repair	Liability still possible
Neighbor intentionally provoked the dog	Strong defense if proven
Both animals were loose in the street	Shared fault may be argued

The practical question is: Who had the better ability to prevent the incident, and whose conduct directly caused the damage?

What If Your Dog Was Unleashed or Roaming Outside?

This is a serious weakness in your position.

RA 9482 requires pet owners to maintain control over their dogs and not allow them to roam the streets or any public place without a leash. LGUs are also required to ensure dogs are leashed or confined within the owner’s premises.

If your dog was loose in the road, subdivision street, condo hallway, public park, market, barangay alley, farm road, or common area, expect the neighbor to argue that you failed responsible pet ownership duties.

Common evidence against the dog owner includes:

CCTV showing the dog roaming
Barangay records of previous complaints
Prior bite incidents
Lack of rabies vaccination
Lack of dog registration
Broken or inadequate gate
Witnesses saying the dog is often loose
Photos of the dog outside the property unattended

Repeated roaming can also lead to impounding and stronger LGU action.

What If Both Animals Were Dogs and Both Were Unleashed?

If both dogs were off-leash, liability may be shared or disputed.

The key facts include:

Which dog approached first?
Which dog was in a public place?
Which dog was on private property?
Which dog was under effective control?
Which dog caused the actual wounds?
Were there prior aggression issues?
Did either handler fail to pull away or restrain the dog?
Did one dog provoke, attack, or chase the other?

In settlement, parties sometimes agree to split veterinary expenses. A split does not always mean equal legal liability; it may simply be a practical compromise to end the dispute.

Special Considerations for Foreigners and Expats in the Philippines

Foreigners who keep dogs in the Philippines are generally subject to the same civil, barangay, LGU, anti-rabies, and animal welfare rules as Filipino residents.

Practical points for foreigners:

Barangay conciliation may still apply if you actually reside in the same city or municipality as the neighbor.
Bring a valid passport, ACR I-Card if applicable, lease contract, or proof of local address to barangay proceedings.
If your dog’s vaccination records are from abroad, keep copies and be ready to show local veterinary updates.
Some imported vaccination records may not satisfy LGU registration requirements unless recognized by the local veterinary office.
If documents are from abroad and later needed in formal proceedings, authentication or apostille may become relevant, depending on the document and purpose.
RA 9482 states that if a violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be deported after service of sentence. RA 10631 contains a similar deportation consequence for an alien convicted under the Animal Welfare Act. This is not triggered by every neighborhood civil dispute, but it is a serious reason to comply with rabies, animal welfare, and court processes.

For most expats, the practical risk is not deportation from a simple civil settlement. The bigger immediate risks are barangay conflict, LGU penalties, unpaid veterinary claims, and possible escalation if the dog is unregistered, unvaccinated, repeatedly loose, or involved in a human bite.

Documents to Prepare

Purpose	Documents or evidence
Immediate incident record	Photos, videos, CCTV, witness names, barangay blotter
Dog ownership/control	Vaccination card, dog registration, adoption or purchase records, photos
Rabies compliance	Anti-rabies vaccine record, city vet registration, dog tag
Veterinary expense review	Vet certificate, diagnosis, itemized bill, official receipts
Settlement	Written agreement, acknowledgment receipt, payment schedule
Defense	Proof neighbor’s animal entered property, damaged gate, witness statements, CCTV
Court or formal complaint	Demand letter, barangay certification to file action, affidavits, receipts, vet records

Keep originals. Give photocopies or digital copies when possible.

Practical Settlement Options

Most neighbor animal-bite disputes should be resolved quickly if both sides can stay factual.

Possible settlement terms include:

Full reimbursement of veterinary bills Best when liability is clear and expenses are reasonable.
Partial reimbursement Useful when both animals were loose, the injured animal entered private property, or the bills include unrelated treatment.
Emergency payment plus final accounting Useful when the injured animal still needs follow-up treatment.
Installment payment Common if the bill is large and the dog owner cannot pay immediately.
Non-monetary terms Examples: repair the gate, keep dog leashed, install fencing, muzzle in common areas, update vaccination, avoid walking at certain times.
Full and final settlement Best when all bills are known and both sides want closure.

A good settlement should answer these questions:

Is the amount final or only partial?
Are future vet visits included?
When will payment be made?
What happens if new complications appear?
Will the neighbor waive further claims after full payment?
Will both parties stop posting or accusing each other publicly?
Will the dog owner take specific prevention measures?

When the Dispute Goes Beyond the Barangay

If no settlement is reached, the next step depends on the nature and amount of the claim.

For ordinary civil claims, court jurisdiction depends on the amount and type of action. Under RA 11576, first-level courts such as the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts have expanded jurisdiction over many civil actions involving personal property or money claims not exceeding ₱2,000,000, while higher amounts generally go to the Regional Trial Court. See RA 11576.

Small claims procedure is not always the correct route for a dog-bite animal injury case because small claims coverage is specific. The Supreme Court’s Rules on Expedited Procedures cover small claims up to ₱1,000,000, but typically for claims arising from contracts such as lease, loan, services, sale of personal property, and enforcement of barangay settlements or arbitration awards. If the barangay settlement states a definite amount and one party fails to pay, enforcement of that settlement may be treated differently from the original tort dispute.

In practice, many people avoid court because the veterinary bill may be lower than the time, stress, and filing costs. However, court becomes more likely when:

The injured animal died and the claimed value is high.
A breeding, show, or livestock animal was involved.
The biting dog has repeated incidents.
One side refuses barangay proceedings.
There are threats, harassment, or social media accusations.
A person was also bitten.
The parties cannot agree on fault or amount.

Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make After an Animal Bite Incident

Ignoring the incident because “it was only an animal”

This is a mistake. The neighbor’s animal may be legally compensable property, and the incident may involve rabies or local ordinance duties.

Paying without receipts or written terms

Cash payments without acknowledgment often lead to later disputes. Always document payment.

Admitting more than you know

It is okay to say, “I’m sorry this happened, let’s get your pet treated.” Avoid making broad admissions like, “I will pay anything forever,” before seeing records.

Refusing to show vaccination records

This escalates fear. Showing updated rabies vaccination records often calms the situation.

Hiding the dog

If a human was exposed or the LGU requires observation, hiding the dog can create bigger legal trouble.

Posting about the neighbor online

Public accusations can create defamation, privacy, or harassment problems. Keep the dispute in barangay, veterinary, LGU, or proper legal channels.

Letting the dog roam again

A second incident is much harder to explain. Repair the fence, use a leash, reinforce gates, and avoid known triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I liable if my dog bites my neighbor’s dog in the Philippines?

Usually, yes, if you were the owner, possessor, or person controlling the dog and the neighbor can prove damage. Article 2183 of the Civil Code makes the possessor or user of an animal responsible for damage caused by it, even if it escaped or got lost. But liability may be reduced or avoided if the neighbor’s own fault caused the incident.

What if my dog bit a neighbor’s cat inside my own yard?

That may be a strong defense, especially if the cat entered your enclosed private property and your dog was properly confined. Still, the facts matter. If your fence was unsafe, your dog could reach outside, or you knew there was a recurring risk and did nothing, the neighbor may still argue negligence.

Do I have to pay the vet bills immediately?

Emergency help is often the practical and neighborly thing to do, but legally the amount should be reasonable, documented, and connected to the bite. Ask for the veterinary certificate, itemized bill, and receipts. If you make an emergency payment, document whether it is partial assistance or full settlement.

Can the barangay force me to pay?

The barangay can mediate and record a settlement. It does not usually issue a court-like judgment on disputed civil liability. If you voluntarily sign a barangay settlement, however, that written settlement can have legal consequences and may later be enforced.

Can my dog be taken by the pound after biting another animal?

Possibly, depending on local ordinances, vaccination status, registration, roaming, rabies risk, and whether there were prior incidents. Unregistered, stray, or unvaccinated dogs are more likely to be impounded. Ask for the written basis, pound location, claiming period, and requirements for release.

What if my dog is vaccinated against rabies?

Vaccination helps a lot, but it does not erase civil liability for the injured animal’s vet bills. It may reduce rabies-related concerns and may help avoid harsher LGU action, but you still need to control your dog and address the damage caused.

Can my neighbor demand moral damages because their pet was hurt?

Not automatically. Philippine law allows moral damages only in specific situations. For injury to property, moral damages are generally harder to recover unless there is willful injury, bad faith, or another recognized legal basis. In most ordinary cases, the stronger claim is for actual veterinary expenses and proven value of the animal if it died.

What if my helper or dog walker was holding the leash when the bite happened?

The injured neighbor may still pursue the owner or household depending on who had custody, control, and responsibility for the dog. The helper’s or walker’s negligence may also matter. If the walker is a professional service, their own responsibility may be examined.

Can the neighbor file a police complaint?

The neighbor may try, especially if there was intentional conduct, serious negligence, human injury, repeated incidents, or animal welfare issues. Many ordinary dog-on-animal incidents are handled through barangay settlement and civil compensation, but criminal exposure is possible in more serious facts.

What if I am a foreigner living in the Philippines?

You are subject to Philippine civil law, barangay procedure, LGU ordinances, anti-rabies rules, and animal welfare laws. Bring identification and local address proof to barangay or LGU proceedings. Deportation language exists in RA 9482 and RA 10631 for aliens who commit covered violations after service of sentence, but a simple civil settlement over vet bills is different from a criminal conviction.

Key Takeaways

Under Article 2183 of the Civil Code, the possessor or user of a dog is generally responsible for damage the dog causes.
The neighbor can usually claim reasonable and proven veterinary expenses, and possibly the proven value of the animal if it dies.
RA 9482 requires responsible pet ownership, rabies vaccination, registration, leash control, reporting of dog-biting incidents involving people, and observation of biting dogs.
Report serious incidents to the barangay and, when appropriate, the city or municipal veterinary office.
Barangay conciliation is often required before court action when the parties are individuals residing in the same city or municipality.
Do not pay large amounts without vet records, receipts, and a written settlement.
Liability may be reduced or avoided if the neighbor’s animal entered your property, was unleashed, or the neighbor caused the incident.
Keep your dog vaccinated, registered, leashed, and securely confined to prevent both legal liability and harm to animals or people.