So long story, I'll keep as short as possible without leaving out pertinient info. Sorry it's long, but I need honest opinions. The other night I was walking my 2 dogs (both a little under 50lbs...think giant weenie dogs or small bassets) and I had two friends with me luckily. As we turned a corner I noticed a dog in a yard up ahead. When the dog is there and I see it, I usually cross the street because it barks from behind its fence and gets my dogs riled up and they like to pull me. So I'm crossing the street and as we are in the middle of the road in front of the house with the dog I realize the gate and front door to their house is open and the dog is running towards us. It's a small like 10lb dog maybe. I yell at the people (they are moving out at the time which is why all the doors/gates were open) to get there dog, but they 1)don't get the dog in time and 2) don't even try to help me. So their dog gets to my dogs who are now going nuts (I still had their leashes though) and one of my dogs bites and holds on to the little dog. Me and my friends were kicking, pulling, doing whatever and finally my dog let their dog go. Here's the shortened part: My dogs weren't hurt, they were on leashes, and we were in the middle of the street. My friends and I could have been long gone b/c the whole family went back inside to check on the dog, but we waited to see if it was ok or how wounded it was. After the fight, their dog was bitten but not bleeding at the time; I told them to take the dog to the vet asap because even if it's not bleeding it could be hurt...dogs jaws are the strongest part of their bodies! They didn't take their dog to the vet cause it was "acting normal" until 4 hours later when, of course, the shock wore off and the internal problems started showing. The next morning I get a call from them saying I owe them $700 for the vet bill and anything else the dog might need! Yes, I agree my dog bit their dog and I feel really bad for them and their dog, but at the same time my principles tell me that this was their fault because they should have had their dog on a leash (as required by law) or locked in the bathroom or something. I'm sorry that your dogs ran towards my dogs and my two dogs are a lot bigger than your dog! Had their dog had bit mine instead there wouldn't even be a question as to whose fault this was and who should pay. They never even admitted any sort of guilt except that "the gate is never open and it was only open for a second for us to move the big furniture". Well, my bad, but wouldn't you be at fault if you were watching a baby and the gate was open "for a second" and it fell in and died? Ugh, I'm just pissed that this happened and that my dog hurt another dog and that people in LA are sue crazy, and my conscious weighs heavy on me. I mean, I don't have the money, they don't have the money, but I can't justify giving them anything since it was their negligence. If their dog got hit by a car because the dog was out would it be the driver's fault too? If you read this and responded, thanks. I need support/possible trashing right now.