Dog Community

SO angry...inadvertantly "saved" a puppy...sorta.

Posted : 12/17/2006 11:00:30 PM

Sigh. Before I start, I just want to say, I'm not in this to get flamed. I realize that this was NOT a good decision, but it was made in the heat of the moment and with the best intentions possible. I realize the repurcussions of "supporting" this type of breeding...but the bottom line is, these puppies needed help and I there wasn't much else I could do.

So. I went to the flea market today just to look around. This flea market is full of...well, not the highest caliber

eople in the world. ALOT of BYBers come there to sell sickly puppies...mostly huge hippo staffies and the like. I was going to just ignore all of these people, as usual, and go about my business. But then, one table caught my eye...

This guy had a table full of *tiny* puppies. Definitely not old enough to be totally weaned, and I thought for sure he was just taking deposits on them...not selling them. I was wrong. [

] I just hovered around the table and listened to this guy talk for a while. He was telling people that these puppies were "almost" five weeks old...so they're four weeks. He said they'd been eating solids for a week now...so he started weaning them at three weeks. He went on to say that he took them from their mother at three weeks and gave them nothing but canned food until they were so hungry they gave in and ate it, so that they would be weaned in time to sell for christmas. So these four week old puppies had been eating nothing but cheap canned dog food for over a week.

I started to walk off in disgust at this point...and then the guy kept talking. He was describing to someone how they could dock and crop the puppies ears at home, WITH SCISSORS. [

] I kept listening, and he also mentioned that he kept them all outside...and went on to talk about how the bitch was a really good mother, because she "dug a hole for them and everything." So these puppies had been raised outside, in a hole dug by their poor mother. I was speechless. I started to walk away again, but didn't.

I asked "What kind of dogs are they?"

He pointed to two dogs chained to his truck...not visible from the table. "Boxer and staffie." He said. The dad was definitely a boxer, but the mom definitely looked more pit than staffie to me. Both of them were friendly dogs overall, but they weren't in the greatest shape. He also mentioned that he had bred the female several times...and she was only 3. Angry

So again...I take a deep breath and start to walk away. I still didn't make it. [

]

Just as I turn to leave, a couple, holding one of the male puppies, starts talking about how they could breed him to their english bulldog and "make lots of money"...and then started asking the "breeder" to explain again how to crop and dock the puppy at home with scissors. Angry

I was in shock. I couldn't stand it anymore. I have no idea what went through my mind at that moment, but I grabbed that puppy out of that horrible man's hands, fished 2 twenties out of my pocket (the puppies were 30 bucks) slammed them down on the table, said "I'll take this one" and stomped off.

I spent a good 10 minuts just stomping up and down the various isles and fuming. I had never heard or seen people be so blatantly cruel to animals in my life...and there were many more people there doing the same thing. It was honestly 10 minutes or so bfore I looked down at what I was holding and realized that I had just....bought a puppy.

I panicked right then. I already have three dogs. What the heck was I going to do with this tiny, wormy, puppy? My first instinct was "Oh my god, you have to take it back. Right now."

I kept walking for a while, trying to calm things down and work things out in my head. I decided that there was no way I could give him back to that horrible man and doom him to some terrible life chained to a tree in someone's backyard. If he lived at all. I had no idea what I was going to do.

I met up with my husband, expecting him to freak out...but he was oddly okay with it. He said that he would have done the same thing I had in that situation, and that really, it wasn't the worst decision in the world. He *just* got a 600 a month jump in pay. We can afford this dog financially. I'm home all day. I have the time. We have an extra bedroom and a huge backyard...if temperament problems ever arise, we have the means to seperate him from our other dogs.

As he explained it to me I calmed down a bit...I wasn't a complete moron for taking this puppy. Still...I may just foster him until he's old enough. I don't know yet. Right now I'm just glad he's out of that situation.

Yes, I know that I'm awful for supporting what is probably one of the worst BYBs ever. Just understand that I was so angry that I was really, really, REALLY not thinking at all when I got him. All I saw was a bunch of tiny puppies, much too young to be away from mom, about to be sold into some pretty crappy lives. I got emotional and yes, I made a completely irrational decision. I accept full responsiblity for my actions.

I hope everyone doesn't completely flame me for this...just know that I really did have the best intentions.

I have bottle raised many animlas in my lifetime...just never any puppies. He seems healthy overall, just wormy. Right now the plan is to give him formula twice a day, and then offer him, every two hours, some ground beef and canned dog food soaked in formula. I'm going to be seriously researching raw for puppies starting now. He needs to be wormed, and while he isn't due for his first shots for another couple of weeks, I'll probably go ahead and take him in just to be looked over, to make sure there's nothing glaringly wrong with him.

I would report this guy, but I have none of his contact info...he was just some guy selling puppies at the flea market. I should have called the cops right then...but it honestly didn't occur to me. If I ever see hm there again, I will.

So, yeah....I got a puppy today. A boxer/pit mix....of course, bully breeds are my faves, so I've got no complaints there. [

]

And of course, this thread would be useless without pics. [

]

Michelle

Posted : 12/17/2006 11:21:16 PM

I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing. What a precious baby, ripped from it's momma so young! Are there any kind of regulations on what can be sold at these flea markets? I mean, even Ebay has some standards, you'd think the places that hold these things could be convinced that they need to prohibit the selling of live animals because it's a health hazard and they're potentially liable or something like that. This seems like something state legislatures should be addressing.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/17/2006 11:27:57 PM

Soooooooooooo, what are you gonna call him, Mom?? Moses? (he was saved from death as a baby by a woman who simply did the right thing at the right time because she had a good heart and then ... even tho he wasn't her social equal she raised him to be one of the best leaders the world has ever known??).

Sorry -- don't mean to be religious but seeing you holding that puppy in the air sure seemed like he got snagged out of the bullrushes to me!!

And ... in case you haven't guessed by now, I'm not about to flame you -- because Moses' mother ranks way up there on my list of Biblical heros. Cos you DO know that's what you are ... YOU are a hero. And way up there on the list is your husband.

Sometimes we all do what we GOTTA do at the moment. Your decision making is sound -- if you can place him and find him a great home do it. OR ... maybe he's a keeper.

Shoot -- one time I was on my way home (and it was just exactly at this time of year) - I had taken a friend to pick her son up at his Dad's (major bad part of town -- 'Dad' was absolute trash which is why she'd divorced him). I was sitting there in my car and this kid was trying to put something into a dumpster -- I saw him struggling but was trying not to 'stare'. Next thing I know he's banging on my car window...

"Hey lady -- do you want a puppy? PUHLEEESE??? My mother says I have to throw him away or I won't get any supper. Please lady -- will ya take him??"

My friend came back to the car about then -- and apparently people in that neighbhorhood just plain throw a pup away IN A DUMPSTER. No more value to life than that.

What'd I do? I took him home. He drove my 2 dogs crazy -- but I got him old enough TO place ... and "Molkie" (remember Fraggle Rock?) - when I did adopt him out -- he got adopted by a quadriplegic in a wheelchair -- he was wanting to train his own companion dog and he wanted a good strong pit mix but I'd done a good job of socializing him so he took Molkie.

You did the right thing. Your social life this Christmas is gonna be zero cos you're gonna be too busy keeping this pup busy.

Don't vaccinate him til he's at least 10 weeks old. His Mom's colostrum is probably pretty hearty or they wouldn't have survived this far. DO take him in to the vet -- you'll likely have to worm him more than once.

But you're gonna feel good because you DID A GOOD THING. No, you didn't 'support' a byb -- you rescued a dog. And sometimes ... and those who do trenches rescue will agree with me -- SOMETIMES you do what you gotta do to get a dog away from an evil-doer. So you trade them a case of beer or you do whatever you gotta do -- but, you did your best. And dang, girl -- I like your style. You didn't just pic up one puppy -- you snagged the one they were looking at ... you BROKE the concentration, and you were obviously mad when you did it. You gave the Alpha of all Alphas a chance to distract one of them and make them pass on a pup.

You did good. Take care -- and take heart. And if anyone tries to flame you I'll throw water on THEM. You don't deserve to be flamed -- you deserve a hug.

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 12/17/2006 11:35:53 PM

Sometimes it feels great to do something totally out of character. My BF stays at my side at all times at flea markets, adoption days at Petsmart/Petco, Walmart parking lot, because I have and would again do the same thing. BF jokes that if we could afford it, he would go to work with me daily to insure that I was not coming home with any more dogs. (3 have come from work, 2 more from Walmart parking lot after calling police/animal control)

So I guess the question of the day is... What are you naming him?

rwbeagles

Posted : 12/17/2006 11:36:03 PM

Many areas do now have laws on the books that pups cannot be offered for sale before 8 weeks. It really just takes a call to PD and AC...here they'd have had the guy packed up and gone.

Our flea market is truly humungous tho. The folks selling the pups there have storefront/shops and are obviously mills or BYB's...but the pups are of age and it's not illegal to sell dogs...so PD options are limited. I have seen them move along or cite people selling on the road just outside the Pulga tho...which was heartening to see. It's sad.

I wouldn't have done it...but I'd have called PD because I did witness someone advising and endorsing cruelty to animals with the cutting the ears thing, and were his adult dogs wearing proper county required tags that were current?? LOL...

Might also have just stood and told them what I thought of them...maybe they'd hit me or something and get arrested and the animal's would ALL have been confiscated.

I have dogs at home that I cannot risk exposing to things like Brucie, and kids to worry about ringworm, tapes, sarcoptes, rabies, and such so taking one would simply not be an option. I don't think you were wrong to do so tho...Rats. I will say tho we do get stories here about Walmart Parking lot pups and kittens then testing positive for rabies...so really I'd keep that wee pup away from your other dogs for a bit...and also in reverse...they can be carrying things they themselves are immune to....that may infect the pup.

loveukaykay

Posted : 12/17/2006 11:47:37 PM

I dont think you deserve to be flamed either. You saved a dog. I probably would have bought every puppy he had and told him and everyone around why and what I thought of it. I dont know what I would have done with them, but it would sure be better than whatever he was doing. I hope those people you took the pup from didnt just buy another one[

].

What you paid was not enough to support him, I know it seems like you were...but... think of it as the adoption fee from the shelter he probably would have ended up in later on.[

]

ETA: I do wish you would have called on him tho... hopefully he wont be able to do this much longer.

willowchow

Posted : 12/18/2006 12:40:26 AM

I don't blame you one bit. I would of done the same thing. And, Willow is here because DH said, "there was just no way I was leaving her there".

Shannon Teoh

Posted : 12/18/2006 12:49:38 AM

3 cheers for you! I would have done the same as well. Just the thought of the poor critters gets me incensed with anger. Ya, I would probably have bought all the pups, told the guy off nicely, and reported him to SPCA as well.

ladiebug

Posted : 12/18/2006 12:49:47 AM

Nope, no flaming! Just a big HUG and pat on the back for saving that adorable pup!

Yeah, I know what you mean, BYB's really @$*@%$ me! Unfortunately there's too many of them everywhere! Around here, you see them in trucks along the road selling pups. I've had people at the dog park boast about these "great breeders" where they got their dogs. Then they ask me if I want the number and give me dirty looks, or curse me sometimes, when I tell them I refuse to support those monsters! I can't understand WHY people would buy a dog (cat) when there's so many being destroyed daily at the shelters! [&o]
I guess that's one of the reasons I prefer dogs to (most) people, I can understand them!

God bless you! [sm=angel.gif]

Luvntzus

Posted : 12/18/2006 1:51:51 AM

I would never flame anyone for rescuing a dog, whether they to pay to get the dog out of that situation or not. Reading the part about the man telling people to crop the puppies ears with scissors made me see red! And selling puppies at 4 weeks old!!! Grrrr. That is horrible! [

]

Rwbeagles is right, the best thing to do would have been to call the police. The man was breaking several laws. I'm pretty sure most areas have laws about selling puppies under 8 or at the very least, 6 weeks of age. Then the fact that he was advocating animal cruelty with the ear "cropping" and as rwbeagles said, his dogs may not have been licensed, etc. That would have been hilarious if, instead of getting $$$ for selling "christmas puppies" he had ended up with some hefty fines and his dogs confiscated. If I were you I'd go back to the same flea market and look for him, but that's just me...

I would definitely keep the puppy away from your other dogs, (including a sectioned off potty area in the yard) until he gets a clean bill of health . Lots of parasites and parvo can be passed through fecal matter. And even if your older dogs are vaccinated, it's not 100% protection from diseases. Good luck with the little guy! And even if you only foster him, you did a great thing saving him!

Raja19

Posted : 12/18/2006 2:31:30 AM

I think alot of people on this site would have done the same thing or at least would have called ac or pd. You should definetly not be flamed for your decision, because of you this puppy will have a good life he would have never gotten to have if it weren't for you. Good luck with the pup and he is ADORABLE!

gayle

Posted : 12/18/2006 3:17:32 AM

i have nothing bad to say about you, dh acquired my dog under very similar circumstances, it's easy to say "dont support byb's", but not when you are looking one of the pups in the face. and that pups face is really really cute.

maybe you could alert the local animal control authorities about the situation at the flea market. maybe you could even go back yourself and see if that guy is still there and take down his contact information (to pass on to the authorities), he probably will assume you want it for more pups or something so i imagine he would be willing to give it out.

you saved that puppy from a life of certain hell, i'm glad you did and i hope you enjoy every minute with that adorable little guy.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 12/18/2006 4:38:25 AM

i agree! you did a good thing.
sometimes the thing you shouldn't do is the right thing to do. i have two dogs that i shouldn't have, but if i was put in the same situation, i would do the same thing again.
you're a doggy hero!!

Stacita

Posted : 12/18/2006 7:33:47 AM

Well congratulations Mom! An early Christmas for you I guess and certainly one for this poor puppy who had no other chance of getting a decent home. What you did may not have been correct by the books, but I can tell you that on a weekend around here unless he was actually demonstrating ear cropping via scissors, they wouldn't have made it out there. We can all read about what we are supposed to do in dog related situations, but unless you have emotions it's just abstract garbage.

I would still call animal control and the police. There's a good chance that the guy or someone like him will be there next weekend for those "Last Minute Christmas Gifts". If they have a report on file, they will then be able to schedule someone to go out there. I'd really love for that to be his last minute Christmas gift.

I second the name Moses--Mo for short.

You didn't save the world, but you saved one puppy's world.

spiritdogs

Posted : 12/18/2006 7:55:49 AM

Here's what I would do now. Take him to your vet yesterday and get a professional estimation of his age. Then, call you law enforcement agency that handles pet sales (SPCA, state veterinarian, whoever). Inform them of the practices going on at that flea market. Next, call your state representative and ask what the laws are regarding the age at which an animal can be legally sold. If it isn't 8 weeks or better, explain why it is important to wait that long, and ask the rep to file legislation for you that will require it (you'd be surprised at how fast some reps will do this - helping kids and puppies makes them look really good LOL). Then, take your puppy everywhere - socialize the crap out of him and tell his story - the same way you told it to us - until no one in your area visits that flea market until they stop selling puppies. If you can get some dog people to picket the place, the local news might cover it if you can guarantee them a crowd.
I would not flame you for this one. Your heart ruled your head - and how fortunate for this little guy. We've all been there a time or two.