Warning: this post has nothing to do with running, but instead talks about my one of my other loves: dogs. Not my dogs. But a very sad looking dog that I have become very intrigued by.
Back story: Most of my morning running routes are some variation of a larger route that encompasses downtown. Most days, this route takes me down a certain street in our downtown area. Our downtown area is interesting: it's an older historic town and the houses are a mixture of really nice homes mixed in with some really crappy ones. I run at dark-thirty, but one morning thanks to the light of a full moon, I noticed a very sad and very gaunt/sickly looking dog sitting in the corner by the fence in one of the not-so-nice looking houses on a street I run often. I was imediately struck by how gaunt and sick it looked. It didn't bark - didn't make a peep - just stared at me sadly. I didn't stop and pet it - being dark and a shady looking house, I didn't feel comfortable approaching it. But, I made a habit over the next few weeks to check for the dog on my morning runs - and, every morning it was there, in the same spot.
I started to drive by every once in awhile during the work day to see if perhaps the dog was ever let inside...and, no fail, every time I drive by it's sitting sadly, staring out of the fence IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT.
I expressed my concerns to Dan. I was worried that it's not fed properly (or at all?). I worry that it's not getting water. Don't laugh, but I asked him if there was something similar to Child Protective Services for animals that I could call. Will the shelter check into something like that? To be fair, I don't know the dogs story. I don't know who the owners are. Maybe the owners take care of it? Maybe it has some sort of disease that is making him/her look so ill? What I do know is no matter what time of day, hot or cold, rain or shine, that dog is sitting out back, in the same spot, staring out of the fence. It breaks my heart.
I thought about bringing him/her treats. A meal maybe. A dog toy. Just slipping something through the fence. But, I haven't. It's not my dog, and I know if anyone messed with my dogs I would be pissed.
I also know the way I treat my dogs (they pretty much live better than I do) is not the way everyone treats their dogs.
This afternoon I was heading back to the office from a meeting and drove by the house...slowed my car to check...and the dog is sitting in his/her usual spot. It's 93 degrees out. I wish you could see this dog, because it truly is the saddest sight ever.
What would you do? Just mind your own business? Bring the dog treats? Call the Animal Shelter? Is there even anything I can do?
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If it looks super skinny, I would call animal control. They hopefully will go check it out.
ReplyDeleteWe have an outside dog who stays outside all the time. He has shelter but he's an outside dog, and honestly I think he would hate it inside. I think he likes being where he is. I am sure sometimes he sits at our gate and looks sad or looks out on the road, and maybe somebody would feel bad about him. I don't know. We feed him though, and he's not skinny or sickly looking at all.
It's the dogs appearance that really concerns me. It's so skinny that it took me a minute to realize it was a dog. And the backyard is full of crap and trash (not to judge anyone's yard because ours isn't the best either but...). Maybe I'll check with the shelter.
DeleteMost shelters employ a humane police officer who investigates cruelty/neglect reports. If they don't have one, they can direct you to the local authority to report it. They are often tied with how much they can do, typically if the dog is receiving food and water with adequate shelter there is not too much they can do. I would report it though. I have reported things in the past (I've also fed dogs, checked on dogs daily, too much to list). I'm certainly a softy with dogs and mine have a better life than most too but if one truly appears to be neglected or mistreated, it is difficult for me to not try to do something.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abbi. This is really helpful info. I am going to call the shelter. I just have a really bad feeling that the dog is not in a good situation given my observations and the starkly gaunt appearance of the dog.
DeleteCall ASPCA or the local animal control! If you feel concerned about the dog, it's probably warranted and you could save that dog's life by taking action. You can ask the animal control people to keep you updated so if they seize it, you can check up on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you decided to call the shelter. Normally I wouldn't call Animal Control if I could help it, because many municipalities will simply kill any dog they "rescue" from a situation like that - this sounds like a dog that may have socialization and health problems. However, Williamson County and Georgetown rescues are both No Kill and will treat this dog with care, if it's picked up for neglect.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely throw him a cookie every time I passed. I don't care if it pisses someone off, who is neglecting their dog. It may be the first kind thing that anyone's done for that dog, and as you said, it's fixin' to get VERY HOT here in Cen Tex.
Again, as someone above stated, animal control will come out to INVESTIGATE. Nothing wrong with that. If they came out to investigate my dogs, I'd welcome them and thank them and see why they had concerns. (Of course I came home today and my dog had her nails painted by someone, and was happily wearing one of my tee shirts)
I knew I would get some good advice from fellow dog lovers - thank you! Tom - love the painted toe nails and t-shirt :)
DeleteI know I'm late to the party, but I agree with what everyone else has said - contact the ASPCA - even if they just do a walk-by and check on the dog, it's something.
ReplyDeleteTom's got the right idea - throw the dog a treat if you can - it'll be the highlight of it's day.