Dog Community

To report or not to report

Posted : 1/5/2007 5:36:53 PM

A young (early 20s) couple rents the house on the same lot as ours. It's a little one-bedroom with a nice backyard. One of the reasons why they moved into the house was because the young man decided he wanted a dog and bought a beautiful Pitt Bull, and they couldn't stay in the apartment. In the course of getting to know them a little, he explained that he would be working from home and would be spending plenty of time with the dog. And, initially, that's what happened.

Fast forward 4 months - to a now large, hyper, badly-behaved 6-month old Pitt - and we have discovered that in the 6-8 weeks he has had to go into the office every day rather than work from home. He leaves his dog tied in the garage all day while he's gone and doesn't seem to do much with him when he gets home. Certainly the dog is not getting the walking and discipline that it needs. I did not learn this until a few weeks ago when I was in the laundry room and heard the dog barking and howling. My husband went and got the whole story, and he's tried to get the young man to just leave the dog in the backyard - it's gated, it's securely fenced in; the dog would be fine back there. This young man has persisted in tying his dog up in the garage when he leaves.

I think this borders on, if not is, animal cruelty, and I want to report it. But, my husband points out that we also want to maintain good relations with the neighbors. I thought about offering to walk the dog every day, but at 8months pregnant, I don't know that I have the coordination to control him. The dog, when we've seen him, has become very rambunctious, and at 6 months old, he's already big enough and strong enough to knock me down. He spends the day howling, barking and crying in the garage and clearly needs more attention. I'm concerned, and probably with good reason. What would you do in this situation?

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 1/5/2007 6:40:19 PM

Well you live in California as do I and they just passed a law that you cannot leave your dog tied for more then 3 hours a day. You can make a anonymous call to animal control and use the barking as the main reason. If the is barking then any neighbor could have been the one to contact AC and hopefully there is a window the AC can peak into and see that the dog is being tied up. Its terrible for the dog, for his health, physical well being, and future temperment.
If you really wanna walk the dog.....its a great exersice for pregnant women then tell him to buy the dog a genlt elead so he cant pull. My sister walked her pit through both her pregnancies and after, with the stroller and the pounds flew off......I mean that is IF you want to walk the dog, its obviously not your responsibility at all

jones

Posted : 1/5/2007 6:50:02 PM

Is he just in the garage or actually tied up in it?

a_ryan

Posted : 1/5/2007 6:56:30 PM

Is he just in the garage or actually tied up in it?

Tied up in a corner of it.

Well you live in California as do I and they just passed a law that you cannot leave your dog tied for more then 3 hours a day.

I know that passed, but my husband is all for warning these young adults and giving them a chance to change, but he's talked to the guy and clearly there hasn't been a change.

As for walking him...I'm still thinking about volunteering. I suppose I'd have to take him out for a short time and see how it goes. My concern is that at this point, he's hyper and mannerless and I don't want problems on the walk.

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 1/5/2007 7:05:58 PM

Well as a "young adult" he he we tend to think we know it all and he obviously hasnt heeded your hubby's advice.
Bottom line is whether.....are you going to let this young man continue to treat his dog terribly because you dont wanna rock the boat? I just cant comprehend witnessing abuse and not doing something about it. Put it this way.....if that was a dog that YOUR dog had sired or given birht to would you even hesitate? Your almost contributing to it by not saying something.

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 1/5/2007 9:18:23 PM

I don't know how CA is but in TX if I were to report this, the animal control officer is not allowed to disclose who reported them. The only way I would be revealed would be if the case went to court.

Sherrie Porter

Posted : 1/5/2007 10:02:47 PM

By all means report, report, report!!! They won't know it was you and that poor dog is suffering. As is obvious by the barking and howling. Please do something! Be the voice for that poor thing. The last thing you would want is a negleted, maltreated, attention starved dog to be growing up next door when you have a child about to be born. What happens a few years from now when your child tries to play with the nice puppy? That dog will bowl over a child easily, especially when starved for attention. If a change is made now, the dog still has a good chance at becoming a respectable, nice dog. Just my thoughts.

DE Lee

Posted : 1/7/2007 10:21:39 AM

my opinion...
if you have to ask...you should probably report!!!!
at least call or go down to local animal services and ask/tell them about it. They will decide what should be done from there.

luvmyswissy

Posted : 1/7/2007 11:18:15 AM

Personally I don't see anything wrong or cruel with managing your dog's safety while your not home. Whether it is tied, crated or blocked into a proofed room. It is safer than leaving the dog to his own devices. I also think your suggestion to leaving a dog outside is totally wrong, even in a gated fenced yard is not the answer. Leaving a dog in a yard while your not home when factors like heat and storms can be present are more apt to be looked at as inappropriate management than tying in the garage. There is nothing dangerous or cruel with what he has chosen to do. The problem is and many dogs who are contained have this issue in some way is his anxiety while he is left. The animal control people will find nothing wrong provided the dog is in good health, being loved and fed – IMO they would be more worried for a dog left outside all day, that's why that law was put into place.

Obviously the dog could use exercise and needs something to do while the man is at work. I would explain to my neighbor that his barking is excessive and bothersome and that maybe a good walk, game of Frisbee or ball at night or in the morning and a obedience class could really benefit his dog and would help him to release his pent up energy and… find things to give the dog to do. Like crated dogs, he needs a Kong and toys to help keep him busy and hopefully release his anxiety.

Not everyone is a perfect owner that does not mean they are cruel or abusive. Does the dog go in at night? Does the dog get fed? Does the dog get any attention? Probably. People don't research and find breeds that will fit into their home life sometimes and then they don't know how to satisfy the dog's needs for exercise and socialization and that's unfortunate but not cruel.

Just because a dog is barking does not mean he is mistreated, just that the owner isn't able to manage the dogs needs IMO. Any containment that keeps the dog safe is a good thing, not a bad thing provided it is not abused or the only form of life the dog has.

Kara

Posted : 1/7/2007 2:00:24 PM

Leave them a note that says people were trying to steal their dog that day. That may make them think twice about tying the dog outside.

Xerxes

Posted : 1/7/2007 2:58:00 PM

Personally I'd report it. If that law is in place, then you have something legal to back you up. In other parts of the country all the guy would have to prove is shelter, food & clean water...apparently that makes a good home...[8|]

jeano

Posted : 1/7/2007 4:31:18 PM

I think this is a case of dog ignorance and a young person. If you and your husband really care, spend some more time with the kid and explain things to him kindly. The kid obviously doesn't know what to do and needs help. Not punishment!

I would NOT report this at this juncture. Reporting it would likely get the dog put to death, and that's not an outcome we want. He's a pit bull and shelters tend to put them down.

Ask him if he has someone who can come and walk the dog during the day. Playing frisbee with him in the evening, walking him, etc. is a great idea. An obedience class is necessary, too, but he'll have to shop for one. Some classes won't take bully breeds.

Maybe the young man can come home lunch hours and walk his dog. Possibly the dog could go to doggy daycare. How much is the wife involved?

Leaving the dog in the backyard is only a bad idea because someone might steal him for dog fighting kor poison him because he's a pit bull. I'm sure that's why the kid is putting him in the garage, and he's tying him so he won't get into dangerous chemicals that are alway stored in garages.

Make friends with these kids and help them see what options they have.

mudpuppy

Posted : 1/8/2007 11:53:39 AM

I don't see much difference between locking your dog in a tiny crate all day (which many of you do and actually advocate doing) and leaving him tied up in the garage all day. The problem seems to be more that the dog isn't getting sufficient exercise and training, not that he's confined.

cairnterriers

Posted : 1/8/2007 6:10:34 PM

Hmmm...

That is kind of a sticky situation. You do want to maintain a nice relationship wit the neighbors, but it is animal cruelty. Walking the dog everyday would be a very nice tribute to this dog's health and training, but since you are 8 months pregnant, I probably wouldn't advise it. I would report this.

willowchow

Posted : 1/8/2007 7:22:45 PM

I'm with the people who don't see a problem with this. The only "problem" is that he's barking and carrying on. As long as he's not living tied in the garage and not starving and is JUST out there when they aren't home with water then I honestly don't see how that's abusive.

I agree it's not the best situation but I really don't see it as abuse either.