i don't think shooting the other dog was ever an option for " bill" not that kind of person. Choke slamming the neighbor is a possibility though, I don't know the specifics on how he knew the chow did it but he's certain it did. Won't have more specifics till later today.
Far be it for me to suggest that violence isn't sometimes the right answer. It is.
He needs to just watch his fucking six after he goes and does something all frothy.
I am a big believer in reserving violence for deadly-force, existential situations. And in those situations, I believe in precision and finality. The purpose isn't to start the fight, it's to end it.