[Paula]

Just thought I’d add – I have had a similar issue. My dog Scout is a big girl, about 85 lbs, and though she is not an aggressive dog she isn’t a friendly dog either. She’s always on a harness and leash but about a year ago we got a neighbor who has a miniature pincher that they never felt compelled to put on a leash and would constantly run up to Scout and mock-attack her. She would always respond in kind and after several incidents and many failed attempts at speaking reasonably with them, we got a copy of the leash ordinance in our county and gave it to them. That didn’t do much good either and so finally my husband ended up telling them that their inability to keep their dog on a leash could get both of our dogs killed. Scout outweighs Rocco by a good 60 lbs – a true fight between them would not end well for Rocco. And any dog that attacks another (in our county) could possibly be seized and destroyed. It’s not likely, since we’d be in the “right” since our animal is the one on the leash, but it’s possible.
It sounds like your parents have the situation under control, but if it continues - possibly if they can make the owners of the dog that attacked aware that their actions (or lack thereof) has far-reaching effects that could not only result in the harm of your dog (and others) but might result in them losing theirs, it could better motivate them to get their dog under control.