Dog Community

Is NOT grooming a crime?

Posted : 7/24/2006 11:32:50 PM

So about three houses down from me is a black chow who is tied in the frount yard. About a year ago he was not tied and animal control gave the owner a warning that the dog better be tied or fenced in or they would take the dog. Fine, so the owners tied it to a tree in their front yard, the tree being the dogs only shade, with a water bowl next to it. They followed the rules for my town so there was nothing more that could be done to punish them. The rules are basic a dog must be tied or fence in, have shade and access to food and water.

Now that same chow has been tied there for a year, probly never has been taken off that line. He gets food and water except he is never groomed. It's 100+ degrees outside and this black chow has matts just stuck on his fur. The only part of him that I can even see that doesn't have chunks of matt is his face. His tail is just one large lump of fur. Can I report these people somehow for not grooming their dog? They are following the rules the county requires to own a dog. Is there anything I can do?

This is not their only dog, they have a young pit probly about 6 months old that is tied to a truck on the side of their home, still they follow the basic rules with this pup. I can't understany why they even got that pup but it really makes me upset. Both dog are very agressive toward anyone who gets close to them, the line they are on allows then to walk on the sidewalk so anyone who passes by has to get away as these growling barking dogs come chasing towards them, I assume it's because the lack of socilizing them.

Luvntzus

Posted : 7/25/2006 3:49:07 AM

ORIGINAL: Xebby

So about three houses down from me is a black chow who is tied in the frount yard. About a year ago he was not tied and animal control gave the owner a warning that the dog better be tied or fenced in or they would take the dog. Fine, so the owners tied it to a tree in their front yard, the tree being the dogs only shade, with a water bowl next to it. They followed the rules for my town so there was nothing more that could be done to punish them. The rules are basic a dog must be tied or fence in, have shade and access to food and water.

Now that same chow has been tied there for a year, probly never has been taken off that line. He gets food and water except he is never groomed. It's 100+ degrees outside and this black chow has matts just stuck on his fur. The only part of him that I can even see that doesn't have chunks of matt is his face. His tail is just one large lump of fur. Can I report these people somehow for not grooming their dog? They are following the rules the county requires to own a dog. Is there anything I can do?

This is not their only dog, they have a young pit probly about 6 months old that is tied to a truck on the side of their home, still they follow the basic rules with this pup. I can't understany why they even got that pup but it really makes me upset. Both dog are very agressive toward anyone who gets close to them, the line they are on allows then to walk on the sidewalk so anyone who passes by has to get away as these growling barking dogs come chasing towards them, I assume it's because the lack of socilizing them.

One thing that I'm almost positive that you can report them for is the dogs' lines reaching the sidewalk- especially with the dogs being aggressive. It's a threat to public safety. It's no real surprise that they're aggressive [

], they probably feel extremely vulnerable being TIED outside 24/7. Plus, being chained definitely encourages a dog to be territorial.

I feel really bad for those dogs... how could someone do that to an animal!? Basically they're just leaving the dogs in one spot to rot for their whole life. [

]

I do think that a dog being matted is a form of abuse/neglect. I know when I worked at a vet and they shaved down severely matted dogs (more like shearing a sheep), the skin underneath was always very unhealthy. It would get scabby, scaley and itchy from the lack of air circulation. Plus, having mats all over a dog's body is PAINFUL. And with a dog like the Chow, I'd think he would be suffering really badly in the heat.

I would definitely call animal control and let them know all your concerns. I think they can do something about at least a few of them.

felicity

Posted : 7/25/2006 5:22:44 AM

when the dog is a breed that needs to be groomed to stay healthy then yes, i think it's a crime, iv'e heard of people being charged in America for having matted dogs, i would definately report them because what they are doing is cruel, laws need to be so much stricter for pets, just because it's a dog it doesn't seem to bother anyone if it's unhappy...i'd like to tie them up for a few years and see how they like it.

they say that it has the bare essentials when really it doesn't, dogs need company, love, attention and care, if someone doesn't provide those things for their dog then they are being cruel, i just wish the laws would change because no living thing should have to put up with that type of treatment [

]

some people just sicken me....

felicity

Xebby

Posted : 7/25/2006 8:05:57 AM

I have done full body shaves on very matted dogs and cats. I have seen what it does to the skin and over all health of the animal which is why I am concerned about this dog. By far this dog is on the extream side of matting. When A client brings the animal into the vet for a shave I do not try o judge the owner, I only tell myselt at least they are making an attempt to better the animal. In this case I don't see any attempt to even give the dog what he needs and only give him the basic that the law allows.

A few weeks ago anouther neighbor had a dog who's nose looked like it had a fungus growing on it and was untreated for about a week. Thoe owner had no intention of taking the dog to a vet. I called the local animal control but they only told me that unless it was life threghtning then they couldn't do anything. Eventuly the nose got better but I was still upset. I hate to be the tattle tail of the community but it pains me to see these dogs in my own neighborhood with shuch awful neglect.

Now with these two dog in that yard I know that if they are taking away they have been so far neglected that it would be impossible to rehome. I can almost guess that they would be PTS if taken from these owners. Even the pit at around 6 mo. is very agressive and I don't know if it's to late to even give him a chance.

chewbecca

Posted : 7/25/2006 8:31:45 AM

these kind of stories upset me.
I think what the owners are putting these poor dogs through is neglect. What happens when one of the dogs break free from the chains or start biting the owners? What happens when someone's little tot runs from their parents' when walking by the house and goes up to the dog, not knowing any better, and gets bitten?
If authorities would see THESE types of acts as neglect, maybe we could weed out the bad owners and there wouldn't need to be bans on specific breeds.

Steve Malanga

Posted : 7/25/2006 11:37:18 AM

I remember watching an episode of animal cops in which aspca agents were called about a dog who was not groomed and whose fur was all matted. They gave the owner the option of grooming her or having her taken away. So, in some juristictions, at least, it is an offense. I would check with your state SPCA, which usually knows animal cruelty laws.

Xebby

Posted : 7/25/2006 1:26:48 PM

I saw that episode also

Just to give you an idea here is the house with the dog. I snaped this shot as I was driving by. The tree is where the line is attached, the blue bucket is where the water is and that black fuzz kinda behind the tree is the dog. Sorry thats the best pic I could get of the dog without being so obvious.

nyiceprincess

Posted : 7/25/2006 11:32:50 PM

I have seen a dog with mats so bad that there were maggots breeding below in the wounds on the skin.It can be life threatening! Around here the dog wardens wont usually do much but the local humane society will in some cases.The dog may be in pain and is surely very uncomfortable,this may be the cause of some of the agression.There may be hope for them!

willowchow

Posted : 7/25/2006 11:45:03 PM

Oh, it kills me to see the chow like that. I noticed it's as close to their door as it can get. [&:]

And, you are right it would be very difficult (but not entirely impossible) to re-home him. Willow was tied much further from the home that that and was extremely difficult and still is to this day but it can be done. I had no dog let alone chow experience. But, I did work at it and devote a lot of time and still do.

Anyway, I would call and maybe they can get them to get the dog groomed. The matting does become a health issue. And, definately the tie out should be shortened. It was odd, Willow was not aggressive when she was tied. But, I'm sure most would be.

I really hope you call them. Please keep me posted. They are lucky I'm not their neighbor, the dog would be "missing" by now.

Luvntzus

Posted : 7/26/2006 8:06:45 AM

ORIGINAL: Xebby

Now with these two dog in that yard I know that if they are taking away they have been so far neglected that it would be impossible to rehome. I can almost guess that they would be PTS if taken from these owners. Even the pit at around 6 mo. is very agressive and I don't know if it's to late to even give him a chance.

Honestly, I think euthanasia is a kinder option than living the life they are, especially the Chow with that thick coat matted to the skin. [

]