Wow, what a shame, and what a travesty.

As someone who has actually been an insurance claims investigator for over a decade, and adjusted property claims (including many no telling how many dog bite cases), your neighbor is 100 liable for this problem. They are the ones who failed to confine their animal. Their animal was the one who came to your property. And, unless they have information/witnesses to the contrary, for all anyone knows their dog initiated the first growl or bite.

It is ridiculous to try to ascribe "morality" to animals or to judge them as "people" who make moral choices. Dogs are predators, nothing more, and the people who choose to own "domesticated predators" are required by law to confine them to their own premises. People who fail to confine their predators are responsible for any damage they do whilst roaming about. This merely sounds like a case of one predator (your neighbor's) being on the wrong side of the food chain when it ran into your predator, who was properly and legally on his own property, and that poor "bear" proved to be nothing more than a mouse

Regarding the unfortunate situation of your dogs being impounded, I don't pretend to know the laws in your state/county/city, but animal control in many places have NO right to come into your home/yard without a warrant.

I also don't know if you have turned this matter over to your insurance company, but you should. This is merely a "property damage" claim, as dogs are nothing but property, so there really isn't much to "sue" for here on either end.

But as far as who is responsible for Bear's being on your property, and being in a position to get injured, Bear's owner is the author of his/her own misfortune. And any competent investigator would conclude the same thing.

Good luck to you on getting your dogs back.

Well we have not gotten them back yet and on Tuesday I am hiring an animal behavorist to look at my dogs. I was told they were guilty until proven innocent. I spoke with my attorney and he said I have to options the first let things take it course at the appeal and the second is file a lawsuit against the city, animal control, the witness, and the dog owner. At this time in our lives my wife and I can't possibly afford to do the second. The hearing is Wednesday. Our lives have been hell since this came about all because of an irresposible pet owner that relly did'nt give a crap about their dog. I think about my dogs every second of the day and the hell they are going thru.

The witness is very partial to Bear's owners and her story just doesnt add up. She said all this a couple of days later and I think she is goofy. She is very close to the other people. No she did not show much concern for bear at all if what she says is true. We live in Iowa. My wife was the one that took bear to the vet.

As I am very involved with the American Pit Bull Terrier breed having AC called is something that is all too well known to many people of this breed. So a post was started on another forum on what to do if AC comes calling. Here is the link :

http://www.pitbullforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=61733

It may be too late in this situation to do some of this but many in this breed have found these tips work wonderfully to keep your dog from being taken.

I am so sorry for all you are going through. Keep fighting!

Here is Chloe

Well we had our hearing yesterday at the Police station. We were the last to testify and I went armed with letters and I also had a report from a dog behaviorist. We went in thinking the worst and had our say and the end result is we are getting Bailey and Chloe back and they are free of all charges. The Police captain really surprised us he kept talking about responsibility city code, and common sense all of which we showed in his opinion. I am picking them up at 9:00am for a full spa treatment and for lunch Happy meals for them both. We will still have issues with the neighbors I feel when we show up with the dogs but I hope they come to their senses.

Oh !! Happy Day for you and your family Hope the reunion goes well.  Congratulations on the results, but so sorry you even had to go thur such an experience.