Am I just a softie or is this cruel?

[bradedit]

Our neighbors(they live behind us) built their house last year, this summer around the time we got Cleo(who is 9 months old) they also got a puppy, it is around 40-45lbs. They have it in a cage about 3ft by 3 ft(I think usually people have them for temporary quarters, NOT a crate) this is wire.

The dog(Moe) is in this cage at least 20 hours a day, ALL night and ALL day except for a few hours after 3:30pm, there is no blanket on the bottom of the cage, and the dog can't walk but it can stand up, I'm not sure about food or water but I can't imagine the dog not spilling it if it is in there, and if the dog does go the bathroom, the floor is not raised so I think it would be laying in it.

I just can't stand it and called the humane society today, do you think I was right to call. Why did they even get a dog if nobody even plays with it?? (They have 2 kids one 15 and one about 2 years old)

[YorkieLover]

Ah, poor dog. That does not sound very humane, and you're right, it makes you wonder why they even got a dog when they don't take the time to care for it and play with it.

It might have been good to talk to them first about it, but I know how unreasonable some people can be. So ... maybe the humane society people will let them know how cruel it is to treat a dog like that. I think you did a good thing for the dog. Maybe now he will be treated better.

We have had to call about a neighbor's dogs several times in the past. We live in a very rural area, and their dogs kept coming to our house and chasing and freaking out our horse, and would even come up to our front steps and attack our big dog several times. They started chasing us if we were on foot. Their cows and pigs freely roamed our yard. Each time, we called the neighbors, and they just didn't care, and never tried to keep their dogs or cows or pigs at home, so we finally had to call the county and asked that they not use our name ... but each time, they did ... and now the neighbors don't like us ... even though we were not the bad guys here. Can't win for losing! But in your case, the dog has a chance to win in this, at least.

[pandybat]

You you did the right thing. I would have called the Humane Society too. If nothing else, they'll come out and let the people know that is no way for a dog to be sheltered.

[Jaxxie]

BRAVO!!! I totally agree with what you did. Most people tend to turn their head because they want to keep peace in the neighborhood. And i do not blame you for not confronting neighbors. You don't know if they will try to get even. Now my one neighbor she will not tolerate much in the neighborhood. I am the only one that knows she does this..but I just love it. She types out a nice, non threatening Anonymous letter and leaves one in mailbox and one under wiper.

One was the neighbors kids was driving like an idiot down the street. She nicely wrote she was a concerned neighbor and parent and would he please slow down. If he did persist in driving dangerously on the street she would go to the local police. (He slowed down)

My favorite was the one with the dog, OMG this dog is tiny and is left out hours on end to bark, bark, bark. IT never SHUTS up. And they NEVER try to hush it either. She nicely wrote a letter that for 3 hours while trying to enjoy the peace of her home (it was summer) she was continually interupted by their dogs barking. And did they realize how annoying it was, and cruel to leave a dog that size out in all types of weather with no shelter, water or food. And that a good trainer or even a humane anti bark collar would help keep surrounding neighbors in a already compact neighborhood much happier. Well these neighbors do no wrong EVER!! in their minds. (they are the rudest family on our street). Well they got their letter and called the police because someone left a threatening and harrassing letter under their windshield. When in truth she could have called the police every day and reported that dog.

So when you can't confront, leave a kind letter. Isn't that what windshield wipers are for?

[Jennifer M.]

Good For You!! I would have done the same thing!

[ShainaT]

THANKS for doing what you did! That is a cruel life for a dog to live! Terrible.

[bestmidwest]

I totally agree. That's why we don't have a dog. I don't think that I would be able to care for it properly. I know people who live down the street from me leave their dog tied up outside all day. I have never seen them even walk that dog and she's a very nice dog.

I have been very mad at my mom and dad about their two cats. One has been attacking the other and they haven't really done anything about it. I think it's an owner's responsibility to protect his/her pets. So when we were there last, I took her with me. They didn't want to get rid of the other one because they felt that poor Autumn was older and was going to die soon anyway. So let her get attacked constantly???? Anyway, she is our foster cat now. My three other cats aren't particulary friendly with her, but they wouldn't ever hurt her. She mostly sleeps, and if her backside doesn't heal up soon I will take her to the vet. I just can't believe that I would have to teach my parents about responsibility!

[telos2000]

I kept my two beagles penned, but it was 15' wide by 40' long and had a 3' by 4' doghouse inside. They were let out daily to run all over my half-acre back yard, under my watchful eye. I only kept them in the dog run because it was secure and kept them from digging out of the yard and running away. Before the run, I had to chase them down at least twice a week. When a beagle gets on a scent, they will just go until they loose it, get caught, or get run over.

However, to keep one in a 3'by 3' wire cage is a crime! They ought to have their rearends stuffed in the cage and left there for 20 hours at a stretch.

[whitequeen96]

I think you did EXACTLY the right thing! I would not have discussed it with the neighbors first. People who are so cruel to a pet might be just awful to deal with if they decided that you are an enemy!

[bradedit]

I am so frustrated, I know that they are busy, but nobody came to check it out! I don't think the dog is in bad health but it just seems wrong to me!

This is why dogs get mean!

[Shainie]

Originally Posted by bradedit

This is why dogs get mean!

Exactly! When my dog had puppies my MIL took one of them. Well that dog lived its first 2 years in a 6'x 8' kennel. Nice sized kennel, but a dog shouldn't be in there 24x7. It made me so upset, but I didn't say anything because I didn't want to cause a family fight. When I went there and went to let the dog out, the dog didn't know what to do, she would go nuts.

Finally a neighbor of my MIL's came over daily and took the dog for a walk. After a while she ended up adopting the dog from my MIL. I was so happy, because she was finally going to be a pet, and not just a caged up animal. But she is a little mean now, and protective of her new owner.

Good for you calling, that's a horrible living situation for a dog. Hopefully something will be done about it.

[3tbear]

That's just so sad to treat an animal that way. If they really wanted a dog, they would treat the dog with respect, play with the dog, let the dog have some freedom, not cage it up all day like that. That poor dog. I hope he gets a good home.