Abuse of a dog. What would you do?

I'm with you!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++
Sometimes it simply AMAZES me when people write something passionately WITHOUT first thinking about what they just wrote......

If I catch you after dark "STEALING" my dog because you "think" I've been abusing it.....and I kill you for it.....what makes you think that a jury of my peers is going to send me to prison for it??? You're certainly not going to be around to testify that the reason you were "trying to liberate" my pooch is because I had it chained out in the cold and damp!!! So get real......and think before you put it in writing..... I was trying to make a point that it would be in EVERYONE's BEST INTEREST to work thru proper channels to try and help an animal that one thought was being abused and NOT GET SHOT or KILLED taking the law into your own hands by stealing someone elses' pet~~

If I catch you after dark "STEALING" my dog because you "think" I've been abusing it.....and I kill you for it.....what makes you think that a jury of my peers is going to send me to prison for it???

Common sense. Which your post is thoroughly lacking.

And knowledge of Texas laws. Of which you obviously are also lacking.

Talk about "thinking before you put it in writing".

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +
It's been said that when you try and reason with the VILLAGE IDIOT....you are only dragged down to his level......so I'll rest my case while I'm able to.....but will preface that with the additional comment that I was quite knowledgable of TEXAS LAWS for the 13 + yrs that I enforced them.....saw a lot of people who were able to "legally" shot another person (and get away with it), who normally would have been serving life sentences for the same offense in Michigan and other parts of the country. But then TEXAS is unlike any other state in the union.

I guess that's why they call it a whole 'nuther country.

__________________

take photgraphs.
go personally to the animal control office.
show them the photos.
make sure they make arrangements to go do thier job.
if they dont ask them if you was to go to the local media and show them the photos and tell them you refuse to do your job, would it change their minds?

or just observe when they leave the house, drive by get out with bolt cutters cut the chain load the dog and drive off. cardboard over your plates.

drop the dog off at the shelter with a large donation, tell them you found it.
they will clean the dog up, treat it and test it for adoptability.
now if yo dont get bitten doing it good for you.
if they end up putting the dog to sleep thats still better than living in the cold rain on a chain.

you could toss the dog a poisoned porkchop, more mercy than anyones going to show it to be honest.

calling the animal control doesnt work you have to go get in their face.

Anyone who puts dogs above children is mentally ill. Bottom line.

Are animals really only property? In my mind, maybe they cannot be put right up there with my children---who I would go bankrupt and more to save---but they are certainly more important than my endtable. Could it be that they are in a grey area, being a creature you can love, but have to make some limitations on under certain circumstances? Maybe that was a horrible way to put it, but you know what I mean?

I will never understand how some people can see an animal being abused and just turn a blind eye to it because that animal is 'someone's property'? Is this not saying to the abuser that this kind of conduct is acceptable? Does this mean there is a lack of compassion in the observer by saying nothing? I don't understand how someone can basically say, "I'm concerned about my dog being beaten, but if it's yours, who cares, do what you want."

Wow, I am really having a hard time believing that some people are actually so willing to allow an animal to suffer.....**shakes head** What does that say about a person's insides?

DD

That they're mentally ill.

__________________
I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

In Ohio, according to Ohio law, animals are only property. However they must be provided shelter at all times. That being said, is the dog always outside with no shelter. Unless you know it is a continual thing it is probably best left alone. If the dog is always outside with no shelter and rarely given food or water the ASPCA may be the ones to call. The ASPCA doesn't always respond quickly or with any results. I did call the ASPCA on a dog that my neighbors had. It didn't do any good. Animal Control was always out too because the poor dog was always breaking lose to find food or shelter. It took 8 calls and finally Animal Control picked it up when it was on the road when they came out. Stupid people just got another dog to neglect. Idiots will be idiots and sometimes their animals suffer. It breaks your heart but complaining doesn't do much good.

Texas laws are not much different from other states. You are allowed to use "reasonable force", when protecting private property. Deadly force is only an excuse when you life is threatened, or when someone else's life is threatened. When someone breaks into your home at night, deadly force is also legal because it is reasonable to believe that your life is in danger. If you see someone in your yard stealing your dog, or your bike, or anything else, using deadly force (ie. kill them) is AGAINST THE LAW. If reasonable force turns into "deadly force", you are at the mercy of the judge and jury. You could always lie and say he was attacking you. I'm not saying you won't find a jury that won't sympathize. But 9 times out of 10, if the jury goes by the strict interpretation of the law, you will go to PRISON.

Served on a jury once about 15 years ago where a homeowner (actually the homeowner's boyfriend), is accused of shooting someone stealing a radio out of his car parked in the driveway. Didn't even kill him. He served 4 years (at least that's what we sentenced him to). I think the guidelines then were 2-10 years. If he had killed him, the grand jury in all probability would have brought back voluntary manslaughter (2-20). I also served on a murder trial once (but that's a different story). In getting my CHL, a police officer very clearly spelled out the laws in these areas (in my renewal class as well). I have to have a pretty good knowledge of them to keep the CHL.

You have very little knowledge of Texas laws and it's obvious. Kinda hard to believe you were a cop here when you make these kinds of statements. Look it up before you continue to make yourself look ridiculous.

In that exact situation I probably would do nothing. Dogs swim in frrzing lakes and run around in 35 drgree rain whle duck hunting. Animals have much tougher bodies for dealing with the cold than humans, and upper 50's isnt even cold.

I can understand the concern for the dog and I am an avid animal lover myself, but... I wonder if this dog is actually abused. How many times have you driven by and seen this animal left out in the weather without food and shelter? There could be a valid reason for seeing what you did.

I had a springer spaniel once who did not like sleep in my house or his dog box in any type of weather. He would lay in the driveway in severe thunderstorms and just soak up all the rain. In snow storms he just curled up and slept. The only way he would use his box was when I would tie him to it. Oh yeah and his chain was spiked away from the box and long enough for him to just get in his box. Also a dog doesn't need a real big box. In cold weather a smaller box is better to contain their own heat.

Food bowl out of reach...hmmm...maybe he just finished eating and played with his bowl and it rolled out of reach. Lots of dogs play with their dishes.

Maybe this dog wasn't even out all night, just while the owner was at work or something.

I don't mean to sound harsh but if you think there is abuse just call the proper authorities and let them decide.

Oh-oh, what about cattle, goats, sheep etc.. We have a dog house, but are we making an animal suffer by letting him live outside in the weather? Whose judgement is it to make? I'm sure Foo-Foo the poodle would be considered abused by some if she were left in the cold rain, but an LGD would not.

I personally think people should keep themselves to themselves unless its obvious a law is being broken

__________________
Brad Bachelor
--------------------------
"Loving an old bachelor is always a no-win situation, and you come to terms with that early on, or you go away.”
-- Jean Harris

poisoned pork chop? lol, are you stirring this pot or what? is it done yet?

I hope you are just being fecicious bachelorb. Animals should be given PROPER shelter. What is proper for one animal may not be necessary or proper for another.

Sometimes it isn't obvious that a law is being broken. Sure wouldn't hurt to stop and ask if you could have the dog, although from many of the posts here I gather there are a lot of people on this forum who are the type to turn their backs and look the other way. Pretty sad.

__________________
I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

Maybe a little, but what would proper shelter be.

Heres mine

Cows- None
Goats- None
Rabbits- A pole shed
Chickens- Small coop
Dog- overhang or dog house outside.
Horse - None

Now, am I abusing any of these animals?

__________________
Brad Bachelor
--------------------------
"Loving an old bachelor is always a no-win situation, and you come to terms with that early on, or you go away.”
-- Jean Harris

Based on where you live...not at all in my opinion. Here in NW MS we have the same set-up, although we do have a barn for the horses (but hubby only lets them in the barnlot in extreme weather and half the time they still don't get in the barn). The chickens have a house in their coop and they roost ON TOP of it...rain, cold, etc.

When the law says you have to provide shelter for an animal then proper shelter for that type animal should be provided. Doesn't mean you can make the animal use it!

All of our dogs sleep in the house at night. During the day and until we go to bed the majority of them spend their time laying out in the yard...regardless of the weather. Are we abusing them? No. They have the ability to seek shelter by getting in the garage, on the porch, etc.

Taking that ability away from an animal (as in the OP's case) is abuse.

__________________
I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

Bachlorb - goats and horses should at least have a leanto to get out of bad weather. Goats HATE getting wet, and given a choice will always choose shelter. They are also less stressed and "perform" better. Is it abuse? No.

Is there an update on the dog or was this a one time occurance?

__________________
If you plan on breeding so your family can see The Miracle of Birth, Please take them to the shelters so they can also see The Tragedy of Death.

Maybe you are, it depends on the circumstances.

I can't speak much for the goats or cows, since I haven't owned any yet, but it makes sense to at least provide shelter from rain and goats. I do know that animals can suffer from coat rainrot (cows/horses) and can become ill from drafts (goats). Domestic horses do not fare well without shelter. Honorable people would not sell you a horse if they knew you could not provide at least a run-in shelter.

Just because a wild animal survives in the wild does not mean that a domesticated one will fare as well....through selective breeding in some cases we have altered their physical ability to do so. Would you leave a chihuahua or a trimmed poodle in a doghouse outside in -20C weather? No....but you could do it with a husky if it was a proper doghouse. People have to have SOME common sense before deciding if it is abuse.

But you know, if my dog had accidentally knocked his bowl out of reach and wrapped his chain around the tree (well, I keep my dogs indoors anyhow, but theoretically-speaking!.....), and the shelter came a'knocking, I would not be offended as some would. I would be glad that they cared enough to check it out. And of course, since I am NOT an abuser, I have nothing to fear. The shelter would check out the facts and move on, and I would make arrangements that the same situation not be repeated.

Perhaps the reason that some people get so hostile towards the 'do-gooders' is because they themselves have had a visit from animal welfare and are trying to justify their own actions, rather than feel guilty about it as they rightly should?

DD