I am FUMING (Neighbor Vent)

You're right, of course, Anne. First things they will do is feed her and do blood tests. If she responds to simply eating and the tests come back negative, then they will determine it was neglect and prosecute from there. When the ACO's go back to look at the other dog, the owners can certainly have their say. If the ACO's have a seizure warrant, then can take the dog, anyway. Later, a judge would make a final decision.
 

Anne,
If this were any one of my other neighbors I would feel that way but because it is this one particular neighbor I know that this dog was neglected.  When I first moved in I went over to introduce myself and from that conversation I could tell that these people felt that the world was against them and that nothing was ever their fault, no matter what poor choices they made. 
 
The family is made up of the Mom, who is in her 40's, and her two daughters.  One who is in her early 20's and the other who is around 15.  Also living there are the older daughters kids who are around 6, 2 and 6 months.  So there are plenty of people in the house to make sure the dog gets fed.  Their backyard is tiny (about 5 x 15 feet) yet they never seem to notice when their dogs have gotten out (which is constant).  The last time I went and told them that their dogs were running loose, they sent the 6 year old to go get them cause the 20 year old declared that she was not going to chase after them anymore.   The haven't paid their trash bill so the trash company came and took their cans away.  So now the trash just either gets throw in their garage or just left in the driveway, sometimes not even in a bag... 
 
Talking to these eople doesn't work no matter how polite you are, they just don't care.

It's heartbreaking just reading what had happen to that dog.  No dog, cat or any animals should be treated that way!!  That neightbor should be put to jail for this!!  You had done something good and I hope that dog would bounce back to a healthy stage.

I just have to post about this.

I too, rescued a dog that was being starved to death. She was a full-grown yellow lab who weighed 35 lbs when she desperately climbed into my truck. She wanted to get away from where she was so badly!

When she was finally fed and healthy again she weighed 60 lbs.

She had tags. She had a shock collar on. I though she'd been lost in the Sandia Mountains (I found her in the fancy rich peoples' neighborhood as I visited a computer client) because she looked like she'd just come from doggy Auschwitz. The vet was shocked and said he'd never seen anything this bad before.

I called them and was told "Oh, gee, we didn't notice she was gone. We were redoing the fence, she's only been gone three hours."

Well, to make a long story short I didn't give her back, and I got a phone call from the "Humane Association" accusing me of "stealing" a dog. Hunh. Then they put a child on the phone and had him plead, "Please give my dog back!" Even though they were clearly starving her to death.

So it does happen. People starve their dogs to death and feel they have every right to do so. Luckily for both these doggies, they got second chances! Good on ya, Amy!!!

Hey Amy[]
      Any News yet and the dog? Hope those idiots really get in trouble. Po thang[]

If I saw that, I'd have nightmares for a year. Thanks so much. Not to be negative, but you are dealing with terrible people and unfortunately,  laws that are equally terrible sometimes. I say this because, there is a chance that the little dog could be given back to these people if they "promise" to take care of it. I say this, because I know of a similiar circumstance. And, if that did happen and if it was my neighbor, quite frankly, at the very first opportunity, the dog would be missing from their home, they might een have a breakin, and I would conspire with some other people I know to help find it a good home. And, quite frankly, if this did happen, I would not remember a thing about it if I was asked. Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands.Surely, the little aminals can't.   Liz

Golly maybe my own crazy neighbors aren't that bad after all.
 
I'm sorry that this happened to you and I hope it works out for the best for the dog you rescued and the little one left behind. 
 
It really shocks my that they could have such apathy towards the pet they already have and yet want another one!!!  I guess that is the allure of a puppy.  I just don't understand it. 

I'm just now seeing this thread (just starting to use this new format).  I echo all the things everyone has said, Amy, about your wonderful efforts on that sweet baby's behalf, and I'm praying there is a happy outcome.  Being the cynic I am, and having had some bad experiences with equally cruel neighbors, I worry that the poor dog will end up back with them.  If not, they'll simply do the same thing to the new dog eventually, once the novelty wears off.
 
We had neighbors a few years ago who had an old, overweight dog who was tied on a 6-foot lead to a weight bench in the dark garage, 24 hours day, with only a half-circle of space to excercise and eliminate.  They even left her in there over weekends when they went away, with a huge bowl of food and water.  We called authorities, but since she had food, water and shelter, they wouldn't do anything.  She got out a couple times, and whenever I brought her back, they barely acknowledged me or her.  One day I saw a new puppy in the backyard with the teenage daughters, and I heard another neighbor say, "Oh, you have a new puppy!  Did your other dog pass away?"  And the mother said, with a clearly obvious annoyed tone, "No, she's still alive."  You could almost hear the word "Unfortunately" at the end of her sentence.  I decided if she got out again, I wouldn't bring her back.  We relocated shortly after, and I always feel sad when I think of her.  When Tonka was in his final days, I constantly told him to visit neglected animals on earth once he was an angel at the Bridge, and to find our neighbor's dog at the Bridge someday, too, so he could share all his extra love with her.  All I know is that there has to be a special place in H*** for people like that.
 
Again, bless you Amy for your efforts, and your reaction is exactly how I'd have been.  Just the image you described is making me cry.  Keep us posted.