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No, I don't. The dog shouldn't have been running at large in the first place. The neighor who blamed it on a sleeping baby is grasping at straws.
I wouldn't leave my property while a baby was sleeping either. However, I would make sure I wouldn't have to. I don't know about everyone else, but when I am grounded and can't do anything else (I don't mean grounded as in punished, I mean grounded as in not being able to leave), I make sure I don't have to. I wouldn't go chasing a dog while a bread was in the oven. I wouldn't go chasing a dog while a steak was in the broiler. I wouldn't go chasing a dog when I'm in the shower. Surely, putting a baby down for a nap would be more important than bread, steak or taking a shower. Therefore, letting a dog run amok and saying that 'oh, sorry, my baby was sleeping' is just irresponsible, lazy and negligent.
I don't doubt for a minute you're warning that people would try to exploit that perspective (they play all kinds of cards), but I don't get how it would fly. Parents still have responsbilities, even when their babies are sleeping. You still have to ensure the safety of you and yours, and make sure you and yours aren't hurting others.
But IMOHO, it's just as inadequate as saying, "Well I just don't have any control over them. They come and go as they please". That's what my neighbor says when her dogs come here.
Anyway, hopefully the neighbor will keep a better eye on their dog. I'm assuming this was a first offense, and there *are* good people out there. The initial reaction was probably a knee-jerk reaction. The fact that they came over and apologized and offered to reimburse you might mean they plan on keeping their dog in. One can hope anyway.
