Just an FYI both my past pits jumped 6ft privacy fences if they got bored, if they want on your property that gate and fence aren't tall enough to prevent it. As far as waiting for the dog to attack before shooting you could be too late to save your life or a loved ones life, it'll happen in a blink. I'm one of the first to jump to the defense of the breed but I'm a realist. That's not a dog breed to mess around with. No large breed dog that acts fearful or aggressive should be taken lightly.
Glad your dogs going to be OK. A dog at large is fair game you can easily articulate fear of grave bodily harm and are fully justified. Let me ask you this is permanent disfigurement or death worth a relationship with your neighbors?
The white female pit was coy and tried to come up on me from along side the poison ivy hedge as I was post hole digging yesterday. None of this ever has ever happened before, it all started Friday.
Glad your dog is on the mend. Whether your know it now or not, you now have a friend for life.
And about the fence. I once had a Treeing Walker coonhound that learned that he could climb a fence just almost like one of us would, he discovered this ability when a nearby ***** came into heat. Never could keep him in the yard after that. So you may end up having to shoot some dogs regardless. I hate to see dogs put down as much as anybody, but I won't tolerate what you are dealing with.
I took a huge step yesterday when I called the Sheriff's office. That is the 1st time in my life I have called Law Enforcement.