Dog Fight With Neighbor’s Dog

Location: Florida

I live in a neighborhood where the HOA states that we can’t have farm animals, my next door neighbor has owned a chicken since I moved in about 4 years ago and my dog is pretty receptive to other animals where she would engage her hunt drive if she sees something.

About two months ago I was at work and advised my stepfather if he can let my dog in the yard since I wasn’t home and he went.

When he let my dog out, without realizing that my neighbors chicken was in my yard, my dog chased after it until it crossed over to her yard but unfortunately her dog was also there and my dog being a bully mix rescue, plowed through the fence and engaged the other dog in a fight.

It’s a terrible situation in any way you want to look at it and my dog ended up getting small bites but no stitches or anything else had to be done, my neighbors dog did get some punctured wounds and had to get medical help.

I asked my neighbor how her dog was and if there was anything I could do and she said it was unfortunate but her dog would make a full recovery.

I kept following up with her to make sure her and her dog were OK and she went quiet.

Today I got a letter stating she wants 8K in medical expenses or she will take me to small claims court.

Our dogs ave never engaged in aggressive behavior prior to this chicken incident and I’m wondering since it was filed in the police report and her chicken was removed by the city, if I am to be liable 100% for this incident under the circumstances from her chicken being in my property prior to mine getting into hers.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.