Neighbor’s Dog Attacked My Dog, They Don’t Wanna Take Responsibility (california)

Location: California
Yesterday morning, my sister and I were walking my small dog on a leash on the sidewalk when my neighbor’s dog got out through their open gate, ran toward us, and attacked my dog. Thankfully, my dog is okay overall, but he does have a bite wound that required a vet visit.
The whole thing was caught on our Ring camera. The frustrating part is that the actual attack happens in the top corner of the footage, so you can’t clearly see the bite itself. However, you can hear the attack happening, and you can see their dog run out of the property and go directly toward my dog. We also have pictures of my dog’s injury.
The bigger issue is that this is the second time their dog has attacked my dog.
The first incident happened in June. Their dog stuck its head through their fence and attacked and bit my dog. At that time, the owner completely acknowledged that it was her dog and offered to pay the vet bill. I told her not to worry about the bill because I just wanted her to put something up on the fence so her dog could no longer stick its head through and reach my dog.
I have pictures from that incident, but unfortunately I didn’t have anything in writing from the owner acknowledging that her dog was responsible.
Yesterday, after the second attack, I told the owners that this was the second time their dog had attacked my dog and that I was going to call the police and make a report. They kept saying it was “an accident” and that their dog didn’t mean to do it. I told them that I understand accidents happen, but this is the second time their dog has attacked mine and they need to take responsibility and make sure they have control of their dog.
I called the police. The officers came out, spoke with everyone, and I’m told the incident is still under investigation. The officer also told me that, based on the video and circumstances, it was clearly a dog bite/attack.
Today I went over to the neighbors to tell them I need them to cover the vet bill. They are now acting like they have no idea what I’m talking about. They’re saying they don’t know what incident I’m referring to and that their dog doesn’t bite.
I’m honestly frustrated because they acknowledged the first incident, offered to pay for it, and I didn’t even make them pay. Now that it has happened a second time and I’ve actually called the police, they’re completely denying that anything happened.
I have:
Ring camera footage of yesterday’s incident
Audio of the attack on the Ring footage
Photos of my dog’s injury
Veterinary records/bills
Photos from the first attack in June
A history of the first incident
A police report, with the investigation still ongoing
My sister as a witness
My question is: What are my options here? Do I have enough to take them to small claims court for the veterinary expenses, and does the fact that this is the second time their dog has attacked my dog make a difference?
I’m not trying to get some huge payout. I just want them to take responsibility for the damage their dog caused and pay the vet bill. I’m also concerned because I don’t want this to happen a third time.