I believe my neighbor is abusing his lab?

Question

I HAVE CALLED OUR HUMANE SHELTER AND THEY DID COME OUT TO CHECK BUT THEY SAID AS LONG AS THE CAN TURN AROUND IN ITS PEN AND HAS WATER 24HRS THERE IS NOTING THEY CAN DO!SO I AM THINKING ABOUT KIDNAPPING THIS DOG ,WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN TO ME LEGALALY???

Answer 1

As long as they have water, shelter and are fed they are not being neglected. Unless they are being beaten, they are not being abused.

I say MYOB. There is no law telling people they have to keep their dog like YOU (or I) think they should. You have no business stealing anyones property. I don't like it when people don't take the best of care of their dogs either, but everyone has different ideas about how to keep them.

Answer 2

If you are sure about this, kidnap the dog, but dont get caught. Watch your neighbors schedule for a week so you know when it's safe. Take him to a shelter several towns away. Remove collar and tags and destroy them (no fingerprints and no witnesses!).Tell them you found him in the road. Maybe he will be adopted by someone who wont keep him in a pen. This would be very kind of you. It's sad that we must do these things to protect our furry friends, but hey...Karma points in your favor!

Answer 3

Try contacting SPCA. Just because it has food and water, doesn't mean it isn't being mistreated. They would probably at least come out and look the dog over. They take any report of abuse or neglect seriously. You can remain anonymous, too, if you don't want your neighbor to know it was you who called. Don't kidnap the dog. That would be considered theft and you could go to jail.

Answer 4

Don't steal the dog, then you will get in trouble...Call you local police department and make a complaint. If the dog is under fed or without water, unfree to move...they can do something about it. Most states thave laws against animal cruelty. You stealing the dog is probably best for the dog, but then you run the risk of getting into trouble. If the cops don't do anything, then simply go to the neighbor and tell him/her you are worried about the dog and see if they will be willing to take better care of the dog or surrender it to you. Good luck, it sucks for the dog b/c they are totally depending upon their caretakers. I would love to know the outcome.

Answer 5

To those that wrote poorly of the Humane Societies:
Most Humane societies are not even equipped to deal with abuse/neglectg cases as they are not government funded, it is up to each counties animal shelters, which are government agencies to deal with cases such as this, so the fact that your humane society can even come out to investigate is amazing. Then there are laws that each agency must follow, and im sure they are similar to the laws in my county, that as long as the dog is contained and has a shelter with at least 3 sides and if its on a chain have at least 30 square feet to move and have water and food, it is ok. Yes most of us animal lovers would love to see laws that say animals must be kept indoors more than not and many more restrictions for these type of people, it is something we should be glad the government is protecting animals as much as they do. It costs a lot of money to run agencies such as these and the laws have come a long long way.
To the asker:
I agree you should take pictures or video of what you see. Report them to your local Animal Shelter, or even the police. If you are unsure of what your county requires in the way of pets you should contact your local shelter for information. i would not steal the dog because unfortunately in our world people who do wrong to people are punished more severely than people who do wring to animals. i hope you can help this dog legally. good luck

Answer 6

I think you could be charged with burglary since you would be entering his property with the intent to remove his personal property. Most likely they would know it was you since you've already complained. Why not try contacting a rescue that specializes in lab's? Tell them the story and maybe they will come out and observe for themselves what you've witnessed. They might coax the owner to turn over the dog to them as well. Anyone who keeps an animal penned up all day does not keep the animal as a pet.

Answer 7

Is the dog being neglected or beaten? I'm kind of wondering if someone is dropping the ball there.

Try the Humane Society again- and be clear about what you think is going on. They can't do anything with a vague suspicion. And unless the animal is truly suffering, you shouldn't so your neighbor can't lodge any complaints against you.

Answer 8

The ASPCA normally gives people a second chance to fix the conditions they are living it, and if they do not fix it they either have to surrender the dog or make a court appearance. This normally takes a week or 2, after the given ammount of time if the dog looks groomed, healthy, and its living conditions have improved then they will leave the dog to the owners.

Answer 9

if the dog has access to food, shelter, water, and it is not injured, then it is not being abused, according to most humane society standards. their standards are pretty low.

I say go ahead and steal the dog, but be prepared for the consiquences if you are caught. I see dogs all the time in situations that I think are abuse, like being tied up in a back yard with no attention or socialization, and I can't help them. I wish I could save them all. but you can save one... go for it!

Answer 10

I would if you could, talk to him & discauss the matter. Don't put yourself in danger! Since the Humane Shelter didn't do anything about the issue, I would contact a Lab Rescue and have the rescue legally take the dog if he is being abused. Could you describe what he is doing to this lab? Thanks!