Dog Community

I don't know what to do here...

Posted : 7/10/2006 7:37:39 PM

I've got a big problem. My next door neighbor has a wonderful dog...he's a beagle mix that looks alot like a catahoula (which is what he was adopted as) and I have heard from a 3rd party that she has physically abused him.

Xerxes and I were going outside for a walk, she was out there with Tiger and they began playing. Xerxes slipped his collar and was tearing up and down, Tiger was running off lead (as usual.) We called the dogs back, Tiger came to me and Xerxes came to her. He layed right down and then she knelt on him and put her hand on the side of his neck. I told her, rather gruffly, that she didn't need to do that to him, I had the situation under control. I then offered to take the two dogs on a walk, since Tiger spends around 14 hours a day in his crate (too much for a 16month old dog.)

We did the walk, and then I took Tiger into my place. A couple of times I went to pet him and he just slunk away, as if in fear. Then my neighbor drove up, I got Tiger ready to go and she left. So I got to talking with another neighbor outside and she said that they watched, a few months ago, as my neighbor threw the dog onto the sidewalk and was beating him and screaming at him.

I ended up taking both dogs to the park and they both had a great time. I have now volunteered myself to take him for walks everyday after work. And I'm going to get him the attention that he needs...

But what do I do about the physical abuse? The signs are there. He obeys out of fear, he slinks away and cowers if you grab at him. Can I report suspected abuse if the dog has no outward signs of it, especially if it's based on hearsay? I'm torn. I can offer this guy a much better homelife, with lots of love and attention and another dog for a best friend. Should I just offer to keep him for a while?

Please help me out, you guys and gals are an incredible source of info and knowledge.

Xebby

Posted : 7/10/2006 7:51:33 PM

I'm afrade that if you offer to keep him than she will only get anouther dog to abuse. No problem fixed. I don't know what the laws are in your area but you need to get with your local animal control and see what you can report.

Mayber even see an animal behavoralist who can eveluate the dog for any behavors related to an abuse and get a report from the behavoralist and use that as evidence.

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/11/2006 12:09:59 AM

If you want him and he would make a nice addition to your family and be a great friend for Xerxes then I say by all means offer to keep him. Do you think she would give him to you?

I hate stories like this because no dog deserves this kind of life. The spirit that they have inside and the love and friendship... I just get so sad to think of what some are doomed to. Still though, good enough not to attack the abuser... I know I would want to if I was a dog....

She may just go get another but maybe not. Maybe she has realized its not for her...? I would think if someone was willing to give up their dog then they have decided against it. That may be giving too much credit to stupid people though.

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/11/2006 12:10:50 AM

Maybe offer to keep this one and IF she does go get another and the same thing goes on then report her.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/11/2006 7:26:49 AM

For right now, Tiger will be going on our afternoon walks and going to the dog park with us every evening. My neighbor gave me her key so I'm just going to keep him with me as much as I can every evening. And if she lets me have him for weekend days, I'll take him then. He's clearly not happy where he is and he listens more out of fear than anything else.

The other thing I'm going to do is alot of +R training and reassurance. I think he acts out with his owner from boredom and lonliness.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/13/2006 1:33:17 PM

Update:

Myself and another neighbor have been taking turns with Tiger. He'll walk with Xerxes and myself one day, and with the neighbors and their dog, Lucy, the next. I'm really happy that as a group we're taking the initiative to help Tiger out.

spiritdogs

Posted : 7/13/2006 5:58:21 PM

Nice of you to help Tiger out. The more you do, the more contact you may have with her. Who knows, if you do all that +R, maybe she will grow to like her dog, even if she didn't have anything to do with how terrific he becomes...or, maybe she will confide in you that she really would like to rehome him.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/13/2006 10:01:58 PM

Thanks spiritdogs, it breaks my heart to know how great of a dog he is and how much greater he can be...instead he has been crated for 10+hours/day.

BTW, I love your signature.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/17/2006 9:09:57 PM

I've got 2 photos of Tiger...he's a real cutie

olinda

Posted : 7/17/2006 9:53:22 PM

It is a difficult situation you find yourself in. Bless you for taking care of Tiger.

Maybe, in conversation you could say something along the lines that, you have noticed how well he gets along with Xerxes and you have been thinking about another dog, if she ever finds herself thinking that he has gotten to be too much, you would jump at the opportunity to have him, since they know and really like each other.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Xebby

Posted : 7/17/2006 11:01:38 PM

Awww... he is a great looking dog! So glad your taking care of him the way he needs it. Good luck with everything!