Need some advice, I am so distraught. I have 4 dogs that stay in our fenced in yard, it is about 2 acres. Our neighbors have 3 dogs that just walk around in their own yard, no fence. One of them comes over to our yard and our driveway all the time when we go outside or pull the car out of the driveway, barking and baring her teeth, which drives our dogs crazy and scares my kids. Well, yesterday I guess the meter guy or a delivery person came to my house because my gate to the front yard was open. I luckily found all my dogs but apparently my yellow lab attacked one of the neighbor dogs. It wasn't the one that comes to our yard or the spaniel that sometimes does, it was their 15 year old dog, Luke, that can barely walk, let alone defend himself. I don't undersand why my very sweet lab could have done such a horrible thing. If it was one of the other dogs I might understand but this poor defenseless dog, I just don't get it.
Side story: Luke disappereared over a year and a half ago. He had wandered out to the main road and a private dog shelter place we didn't even know was around picked him up. Because he is so old we figured he had wandered off to die but about 8 months later they found him and got him back. It is a miracle that he got to spend the remainder of his time back with his family.
Anyways, the neighbor saw my lab standing over him and barking, and there was a 3 inch gash on the back of his neck that was very deep. I assume he did it because my other 3 are small dogs. He was in shock when they took him to the vet but by last night he was doing good and they were going to do surgery this morning. But, I just found out that they ended up putting him to sleep, because with the anesthesia and surgery he probably wouldn't have made it. I am so upset because I loved this dog and my dog ultimetely casued the death of this dog. He probably wouldn't of had but maybe 6 months to live anyways, but it doesn't matter. His last day and night shouldn't have been spent in pain and at a vet. Our nieghbors are our good friends and their son and my 5 year old are best friends. I don't know what to do or say, besides ay I'm sorry. Any advice would be much appreciated.