Dog chained up outside 24/7

[LenasMommy]

I need some opinions. Our neighbors have this really sweet boxer in their back yard. They have him chained to a tree. Technically, its not a chain, its like a cord. But anyways, I don't think he is even one yet. He is very friendly and always looking for attention. We can't go in our back yard without him whining and trying to get our attention. I never see the owners back there with him...ever. He has a bucket of water that they placed in the ground.. But I don't think they ever put fresh water in it. Not too sure when they feed him either. I always go out there with water with ice in it and some food. He always gobbles it down. He looks healthy though. They do have a dog house out there too.

My question is, would you contact animal control to see if they can get the owners to be more responsible. This poor thing is never played with unless I play with him. He is so friendly and I am worried he will get mean because of lack of attention. I really don't want to be mean. But I feel so awful for this dog. It really breaks my heart that such a wonderful dog is just sitting there all day wondering why no one comes and see's him. So would you do something? Please, any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[greenmagick]

I dont know that it would do anything, but I would try animal control. Actually, I think I would first try talking to the neighbors if thats an options....maybe they just dont know how to housetrain, or about socialization, etc. It may be worth a try anyways.

[LenasMommy]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

I dont know that it would do anything, but I would try animal control. Actually, I think I would first try talking to the neighbors if thats an options....maybe they just dont know how to housetrain, or about socialization, etc. It may be worth a try anyways.

how should i approach talking to them? i don't want to make them angry with me. or feel that i am attacking them. They are 2 guys and are in the mid to upper 20's. They have parties quite a bit.. makes me nervous about starting something with them

[greenmagick]

Without being in the situation, its hard to say...but you could try opening with something like...what a sweet puppy...he just loves getting attention from us. Maybe then mention something about socialization and how you are concerned that he seems lonely. Sorry, I am really not good at it either

[SevenVeils]

You're feeding someone else's dog? In their yard? Without permission? The fact that he gobbles it up means nothing, dogs will gobble up food at any time including immediately after they are fed their regular meal.

If someone decided that they didn't think that I feed my dog because they never see me doing so (I feed him at around 2AM every night by the way, so this could really happen), and if they fed him I would be irate. I spend a lot of money on a particular food (grain free) because what he eats is important to me. If someone fed him some other food I would be very upset. Or, for that matter, if they fed him even the same food, as it would interfere with my ability to judge how much he is eating vs his body condition.

Tying a dog outside is completely awful, but I doubt that it is illegal. You can call your local Animal Control to find out for sure, but I don't think that they do anything unless the dog is in imminent danger of overheating/dehydration, or is badly underweight or wounded.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Around here dogs chained outside is the norm and we dont have any animal control

[SophieAnn]

There's an organization called Dogs Deserve Better that advocates/educates against chaining dogs.

I recommend you check out their website:
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/home.html

There's some really helpful information for people who see a chained dog and want to help. You may be able to contact a volunteer who can approach the neighbour with information. You may also be able to find out more information about applicable laws in your state/county.

In our city bylaws, chaining 24/7 is illegal so I would report it to Animal Control, after documenting that the dog is in fact being chained longer than the allowed limit.

Most dogs will gobble food whether they are hungry or not.... or, they're always hungry even if they've just eaten. It is really inappropriate to be feeding another person's dog without their permission (unless of course the dog is visibly malnourished). Please don't feed it anymore. One of my dogs has food allergies, and I would be devastated/really pissed off if someone fed him without my permission.

Giving him fresh water, and loving attention is a great idea though.

[number572]

Ick. Yeah, two 20-something guys who like having parties may also lose track of time often. Or haven't thought about things much from the dogs perspective. Or think that if the dog has food & water, he's good to go. Maybe the dog was a gift, who knows?? I think they'd welcome a friendly "what a sweet dog, he just loves when we talk to him & interact with him, does he know any tricks? do you know of this cool dogpark..." or whatever... something to get them thinking. Their answers will also shed some light on why they are treating him the way they are & can guide you to the next step of helping them & the dog.

If the dog isn't even one yr old, he still has a chance in someone else's home too, and (if that treatment continues for another few weeks or so) I'd ask them if they'd like help to re-home him . I wouldn't be afraid to mention (very genuinely & nicely) that dogs, especially puppies under three NEED to play and all dogs need walking or it can cause them lifelong trauma & can be more difficult to handle - not a well behaved pet.

BUT, animals are my one thing that makes me have the courage to speak up & confront others when I see an injustice happening. Its not always comfortable for me, but I just try to think of what the dog would say if he could & if the people are defensive, there's always a reason... not enough money, not enough time, didn't know, etc. Most people don't intentionally want to damage an animal but got in over their head somehow with trying to care for one. And are receptive to help if its genuine and NOT an attack on them.

They sound like they probably just don't understand, maybe they had dogs who were treated like that as kids so its normal for them. To some people, animals are *just* an outdoor being that you feed once a day & give it water... anything more is unnecessary.

Good luck, hopefully the dog starts getting some regular lovin'!

[midnightmommy]

Unfortunately if he has food, water, and shelter animal control can't do much. Our lab was in a similar situation when she was a puppy. It took her collar growing into her neck and a family member telling the owner she had to give her up before she got out of there.

[jecombs]

I had neighbors like this once. I had success by buttering them up with "oh your puppy is so sweet! Is it okay if I pet him?" I then worked up to ask them if they would mind if I played with and walked their dog once or twice a day. I made it sound like I was soooo lonley for dog, and being a renter I couldn't get one of my own. I think they felt like they were doing me a favor by letting me play with their dog. I don't know that approach would work for you, but it's worth a shot!

[LenasMommy]

Thank you for all of the feedback. I never realized someone would be offended if I gave him food. I honestly didn't think of it. I was just really sad for him. Thank you for pointing it out though. He is just so sweet.. he really deserves so much better. Worries me about heat stroke too. It's been so hot here. I will try to have a talk to them. Last time we talked, we found the dog tied to one of our trees. We thought someone abandoned him. But it was the neighbors. They had given him to someone else and apparently didn't want them any more so tied it to the tree for my neighbors to find. They told us they had to pay a deposit to let him in the house. Which is why they gave him to a friend. But I guess they still haven't paid it.. that was some time ago. Well thank you everyone. I appreciate it.

[beanma]

LenasMommy,

Recently in NC several cities and towns have banned tethering dogs for longer than 3 hrs of time. You might mention that to them. "Hey, I just read that Raleigh adopted a no tethering ordinance. Y'all might want to think about getting a fence."

The Raleigh City Council has unanimously approved a dog tethering ordinance. The ordinance takes effect July 1.

hth

[Girl In The Fire]

hey had given him to someone else and apparently didn't want them any more so tied it to the tree for my neighbors to find. They told us they had to pay a deposit to let him in the house. Which is why they gave him to a friend. But I guess they still haven't paid it.. that was some time ago. Well thank you everyone. I appreciate it.

It doesn't sound like they like the dog very much. What about asking them if they will just give the dog to you, even if you don't keep it you can at the very least give it to a rescue to re-home. Breed rescue would more than likely take him.

Long story short we had a neighbor that neglected their dog as well. We struck up conversation with the owner and offered to walk the dog for her. We walked the dog for her for a while and eventually we asked if we could have the dog but she said no. Later she said she would sell him to us but wanted a ton of money for him, we couldn't afford her asking price not to mention he would need to be neutered and he was dysplastic. We did tell her if she didnt want him to contact breed rescue. She wanted money for him but when she realized no one was going to pay a ton of money for a crippled dog she did turn him over to rescue who ended up placing him in a great home

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would take him in a heartbeat if I could get to him

I have been looking for a Boxer forever.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would take him in a heartbeat if I could get to him

I have been looking for a Boxer forever.

[Peepsqueak]

Dogs should not be tied out. I do not understand why that is not against the law. It makes them aggressive and territorial and therefore dangerous. You may want to approach your neighbors and some animal welfare organization about this. If there are children in the area, this is a potential hazard too....sometimes kids tease dogs that are tied up and this is a recipe for disaster.
These guys are idiots and should be reported for animal cruelty!

[number572]

Mentioning any legal action, laws, threats to report them, etc could lead to them just driving the dog out somewhere & dumping it on the street. Happens all the time when people feel threatened by a fine or other legal reprocussion. They don't like the dog enough to care for it... if there is also a huge fine involved... the dog would suffer even more, I fear.

If possible, I'd be friendly & offer to take him to a no-kill shelter for them or keep him with you or at least walk him & play with him, take photos of him & put out fliers at vets & pet stores & around town, contact breed rescues, etc to find this guy a good home. Its not your responsibility but would be super awesome of someone to do for this dog.

sidenote - A neighbor of mine recently died & she had two dogs, mutts that were on their way to a kill-shelter, but I took photos of them and made a printable flier & another neighbor sent out mass emails of the flier - within 1 week we found homes for both dogs! And they weren't young, one was 3-4 & the other 6-7 yrs old, totally untrained as well.

[number572]

ps - pm me if you need help making a printable flier (if you decide to do anything like that) i'm happy to do it for him/you. all i'd need are a few jpg photos & his basic info.

[Mommy2Austin]

I know here in Florida there's a similar ordinance about the amount of time a dog can be tied outside. Its just too hot and multiple days in the heat is a death sentence water or no water.

I'd call animal control if attempts to talk to the owner got nowhere.

[RockStarMom]

I would report it to animal control. Here it is illegal to chain your dog, and I just reported someone for it a few weeks ago.
I'm a bit confused about what happened with him being tied to a neighbor's tree--but if that is what happened, I would have no qualms about taking him to the shelter or a local rescue/Boxer rescue group, where he would hopefully end up with better owners.