I don't know any of the circumstances you have in getting along with the neighbors but I think before I went any further talking about getting an attorney etc. I would at least call the neighbor and make him aware of the medical bills and ask him if he is going to offer paying them or at least the deductible from your insurance. Are these people homeowners or are they renters? I ask because I know the attitudes usually differ considerably in these cases!
I have been through this dog thing with a neighbor in yrs past and no matter how good or bad you get along it is always better to at least try getting along before ever involving police or an attorney. Involving either one of these can cause hard feelings that may never reverse and only worsen over the years.
I'm just getting prepared. Cops said they (the family) were going to pay the bills and to bring the bills to them and they would deliver them. I will give them the benefit of the doubt first, but I just have that gut feeling.
The only problem is this guy is a semi-nut and not someone any of us talk too... cops told me I did the right thing notifying them and letting them handle it. If looks could kill, we'b be dead this morning from them driving by and glaring at us. I know they are not happy, but having a vicious dog out and about is not cool either...
I hate to see harm done to animals and I hate to see the dog put down, but seeing your kid bit by the dog isn't cool either. I'm as big of an animal lover as there is. It's all in how the animal is treated. They have one other dog that is pretty mean too. I just hope they decide to keep it locked away and secure.
Mike, glad everything is going good so far with Mitchell.
Some advice:
Contact an attorney, preferably one you know that won't charge you. Get some advice, and do not get hosed on this deal. If you deal specifically with their insurance provider and do not have your own counsel, they will probably try to jerk you around.
People never want to "lawyer up," but if you have no ties with them, your son got harmed due to their negligence, then I believe I would contact an attorney. They have clearly been put on notice that the dog is aggressive, and it is their duty to assure he doesn't hurt anyone. They did not fulfill their obligation. Therefore, they owe you money. It's really pretty cut and dried.
Even if they do not have homeowners, you can sue them. If they are broke, it still doesn't matter. The court will/can garnish their wages.
Also, even if the police are doing their job and being good guys, that doesn't mean that they know the nuances of the law.
If it were me, I'd approach it in this order of importance:
make sure my son is ok
make sure I am compensated for their negligence
maintain a reasonable relationship with my neighbors
Good luck buddy!
