advice for avoiding a dog attack

[Happy2girls]

Hey Everyone, I wrote a while ago about our neighbor's Rottie who is contained by an electric fence but snarls, growls and charges every time he sees us or anything for that matter.  He is always making terrible yiping noises because he is constantly getting shocked because he charges up to the the very edge of his property.  This apparently wears his collar batteries down because yesterday he breached the electric fence and entered our yard.  My daughter was home alone and called me in a panic because he was jumping at our window.  I called the neighbor from my cell and she was apologetic and said she checks his battery every week but it must have run down.  She came and got him but this morning at about 6:00 AM he was outside again snarling at something.  What in the world can I do if this dog again crosses the fence and charges my children, me or my dog?  Any ideas on how to react in an attack type situation?  I talked with my neighbor and she doesn't seem to get it.  She says he is untrainable and she has her house fitted with an electric gate so he can't do too much damage inside as he tears things up and toilets in the house.  She usually lets him out all day and I cannot avoid their home when I take my kids to school or walk my dog.  Please, I am begging for advice.  Thank you.          

[Happy2girls]

Thanks everyone for the comments.  I've talked to the police and animal control but there is nothing I can do since the dog hasn't hurt anybody.  They are within their rights to have an electric fence as well.  I can call animal control if he gets loose again but I don't know how much good that would do.  The dog belongs to the 16 y/o son.  The mother and father hate the animal but when they moved their son out of state they promised him a dog. He wanted a dachshund but the father said he didn't want a yappie little dog.  Ironically they now have a snarling, barking 120lb liability.  I am going to check into pepper spray.  Luckily with school and homework the girls don't have much occasion to venture outdoors these days.  Scruffy never goes out without me and I always have him on a leash so the rottie will have to through me to get Scruffy.  The neighbors come to me with complaints because nobody really knows these people, they are rarely home.  One neighbor did ask her to keep the dog in during school bus hours since the children were frightened.    Hopefully, the next door dog's bark is worse than his bite.    

Peek, we don't have an association, that's why we bought here.  Hubby needs to park his racing trailer in the driveway and we thought a home owners assoc would frown upon that.            

[peekawho]

Reluctantly, at this point I would also call the police or other authorities.  I think the situation has escalated to the point where it is very dangerous to do otherwise.

Do you have a homeowners association you can complain to, also?  

[have 2 kids]

I would definately contact the authorities.  If she claims he is untrainable she shouldn't have him.   Are there other neighbors in your area?  Maybe talk to them and they could report it also.

[April2]

He's untrainable? That's ridiculous. All dogs are trainable. It sounds to me like she's just lazy. She leaves him outside all day because she doesn't want to deal with trying to train him in the house.
You may need to start getting firmer with her and tell her that next time the dog comes on your property and you or your family feels threatened that you will be forced to call the police. I know you want to be nice but this lady is taking advantage of that and isn't properly controlling her dog. It's not that she doesn't get it, she doesn't care how you feel.

As for how to avoid an attack, Jaybay may be able to better answer this one. I've heard that you avoid eye contact but stand your ground. Speak calmly to the dog to try and calm him down. Whatever you do, don't run! Running will ensure the dog to chase after you. Don't turn your back on the dog either. If you have a small child, pick the child up and face the dog. Keep talking in a calm but firm voice, avoiding direct eye contact. I'm not sure if there's anything else you can do. These are the suggestions I've heard. There may be more if anyone can think of something.
God forbid, if you are attacked, roll up in a ball and cover your head and face. Try to poke or punch the dog in the eye or nose, the most vulnerable part of the dog.  Let's just hope and pray it never comes to that.
I really think you need to step this up to the next step, though. She's got to control her dog or you have every right to call authorities. You need to protect your family.
I feel for you, really I do. I sure hope this can be resolved peacefully. Keep in touch and let us know how things are going.
Best wishes,
April