Would like lawyer advice on neighbors dog

[curt93t/t]

Got an appointment on Monday, but am curious if anyone can give me insight before then. So my wife signs for a certified letter today from our neighbor. The wife has this long drawn out sob story about how my wife took their dog to the SPCA and when the picked it up the dog had kennel cough and expect us to pay the $242 vet bill. I beg to differ that I owe this because this dog has literally lived on my back porch for the past year. I have called the wife and husband multiple times and even taken the dog over to their house while they were home. On pretty much occasion on the phone the two showed no interest in taking care of the situation.

A little over a month ago their dog and my dog got into an argument showing dominance and I called "John" and told him they needed to get their dog. He sounded impatient and the phone went dead. I called him back thinking we got disconnected but he told me that he hung up because he didn't have time to talk and that in fact my dogs were the cause because whenever they had their dog penned up my dogs egged theirs on and as such she dug out.

We live in the country (somewhat) and everyone lets their dogs roam. My dogs are inside dogs and the term for "roaming" for them is wandering around my 7 acre lot. Though I do not deny that they probably go next door, it's not like they are living over there. My wife's Father-in-law had just died and when the dogs got into it again she took Lucy to the SPCA. The dog has a chip but it is not activated so they could not notify our neighbors. Protocol is the had to keep her for 10 days before putting her up for adoption. The only reason why my neighbors found out was the SPCA put a picture of her on FB and they saw it. Once again showing they didn't even know she was there.

Long story short, am I obligated at paying the bill? Side question, can't I send them a bill for the food and what not I supplied for their dog over the past year? For the record, the only reason I really started feeding the dog was because she wouldn't leave and I know she was hungry.

[j2k4]

They should sue the SPCA for the kennel-cough bill.

Frankly, I can't believe they'd care to retain a lawyer in order to avoid a $242 vet bill, but there's no accounting for some behaviors.

Sounds like they think they can score, monetarily.

Relatively-speaking are you or they more popular among your neighbors?

FWIW, any response to a legal threat ought to include a promise to counter-sue for fees AND damages/mental anguish.

[curt93t/t]

Oh trust me, nobody likes them. The guy on the opposite side almost moved because of these people.

[j2k4]

That fact could be decisive at the outset if you actually ended up in court.

I'm thinking this is gonna reveal itself as a bluff.