Mistreated dogs

Doggyguy · #1 Feb 26, 2009, 01:06 PM

Some friends of mine are two builders sharing a house. They have two dogs, neither of which are being looked after properly. One is a collie who is so fat, she struggles to jump in a car (not that she ever gets taken anywhere). She is never walked and is fed in addition to her enourmous dinner, all the leftovers and scraps anybody doesnt want which can amount to a lot. She is never treated for fleas or wormed. The other is a jack russell puppy. He is really thin because he is only fed once a day and also hasn't been wormed. He is never walked either and the ten year old son of one of my friends who also lives there pulls him about, teases him, drops him etc. and takes no notice when his Dad tells him not to. It has got to the point that the puppy bares his teeth if the boy goes near him. It really upsets me how these dogs are being treated but because I have commented on it and they know I love dogs,even if I report them anonymously they are bound to guess it was me. Any ideas?

JudyKayTee · Feb 26, 2009, 01:09 PM

If the dogs are being abused there is no decision to be made - you have a moral obligation to report the abuse. Animal abusers grow up to be people abusers. If you are old enough to post, you are old enough to report this.

As far as never being treated for worms and/or fleas - do they HAVE worms and/or fleas? My dogs aren't treated and don't have either.

EDIT: Sorry my answer made you unhappy. You might want to try reading the rules of the site. http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/faq.php

Altenweg · Feb 26, 2009, 01:16 PM

It takes alot of courage to do what's right, you have no other choice but to report this if you think the dogs are being abused.

Animal control will assess the situation, if they think the dogs are fine then nothing will be done, if they think they are being abused, well, you'll have save two dogs.

The choice is yours, because the only other thing you can do is talk to the owners yourself and tell them what you think.

Good luck.

crytib · Feb 26, 2009, 01:18 PM

you should have the spca know about this and they will take care of it

linnealand · Feb 26, 2009, 04:56 PM

i sympathize with your position. however, as it has been said, there is no decision to be made: you really do have to contact animal control. that's all you have to do. they will assess the situation and make the best decision for the poor dogs involved.

it sounds like you have a big heart. i can't imagine that you will be able to let this situation out of your mind. having a big heart is a gift, and as such, it is your job to use it.

think about it this way. what if these were children? what if these were small children that were being neglected and cared for in ways that could only be hurting them? what if that little puppy was a child being fed only once a day, being bullied and teased to the point where his innocence and playfulness were being abused out of him until all he is left with is fear and anger. well, to those of us who love our pets the way we do, and in the way they should be loved, they are our families, they are our unconditional friends, and they are our furry children.

you know what you have to do, but it's just going to take a little courage on your part. if you do this, you will be the silent hero to those voiceless dogs. if you don't do this, i think it will be something you will probably regret in some way for the rest of your life. the fact that you can report them anonymously is an advantage to you. if anyone else they know has seen their dogs being treated this way, they could be equally suspected (um, of doing the right thing).

with all due respect, i don't think your main concern should be about your standing in the eyes of these people. they are the ones doing all the wrong things, and when you report them, you will be the only one who has done the right things. one last thought crosses my mind, which will have to be only yours to consider, but i wonder if you really need friends (or anyone) in your life who are capable of doing a single one of the things you described, and, perhaps even worse, have decided to completely ignore the things you have discussed with them about the well being of the poor pets they have taken into their home as their responsibility.

i am not a deeply religious person, but i do think we will all be judged one day for the way we treat the animals in our lives. i once heard a quote, and i completely believe this to be true; that not making a choice also means making a choice. if you know what you do and do nothing, you will have said in some way that it's okay for those animals to live the rest of their lives in that way.

summon up that bravery. all it will take out of your life is the time it takes to make that phone call or to write that little letter, but it could very well mean the whole world to those dogs.

MsMewiththat · Feb 27, 2009, 10:43 AM

Animal Neglect and cruelty in some states can be very hard to prove. If the dogs are fed and generally cared for they are not considered to be neglected. I disagree. I think that they need a lot more than just your basic care. I recently rescued a dog from a private party that didn't realize they were killing the animal. The dog was a long haired breed and they didn't groom the dog. What ended up happening is that he suffered from the hair matting up around his behind causing him to be unable to use the bathroom. His genitals were also matted to his legs causing a webbing that made it difficult for him to walk. When got this animal he was miserable. I immediatly bathed him not being aware of the problems that he was having, long story short, after having the dog for one week and over $900 later this dog is happy and healthy and on his way to a much better life.
Upon the suggestion of our vet we reported the previous owners for neglect and cruelty and the charges won't stick. My recommendation for you is to report the owners and attempt to get the charges to stick, but in the case that they don't do not stop there.... educate the owners and their children, foster the dogs to a degree if you can. If you spend time with this family help them take better care of their dogs. It can get expensive, but as it has been said on here, not doing anything is making a choice. The dogs deserve better. Help them out.

JudyKayTee · Feb 27, 2009, 11:41 AM

I understand what you are saying. Sometimes it's not gross neglect. Sometimes it's lack of knowledge BUT when someone teases, drops, etc., the dog it's not lack of knowledge - it's neglect and/or stupidity.

If there's a chance that talking will work, sure, talk to the owners, But if talking is very obviously not going to work - and I'm sure you've check out the attitude of the OP - then someone has to step in.

MsMewiththat · Feb 27, 2009, 01:04 PM

I agree 100%. I can't tolerate cruelty to animals. I don't understand it. Someone does need to step in and the OP should have by now. It takes two seconds to stand up for something you believe in. I don't understand if he witnesses the cruelty why he doesn't take it upon him self to correct it.

Silverfoxkit · Mar 1, 2009, 03:53 PM

I was wondering if you have done anything for these dog yet. animal abuse in any form is not a thing that should be taken lightly, or aid for such animals put off. Please give us updates.

starbuck8 · Mar 2, 2009, 12:03 PM

These people do not LOVE thier dogs! If they did, they would not be treating them this way. This is animal neglect. I don't believe you want this on your conscience. This dog could possibly turn on your "friends" son, and the outcome may not be a good one. They are quite obviously not responsible pet owners.

Please report them for the sake of the dogs that have no choice but to suffer at the hands of the people they trust will do everything to keep them well fed, and healthy. Also, for the little boy that could be hurt because of their irresponsibility and neglect.

I know that you know yourself, that this is the right thing to do. I don't see any other option. If you don't report them, you are making yourself just as guilty of this, as they are.