Dogs, Fences and headaches

[SDD]

My neighbor has 4 wolf-hybrids, all of which weigh at least 70 pounds each, if not more. We have a fence that divides the property the fence belongs to us. My neighbor's dogs constantly dig holes under the fence and jump up against the fence because they are friendly with one of my dogs. My other dog doesn't get along with her dogs and they always try to fight through the fence. Her dogs have literally tried to bite through our fence to attack my one dog. Anyway, last week when I opened the back door, I noticed her dogs had removed a board from our fence and were sticking their heads trying to push through. They also had loosened several other boards. Of course this had prevented me from letting my dogs outside and if my one dog were outside, there would have been a fight. So I was able to reach my neighbor's mother, who often deals with the dogs and is over there every day. When she came over to fix the fence, she tells me that my husband & I need to stain our fence ! I reminded her that her daughter's dogs are hybrids and have broken through 2 chain link fences, including my other neighbor's fence.

I am concerned about the safety of my dogs. The laws in my city for wolf-hybrids state that the owner "must have a secure fenced or walled yard that is accessible to and usable by the animal that will prevent the animal
from escaping." Our fence is suitable for our dogs. Neither one of my dogs weigh over 40 pounds and are wolf-hybrids. My neighbor's mother did fix the fence and my husband & I have decided to stain our fence, to try to keep the peace... but only our side of the fence. My husband said he doesn't want any responsibility if he stains her side of the fence and her dogs lick the finish and get sick. She never lets her dogs inside and they destroy everything. I can understand my husband's position. I would like to know if we are responsible for her side of our fence and if her dogs break our fence again and one of my dogs gets injured, if she is liable ?

Thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If local ordinances require that you stain your fence, you should stain your fence.

If local ordinances require that she build a better fence than she presently has, and she's not willing to do so, make a complaint with your city to try to get them to enforce the ordinance.

[SDD]

I don't believe there is a local ordinance requiring homeowners to stain their fences. I will stain our side of the fence... do not believe we should stain her side of the fence, as we would have to go on her property and because her dogs would probably lick the finish. I believe that the least she can do is help secure the fence, considering she is the one required by law to have a secure fence for wolf-hybrids and considering because her huge hybrids have caused damage to my fence.

I will attempt to check our local ordinances right now and find out about laws.

Thank you so much for your prompt response !