I had someone like this do the same deal with my dog. I had a 45lb pitbull. This guy could climb a privacy fence or bust out the bottom. I tried standard cable and hookups. He was so strong he would snap anything you could buy from a normal pet store. I didn't want to crate him while I worked so I put him on a 1/4 chain with 10' radius connected to a small axle I hammered into the ground. Comfy dog house all that. I took him running with me everyday and he was loose from when I got home until I hooked him up in the morning.
Well I get these "cause warrior" neighbors that move in. My long time neighbor called and said the newbies were in my backyard. I get home and these fools are chasing my dog thru the neighborhood. Come to find out these fools thought it was cruel keeping him on the chain and tried to release him. Soon as their son unhooked his collar he flattened the son and took off out the gate.
I had to explain to these idiots why he was hooked up. Then the cops show up due to the drama and have to explain why breaking into someone's gate is not wise.