Very Concerned about neighborhood dog!

[loving two dachsie's]

I will try to shorten this story as much as I can.

Earlier today I took Bailey for his usual Sunday evening walk (Sundays are longer walks then the rest of the weeks). I went a different way then usual tonight. Instead of walking outside of my Town home complex I decided to walk all around within my complex.

When I got to one of the front courts some of neighborhood kids were playing and wanted to pet Bailey so I stopped. Apparently they were outside one of these kids house and the boy let his dog out. When this dog came out I was beside myself. It was a little dog (not sure what breed) the first thing I saw was the 2 open cuts/wounds on its back leg. So of course I asked the kid where they came from. He told me the dog chases the bikes and gets cut up alot, and that he recently was hit by a car. Then I notice how thin this little dog was, ribs showing, and very thin hair. For lack of a better work this little guy was very "scoungy" looking.

I pressed this kid (he was about 8 or 9) for more facts about his dog. I noticed as I was talking to the kids the father (also very "scroungy " looking) kept peeking out the front door as if to listen to what I was saying to his son. One of the boys that was there asked this kid why they let the dog out all day when they are not home, and he replied "Because he will pee and poop all over the house". I replied " Thats what dogs that are not trained do". Then one of the other kids said " ya, my mom and I sometimes give your dog water when he is left out becasue he looks so hot and thirsty looking". I replied "If any of you kids see this dog out during the day please give him water".

It gets worse, I bent down to pet this little guy, and I saw that he was covered with fleas, he kept scratching the whole time he was out. I could litterally see this things crawling on him.

I tried to get one of the kids attention away from the dogs owner so I could try to find out more, but they all ran off on their bikes.

This is eating away at me, I do not know alot about the laws. but as far as I am concerned this dog is neglected in a big way.

Can anyone give me some advice or info on this subject? I do not want this person to know in fear of their reaction. I do not like to judge a book by its cover , but these people looked shady to me. From the father down to the kids and the house. I live in a really nice town house community, and this particular house was not taken care of like the others. One look at this dog and I knew something was up.

I took Bailey home and gave him and Ginger a nice warm bath, then hugged and kissed them all night.

Can I call Animal Control or local ASPCA about this dog, or am I out of my bounds?

Any help would be much appreciated. I knew this was the place to go for good, solid information.

Thanks,

Linda

[Mickamack]

Linda,

I can see why you're seeking advice. This is a tough one...at least it is for me. Some people might say, "Report him and take care of the animal first", but I'm always cautious about these kind of things.

If you feel strongly enough, I think you should call and report him. It's obvious that something is not right in the house.

But if that owner saw you, and could easily recognize you...find your house...he might not be too happy that you reported him for anything. He didn't sound like very attractive, and I wouldn't put anything past people these days. It's just that if he got in a snit over you reporting him, I'd hate for him to seek revenge...and maybe hurt you or your puppers.

What do other people here think?

[wireweiners]

Are these people in your townhouse community? What about calling the homeowners association or rental agency? Would they keep your name out of it. Sounds like there are more problems than the dog in this home.

[loving two dachsie's]

Yes, this is a town home community. I think I may call the condo assoc. and run it by them.

I also want to talk to some of the nieghbors and get their view on it. These people live in a different court then me so I have never seen this dog around my house.

I am going to drive by their today on my way out to work and see if the dog is out.

Maybe if the other neighbors are concerned or even upset about a dog out all the time this family may not know who called to report them.

If I do decide to report, who should I call. My local Humane Society or ASPCA. If I call Animal control I am afraid for the dog if its out running.

I will continue to look for everyones advice on this. Thanks again,

Linda

[Penny's Aunt]

There's another option, illegal, but I have used it a couple of times.

Steal the dog.

If he's out all the time, it shouldn't be too hard. Carry something yummy in your pocket, like cubes of cheese or dried liver, & drop it near the dog so he knows where it comes from. Then head for home. He will probably start to follow, so drop more pieces on the way.

When you get him home, take him directly to the vet. Then contact rescue about this poor "abandoned" dog.

The law is basically useless regarding animals unless the news media is involved. We have 3 meth houses in my neighborhood, & 1 of them appears to have a stolen standard poodle. The law basically told the woman she was on her own. Of course, they know of the meth houses, too, & aren't doing anything about THEM, either.

Maybe all they're capable of arresting are jelly donuts.

[georgette]

For the record I agree with Penny's Aunt.
I also think asking the neighbors might not even cause them to blink.

[loving two dachsie's]

Hi everyone,

I went over that way again today to snoop around. I saw one of the neighbors ( I do know her from up at our pool). Basically I asked her what she knew about the little dog that is always out. She said "oh, you mean Mugsy"? She went on to tell me that the family is going though a divorce and its just the dad and the kids right now. The dog is out alot and she said the only thing that bothers her is that Mugsy does do-do on the lawns. I told her about my concern and she said that she knows the dog was recently hit by a car and they did take him to the vet, thats why its hair is thin in spots from being shaved. Then I brought up my concern about the fleas, she was not sure about that.

I told her I am very serious about the humane treatment of animals and I was concerned with the looks of this dog. She said that the one thing she does know is that the father is really nice , just a bit overwhelmed with the divorce . Apparently he is getting custody of the kids. She also said that the middle boy (I guess the one I was talkihg to on Sunday) is very attached to this dog. Mugsy follows him everywhere.

What I think I am going to do is try to question a few more people and keep my eyes open. I am changing Baileys walk route so I can see whats happening without it looking too shifty.

When I was there on Sunday one of the things the boy said to me was" You can bring Bailey by to see me dog anytime" So I will have to do just that. Though I do not want Bailey getting fleas. He is on Advantage anyway.

Thanks again for all your responses, I will keep you all posted.

Linda

BTW: I did ask her not to say anything, and she seemed really cool about it. She said she lives about 5 doors down from them and its just a Hi, Bye neighbor thing because his kids are older adn she has a little baby . She also said she though it was great to see people concerned about animals, and she understood. I do believe she was being genuine and honest. I hope....