Irresponsible neighbor--WWYD?

[ReadingMama]

Our next door neighbor is not a great pet owner. He had a little (about 15 pounds) short haired mixed breed dog who could jump his 4 ft fence (and did regularly). He left that little dog outside all the time--even in snow storms. She could get under his raised shed, but there was no heater there. This week she ran away and he hasn't put any posters up or anything. I hope she went to a better home. It makes me sad for her.

A few weeks ago this guy's equally irresponsible girlfriend decided she didn't want her long-haired mini dachund anymore because he peed in her house. She had him in her backyard for the few months she had him. She got him for free from a woman who bred dogs in her backyard (where the dogs lived.) So no one has house-trained this dog! She told my neighbor that she wanted him to keep her dog for a while because she can't stand him. The little dog has lived in his backyard for about a month. We got about 5 inches of snow last weekend. This dog is about 6 or 7 inches tall.

I've told my neighbor and his girlfriend that I can help them find a new home for this dog through the rescue group that I work with. I offered to take the dog to Petsmart to show him for them. But my neighbor says he wants to keep him because he has a 5 yo daughter who comes to his house on weekends.

What would you do in this situation? Drop it because the dog has food and water and can get under the shed, keep trying to talk them into placing him, or something else?

[number572]

If the dog looks like he's suffering in any way, I'd go with "something else". It involves trespassing and thievery. Poor dog, its a living being, not a stuffed toy.

[mattemma04]

You need to call animal control so they can check on the dog.Keep calling till they come.If you steal the dog,and get caught,you will be fined.So be careful if you go that route!

[WaitingForKiddos]

Animal control and the humane soc. would do nothing in that situation in my area. I'd go with 'something else'.

ahhh this thread will get some 'ohhh but it's bad to steal someones dog!!!!'

[ReadingMama]

I've never done that before. I would be devasted to lose my dog and would throw down if anyone tried to take her. But she's rarely outside without us. Because she's part of the family! There are several outside only dogs in our neighborhood. There are several dogs that jump fences and go on neighborhood tours regularly. The reason I feel differently about this is that this little midget of a dog is so obviously NOT an "outside dog." Seriously, a big hawk could probably carry him away. This guy's dogs don't get attention until his daughter comes for her weekends--and even then, the dogs aren't allowed inside. I can't imagine leaving your 6 or 7 pound dog out in snow storms. But animal control would say that there's food and water and shelter (under the shed), so there's nothing they can do. At least it's getting warmer outside. But what about 100+ degree days?

[SophieAnn]

Originally Posted by ReadingMama

But animal control would say that there's food and water and shelter (under the shed), so there's nothing they can do. At least it's getting warmer outside. But what about 100+ degree days?

Is there water? Or is there a frozen block of ice in a bowl?

That might be enough to get animal control to pay a visit. It couldn't hurt to call, really. Maybe the officer will see enough to take some sort of action - sounds like the "shelter" is not adequate.

[ChristyMarie]

Unfortunately animal can only give them a warning for the most part. He does have shelter under the porch so I'm not sure they'll do anything.

However, as an animal shelter employee once told me in a similar situation, if the doggie were to find a treat or something and wander over by you and you didn't know where it belonged and you took it to animal control they would hold it for X days for the owner to come find it (if they were so inclined) then put it up for adoption if not claimed.

Just a thought from someone who has BTDT.

[MsVyky]

Could you try calling the Humane Society or local SPCA?

What you're describing sounds a lot like animal neglect/abuse to me.

[rhiOrion]

I say call anyhow, even if they won't *do* anything, maybe they can talk to the owner. Some people just need a bit of a kick in the pants to realize that what they're doing isn't appropriate. Maybe a visit from animal control will help.

Probably not. But you don't know 'til you've tried.

I do think it sounds like the "shelter" is not adequate.