[djphizix]

I hope someone can help me figure this out!

Last Saturday afternoon, my kids and I took our dog for a walk around the neighborhood. A little ball of fur popped up out of nowhere and started following us. We didn't see where she came from. We tried calling the number on the tag, no answer, left a voicemail. She followed us up and down several streets, and all the way back home.

She was so stinkin' cute that we brought her inside. She's little, probably not more than about 6-8 lbs, and although she followed us, she was VERY scared and timid. When you reach to pet her, she backs up and cowers down as if she is afraid you're going to hit her--not like most puppies do when they are just not sure about you. She was hungry and thirsty, and her coat was in BAD shape. Badly matted chunks of fur with sticks and leaves tangled up in it, huge chunks of goo under her eyes, and to lift her tail was a NIGHTMARE: she just had so much dried 'stuff' back there, with LOTS of little sticks, leaves, and just general debris tangled up in it. Her hair was so long that she could barely see out from under what was hanging over her eyes, and it was grown out way past her paws. We assumed she must have been abandoned. I put her in the bathtub, washed her, cut the matted chunks out that I couldn't brush out, cleaned the gunk out of her eyes, and cleaned her backside (which took a LONG time--I just can't emphasize enough how bad it was). Now she's a new dog, much happier, bouncing around our living room and playing with the kids...

Sunday, we called the number on the rabies tag to leave a message, hoping we could get info on vaccinations so we could get her groomed. They called back, said they had a different number on file for the dog than what was around her neck (found out later the tags and collar were from another dog). Turned out to be the owner's number--she walked over to our house to get her dog. She looked rough, didn't seem too upset about the dog going missing, but said thanks. We quizzed her on the phone and again when she got here--it was definitely her dog. We thought about it and later sent her a text message saying we would give her $200 for the dog. She said no but thanked us again, said the dog had a lot of sentimental value, and her 4 year old loves to play with her! (she lets a 4-yr old play with a dog that has clumps of dried feces caked all in the back of her hair?)

No one thought to take pictures of the 'before' condition because she was in such bad shape, we assumed she was abandoned! Now, calling SPCA or Humane Society isn't going to do any good--they're going to see a dog that is all clean and shiny! Besides the fearfulness of the dog (which could be chalked up to her personality), the fact that she's a little on the skinny side, the length of her hair, and my word, there's not really any proof of the awful condition she was in! What can we do? The whole family is upset and can't seem to get over it, and honestly, I can't either. She was the sweetest dog in the world!

Thanks for your thoughts...

[Lucky098]

#1 reason why I don't call numbers on lost dogs.. They are "lost" for a reason.

You can still call animal control on her. If that dog was that bad, it'll only be a matter of time until she becomes dirty again. Typically dogs that look like that don't come from a clean house. If animal control is constantly checking on her and your constantly asking to purchase her, she just might take your offer to get the ACO off her back. Plus, she might have other dogs that are in tough shape. Just explain everything to the ACO that you explained on here.

Unfortunately, that's all you really can do besides dog-knap her or hope she wanders away again.

[JudyKayTee]

Call Animal Rescue or whatever it's called in your area. If she was dirty and abused before she'll be dirty and abused again.

Did the owner indicate how long the dog had been "missing?" A lot can happen to a dog in a short period.

[Emily94]

If the dog gets out again (which trust me it will), call animal control and just say that this dog has been running around the neighbourhood, and it isn't the first time, tell them the shape the dog is in and what not. They'll take the dog for a few days (around here it is 72 hours) and if it isn't picked up in that time it is euthanized, but anyone can come the day it is to be euthanized and rescue it.

This is the only legal way you can get the dog if she won't allow you to purchase it, and really, if she won't go save it out of the pound she doesn't deserve it.

[JudyKayTee]

The Protection Society in my area is no kill. If the dog is picked up or turned in and can be rehabbed it will find a new home.

[Emily94]

The pound here does euthanize dogs and cats after 72 hours, most times the humane society sweeps in and saves dogs, but lately there has been an over population at the shelter (there blaming it on christmas).. so lately a lot more animals are being killed.

I guess it all depends on her area.