I Helped Save A Life

[jackaroo]

On my way home from work, I saw a line of traffic ahead of me. Coming to the crest of a hill, I saw an American Bull Dog walking in the middle of the road, in the 90 plus humid weather, obviously on a mission...to find his home. He had no tag that I could see from my car window. Several cars were riding behind him with flashers on, calling to him and whistling but he kept on walking on the hot road. One jerk stepped on the gas and tried to pass, almost hitting the poor animal. I went around the cars, made a uturn and came back, going around the dog and pulling down the road where I parked the car on the side of the road with the door open. as he came over the hill, I called to him that we should go for a ride and he jumped in. I closed the door, and he came up to the front seat and put his head in my lap..He was hot, sweaty and foaming at his mouth from the heat. His paws were bloody from walking, and he had cuts all over his body. A giant scar was on his leg. I knew he would not last long so I took him to the nearest animal hospital. They were great there and took him in the back where his temp was 105.5, almost to seizure level. They noticed the cuts and scars and the condition of his paw pads...they were worn away. Obviiously from a very long, hot walk on pavement. I gave them my credit card so they would treat him and luckily he had a microchip. They tracked down the owner whose story was that her Fiance had him on a walk and he had bolted because he was scared. The vet that microchipped the dog said he had a history of running away...red flag. The owner said her Fiance said the dog was gone for 30 minutes...red flag...not with paws like that. My seats were covered in blood. Well, bottom line..The owner was sweet, concerned and let me ask very probing questions. I am hopting that Hank (his name) is ok and happy to be home. The Fiance' needs lessons in taking care of a dog. I will give the lessons for free. Here are some pictures. He looks great but the pictures don't show the bloody paws, the giant scar on his leg, and all the cuts on his legs.


I want to follow up on this because I don't believe the stories from the owner or her Fiance. That dog had a horrible scar (new) on the back leg that even the vet was worried about. The owner said it was from rubbing against the fence. I don't think so.


Amy thoughts of how to follow up without offending the owner.

 

[Lolas Dad]

You might want to call the local animal control and let them know what happened and the dogs condition. They can also consult with the vet that treated the dog to get his opinion on the scars. They can then investigate and actually might have a history already on the dog and it's owners. Then you can follow up with them.

 

[filarotten]

Glad you saved Hank. I agree with Lolas dad, a call to animal control would be a good idea.

I would also call the owner and ask her is she cared that you call and check on Hank occasionally since you did rescue him. If she has nothing to hide, she will not have a problem with this idea.

 

[Renee750il]

Since this is a "pit bull type" dog I'd be very wary of bringing AC into it. Very reluctant.

Maybe a friendly phone call, that you really liked Hank and you'd love to see him? Visit, get to know BOTH her and her fiance. Let them know how close to death Hank was when you picked him up, suggest a halter for walking him, follow your instincts

 

[Lolas Dad]

Since this is a "pit bull type" dog I'd be very wary of bringing AC into it. Very reluctant.

Maybe a friendly phone call, that you really liked Hank and you'd love to see him? Visit, get to know BOTH her and her fiance. Let them know how close to death Hank was when you picked him up, suggest a halter for walking him, follow your instincts

Just because it is a "pit bull type: dog should not stop someone from calling animal control as the history of the dog could be neglectful owners or even abusive owners. If the dog is running loose was anyone actually out looking for the dog?. If not I would say that is a neglectful owner. How did the scar really get on the dog?. The owners said from it rubbing against a fence. If it is a straight line scar and not a rub scar then I would say possible abuse of the dog, perhaps even fighting the dog so AC should look into it in my opinion.

I'll give a case of a neglectful owner: Their is a family living in a town house in the back of the property where I live that has a Bichon that has ran out of the house on many different occasions. When this happens all they do is close the door and do not bother looking for the dog.

Several times I have gotten the dog to run up the stairs where the dog lives, knocked on the door and when the guy opened the door the dog went inside and then the guy closed the door. One other time I knocked on the door to tell them their dog was outside running loose so the guy comes out and tries to get the dog. A few minutes later he comes back and tells me "well the dog will eaither come back or not". He did not seem to care and a few minutes later his wife comes out ands says I don't even know why your on our property to me. The yard is not fenced in and she says to me also "we have three kids and it's not easy watching them and the dog at the same time".

Getting a little tired of having to get their dog to go up the stairs when it is constantly getting out I called AC and told them of the situation. They told me that the dog is not licensed as they have no record of the dog with that address.

The last time that the dog was loose again I was trying to get it to go up the stairs where it lived and in the process the dog bit me on my thumb so I called the police to report the dog bite. They asked if I wanted first aid and I said if the dog did not have it's rabies shot then yes if it did then no. The cop went over to their house and spoke with them. He then came back and told me that the dog was licensed and up to date on it's rabies shot.

A few days later I followed up with AC and the woman on the phone said "Didn't you report this same dog running loose a while ago?" which I told her I did. She then went into their computer system and seen that I reported it in March of this year. She then told me that they never got a call back from the owner and that she has no idea why no one followed up and that the dog is still not licensed and they have no record of a rabies shot for the dog. This tells me that the cop that talked to the owner just took the dogs owners word for it and did not see any actual license or rabies shot certificate.

The AC went over to the guys house, he showed them that in fact the dogs did have a rabies shot certificate that expires next year. They also put the dog under a ten day quarantine and the dog now has a bite history due to a neglectful owner. Also if the dog is running loose again they told me to call them they will then get the dog and take it back to AC where the owner will have to pay a $100.00 fine to get it back.

 

[Renee750il]

The reason I am reluctant to bring AC in on a pit bull type dog is because so many ACs have a policy of putting the dogs down "just because." I know ours here had that policy up until just recently, when public pressure came into play. Even so, most pit bull types still get eliminated right off the bat, whether they're strays, surrenders, or dogs that have been taken because someone reported them as neglected.

 

[Lolas Dad]

I guess it depends on where you live. However if the dog is being neglected or abused just being a pit bull type dog does not give the owners the right to abuse or neglect the dog if in fact that is what's going on. Are you saying that if you knew of a dog fight ring or a dog that was involved in dog fighting that you would not report the owner because the dog is a pit bull type?

 

[Renee750il]

No, but I'd find a better place to start than the local AC.

Since dog fighting is a crime, I think a better way of reporting it is to go to the DA and give a heads up to a reputable Pit Bull organization and let the DA know so as to have care and handling for the dogs coordinated. I'd also seriously consider contacting someone in the media.

Fortunately, the humane society in the next county over, Grainger County, has a sterling record of pit bull rescue and rehab.

It would also take more than a few scars to make me react. I'd want to know more. There are lots of reasons for a dog to have scars -- he could be a rescue, have been injured by a car, have been attacked by another dog, hurt himself going through a fence . . . Scars do not automatically = dog fighting. At least one of our member has been through hell because someone "assumed" that. :madgo:

 

[jackaroo]

I don't believe that the dog was used in fighting at all. This little guy couldn't hurt a fly. I just feel there was more to the story than the girl wanted to admit. I told her I knew she loved her Fiance but I didn't believe his story for a moment. That dog was walking for a very long time. I know where they live and will stop over from time to time. The girl actually knows my daughter ... went to school with her. Small world isn't it. If my daughter could remember who she was, she would go over herself. My daughter offered to keep the dog until the owners were found.

My instinct told me that the Fiance' is just jeaouls of the dog. The owner is 8 months pregnant and maybe the Fiance' does not like or want the dog because his new "procreation" is coming into the world soon.

 

[Renee750il]

My instinct told me that the Fiance' is just jeaouls of the dog.

Ah, that happens all too often I hope you can keep in touch with her. I have a feeling Hank may need a place to go before too much longer.

 

[~Jessie~]

That's so sad You did a great thing, though.

It would be great if you could periodically check up on Hank, as it sounds like he isn't in his forever home

 

[smkie]

I read your story out loud to my Mom over the phone. She said isn't it funny how they just know who they can trust. I am so glad you got him off the hot road, and that you are going to keep checking on him. Hank sounds like a great dog. That pavement in this kind of heat will burn pads but quick. People just don't realize how hot it really is. I hope Hank's story can have a happy ending. Worries. I hate it when you find the owner and then wish you hadn't.

 

[jackaroo]

Yeah...sorta feel bad for the dog in all respects but keeping faith that all works out. I just have a bad vibe about this. I have never trusted my instincts but maybe I should.

 

[Renee750il]

Your instincts are probably spot-on

 

[jackaroo]

You may be right. I am also going to see the vet that told me the dog has a history of running away.

 

[smkie]

I am sure he will always be in your mind and your heart. I am glad you are speaking to the vet. Sounds like Hank needs an angel or two.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

thank you for helping that poor boy!