Report my friends for animal cruelty?

[Amber]

I have some friends, probably better called aquantainses, that have a big gorgeous GSD. Previously, they had a pointer mix and a BC mix, but they have since passed away. I HATE the way that they keep these dogs. The GSD is kept tethered in the far back of their back yard with only a plastic children's play house for shelter, and some dirty water and food bowls. The "house" doesn't have a floor, so the dog sleeps on the dirt. This is how the other two dogs lived, except they had to share the house.

I haven't seen this dog in over a year, but when I used to go over to their house (when the dog was a puppy) I know they would take her off the chain to walk her to the driveway, but I don't think they even do that anymore.

I came upon the animal cruelty laws for our county recently, and I don't think they follow these guidelines at all.
I put the ones I don't think they listen to in bold.

Dog Housing Minimum Requirements

1. All animals must be supplied with sufficient, good and wholesome food and water as often as the feeding habits of such animals require.
2. All animals shall be provided a proper enclosure as its quarters which shall have clean, dry bedding, floors elevated at least four (4) inches from the ground and all sides enclosed including the front. All animals, animal quarters and primary enclosures shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and adequate ventilation shall be maintained. I can't even comment on how far they are from this.
3. Proper shelter and protection from the weather shall be provided at all times. Animals must not be overcrowded nor exposed to excessive heat or cold. Proper temperature for the well-being of animals shall be maintained at all times. We recently had 20+ inches of snow, and a long-coated GSD cannot feel good during the middle of summer.
4. Every reasonable precaution shall be used to ensure that animals are not teased, abused, mistreated, annoyed, tormented or in any manner made to suffer by any person or by any means. Their kids....well. Yeah.
5. No condition shall be maintained or permitted to exist that is, or could be, injurious to the animals.
6. Animals must be maintained in quarters so constructed as to prevent their escape. The owner assumes full responsibility for recapturing any animal that escapes from his premises. All reasonable precautions shall be taken to protect the public from the animals and the animals from the public. The tether is a bunch of 1/2" thick leashes tied together. They're lucky this dog doesn't wander.
7. Animal bedding shall be sufficient in size and quantity and shall be kept clean. There is no bedding.
8. Sick or diseased animals shall be isolated from healthy animals at all times, so segregated that the illness or disease shall not be transmitted to another animal, and shall not be sold.

I don't know weather to call AC or not. I don't know if the dog still lives like this (not much doubt in my mind though) I haven't talked to the people in a while so I don't know how to casually bring up, "So..are you still mistreating your dog?"

I have an old polaroid picture of the dog's living conditions. I will try to find it.

PLEASE don't think I am cruel for not doing anything about this yet. I have little to no power over this situation. I am SO sorry to the dog.

 

[PoodleMommy]

If the situation is as bad as you are describing... I would report without a doubt... if the dog gets taken, its not like their beloved pet is getting taken away or anything.

 

[Lolas Dad]

I would have no problem turning someone in like that. If you could get pictures to document the dog's living conditions that would help. Animal control probably would not even mention who called them.

 

[BabyDane]

I would report it. I would go to the lengths of going to one or more of the neighbors to get more information and see if any of them have tried contacting AC.

Depending on the regulations for AC, they might require two separate complaints to actually get someone out to the house to check things out...

Best wishes to the dog

 

[lisabobisa]

Ugh I just don't understand why people get dogs when they obviously have no desire to interact with them at all. I mean, you even said as a puppy all they did was take it as far as the driveway.

Reminds me of a friend of mine I had when I was a kid. Her and her mom did all this research and decided that a boxer puppy was the best dog for them. They got and then realized that leaving it in the yard all day resulted in it destroying the plants so they chucked it into the garage most of the time. I always begged them to let it out when I was over but I don't remember seeing it much.

 

[ricky]

i would for sure have reported this .....

 

[JessLough]

for sure i would report it, if you are not going to help the dog, who else will?

 

[Doberluv]

That is just so sad. It breaks my heart. It breaks your heart and from that alone, you know that something is very wrong and should be reported. I hope this poor animal gets a better future with someone who can give it the love and empathy he deserves. I can not understand either, why people get dogs just to chain them up and leave them all alone. It disgusts me.

 

[Amber]

I'm looking hard for the photo that I had of the dog, because animal control wants "evidence" that the dog is being treated inhumanely. Apparently they can't just walk up and say let us see your dog.

 

[bubbatd]

I reported such a case , but through my meter reader . I was afraid of retaliation against my dog . Yes, I'm chicken .

 

[Phoenixangelwyngs]

I would say something..... some people just flat out don't know better. Maybe this is how their dogs lived when they were kids. My neighbor doesn't understand why my dogs are allowed in the house.... cause his was tethered outside to a dog house when he was a kid. He never let the dog off the tether and never let the dog in the house. Dogs belonged OUTSIDE.

I think it's sad.... but if you say something and the dog is still living like this, animal control will in the very least tell them they can't keep their dog like that and mandate that it get a proper tether and housing and bedding... at least. If the owners won't comply, the dog gets a chance at a life that it deserves.

I'd report it. The dog deserves a chance at a good life, be it with these people or with new people, but he/she deserves a chance. And sadly, you may be the dog's only shot at that chance.

 

[sprintime]

I wouldn't hesitate to report them. Do the dog a favour so it can find the right home with the right people. Dogs need human interaction and love and that dog is no different. Some people should never be allowed to own dogs, they treat them like a new toy, cute when a baby , then forgotten and abandoned when they tire of it, Just like people who think dogs are as disposable as old diapers when a problem crops up.