Karen, I just saw this post and wanted to respond right away.

What an amazing spirit you have - even through all of this. The most important thing is that you came out of this alive - as did the poor puppy.
Over and over again, I will say, bless your heart for protecting that puppy at all costs - your HAND.

In some ways this reminds me of the incident that happened on our block several years ago when a neighbor's dog attacked another dog that was being walked (on a leash) by its owner. She is a writer and in trying to protect her older golden - was attacked herself. Her wrist was broken.

The owners of the dog came over with a box of apples and a dozen roses and said they were so sorry. And they truly felt that this would be enough.

The woman that was injured and her husband did not want money - even the medical bills paid for - they wanted something done about the dog because it was the sixth attack - and the owners did nothing. They finally had to go to court over it because the dog was always loose - running free.

Fixing that spot in the fence is not enough - if they could dig out there - they will only find another spot - another victim.

I wish you the very best in all of this - and I am just so sorry that it had to happen at all - you really have had your plate full recently.