precedence

so the neighbor's dog was out (nothing new) and again it peed beside the entrance to our place (the usual).

my mom's help asked me what if it bites someone and the owner does not know that the dog was out, who will pay for the teatment of the one bitten?

me:  'the pet owner!'

mom's help:  'what if the owner does not know the dog was out?'

me:  'regardless!'

mom's help:  'what if the owner is not at the house when the dog bit?'

me:  'you know, under the law, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to maintain control over their dog.  it does not say only when they are home or only when they're not busy.  regardless of where they are, regardless of what they're doing, their dog should be under control.  it shoud not be out in public on its own.  it should not be biting people.  if it does, the owner is required by law to shoulder the medical expenses of the victim.  that's a Republic Act.  it applies to the whole country.'

mom's help: 'what if you enter their yard and their dog bites you?  who will pay for your treatment?'

me:  'if they invited you and you get bitten, they should pay.  but if they did not and you just enter unannounced, i think you'll have to pay for your medical expenses.  you don't just enter other people's property.  that's a bigger offense than their dog biting you!'

there is a hierarchy to things.