That is just awful. Hope everything works out in your favor.
Maybe the guy was looking for easy money (lawsuit) if your dog had have bit him. Like Ray I wouldn't have been so easy on the guy :(
You mentioned the pack rats. Are they only in certain areas? Do you camp with lights on under your rig when in the desert? Does it really help keep them away?
Do you have to incircle the bottom of your rig with lights or just a strip? Do you just turn them on when you go to bed? I would think a place like that would have beautiful night skies to see without the light :(