I don't wanna report my own family members?

Question

I have a aunt and uncle that live in Talyorsville. And they have two dogs, a dalmation, and a yellow mix breed. The dal is named Sunny, and the mix is Duken. Duken has been on this huge metel chain for about all his life. And about 2 years stright without being let off. Sunny has been getting aggresive, and is put in a dog lot all the time. They are extremeley skinny, and there ribs have been showing for a good while. He says he is going to take them to the vet but he never does. There water has green stuff in it and everytime I go out there, when they are gone to work I feed the dogs about three times, I know thats alot but they eat everymeal in the time it would take a single dog to eat one meal. I also clean there water, and feed them treats. I also acctulley play, or show some effection towards them. I feel more sorry for Duken, and I I wish I could take him home. Oh, another thing is these dogs hav NO protecton, no dog house, blankets, NOTHING. they sleep in snow and ran.
Advice?

By the way, we HAVE mentioned it to our aunt and uncle and we talked about it yesterday if someone came out there they would charge him for animal abuse. I'm wanting to Call SOOOO bad. But this will create a major disruption, but I think the dogs are more important then some argument.

One reason I don't wanna call is I know SUnny will have to be put down ASAP since he is aggresive towards food, and Duken may have to be because he jumps and is very hyper

Answer 1

You are definitely put in a tough spot. My advice, which remember is my opinion, I would call on them and make it anonymous. I wouldn't tell my parents because I would not want to cause trouble in the family. But if those poor dogs are as bad off as you say then there is a very high chance that someone else could call on them and there fore they couldn't really prove it was you. It is a small lie that could save the dog's lives. Good luck with this. Remember those dogs deserve a better life!

Answer 2

Jessica,

congratulations for realizing that you have to stand up and do something in this situation.

This is a horrible position to be put in and I can relate. You absolutely need to do something about these dogs and yet you are faced with a choice of doing something and alienating your family or doing nothing and allowing innocent animals to suffer.

Unfortunately, you have already tried to reason with your aunt and uncle and they haven't responded. You've asked them to take the dog to the vet, as well as modeling for them the correct way of being with the dogs, all to no avail. Since they've repeatedly said "yea, we'll do it" and not done it (taking care of their animals) it's time to take the next step.

I agree that you should call the local SPCA or other animal shelter. However, I would recommend making a call first for some information before giving them the animal's home address. You might try calling and speaking with a counselor or advisor at the SPCA first and without giving your name, explaining your situation, and seeing what they say. What I'm thinking is that you may be frightened by the thought that your aunt and uncle could not only get into serious trouble, but that your family will punish you for taking these steps, and what I'm hoping is that you will find a counselor or other animal advocate who is able to tell you up front how they will handle it. This might make you less fearful.

It does sound like the animals need to be taken away for their safety, and that your aunt and uncle need to be discouraged from having another dog. I am completely in agreement with everyone else who has written in. The dogs are in a terrible situation and it's not going to improve.

Have you considered that your aunt and uncle getting in trouble might be a good thing for them? it sounds like they are the kind of people who do not really consider the needs of their companion animals, and are really not aware of the cruelty of how they are treating the dogs and may not understand why you are so concerned. Having a SPCA person explain exactly why they are being fined and having the animals removed, or other action, might be a really good lesson for them.

Answer 3

I just want to let you know that if someone does go out there, not only will your aunt and uncle be charged with criminal intent but most likely these dogs will be put to sleep. Most shelters will euthanize any animals that show even the slightest show of aggressive behavior because of liability.

They usually test animals for such behavior problems, but unfortunately shelters are so full, that they will keep only the animals that appear to be more easily adoptable.

So think about it like this: Are the conditions in which those dogs are in so bad that you'd prefer them to be put to sleep?
You have to do what you feel right, and I am sure this is a really hard call to make.

I have seen some animals in awful situations where I personally thought it would be better for them to be put to sleep than to continue suffering.

If you are still unsure...maybe you can try taking the dogs to the vet yourself so you can have them checked for any illnesses since your family members never took them. Depending on what you find out, tha tmay help you make a decision regarding their well being.

Also...if you take them to the vets, it might make your aunt and uncle wake up to the fact that you are SERIOUSLY concerned about those animals and make them take better care of those animals.

good luck!

Answer 4

I'd seriously just tell them that they need to shape up or the dogs need to live elsewhere. If you can, offer to take the dogs yourself. Otherwise, call animal control. Usually, animal control will just go talk to the people at first and give them a chance to shape up before they take the dogs.

I don't think that food aggression or jumping would necessarily get a dog euthanized. Lots of dogs are food aggressive because dogs are naturally protective of resources. Jumping on people is also common. If a dog does that, you should just turn your body to throw the dog off balance and get all 4 paws back on the ground. Once you do that enough, the dog will quit. The worst thing you could do is pet them when they jump on you, because you are rewarding an undesirable behavior.

Do you live in Taylorsville, UT? If so, the Best Friends animal sanctuary could take them. They took my SIL's cat who was incontinent due to chronic bladder problems and would have likely been euthanized at the shelter. Also, there are a lot of no-kill organizations that will get dogs adopted out. I got one of my cats from Furburbia at the Cottonwood Mall. Furburbia is actually a result of a bunch of these no-kill organizations pooling money to rent space at the mall so they can always have a place to hold adoption events. If animal control has to seize the dogs in order to get them out of the situation, you can arrange with one of these organizations to get the dogs out of the pound and into their shelter once your aunt and uncle no longer own them.

Answer 5

Call and report them NOW! What they are doing is against the law. Talk to the athorities to see if maybe you could take in the dogs. Maybe and hopefully for the dogs sake, a loving and caring home and some good training, would do some good. some of the things you mentioned about the dog being aggressive towards food may be able to be changed. if you decide to take in the dogs, talk with a good dog trainer, see if there's any help for the poor defensless dogs.

It probably will cause some argument between you but what they are doing is wrong. if they are not willing to take care of the dogs, someone needs to do something to get them out of the home. the athorities also may be able to help you in what can be done without having to put the dogs down. God bless you and good luck! My heart goes out to you and the dogs.

Answer 6

I would suggest that you get in touch with a no-kill animal shelter to discuss this situation. Maybe they can help the poor dog out by socializing it. It might have a chance if somebody takes time with it, living on a chain, I don't see how it could be happy. After you discuss this with a shelter, than I would call the ASPCA, so that they can rescue the dogs (and the shelter if they can will step in and take custody of them.) I know this is hard for you especially since it is a family member, but what they are doing is not right.

Answer 7

If the dogs are more important than an argument then make the call. I would call the humane society in your area to see who you can complain to. Maybe there is a way you can complain anonymously, never know. Give it a try and get those animals some help. They deserve a better life. Prayers =)

Answer 8

Dogs need to be taken care of not chained all the time. If your aunt and uncle won't take care of them, PLEASE CALL SPCA or Animal control and have the dogs taken away. They are being treated cruelly and that is against the law. Probably don't have any shots or on any HW preventative either. have them taken away and the heck with arguments in the family. What would you do if they treated a child that way? Nothing? Do the right thing and report them.

Answer 9

You need to call asap.

The animals may be put down, but humane euthanasia is much better than the alternative of them being left in the elements to die-alone, miserable, hungry and suffering.

Do you really want this on your conscience?

I have called (and will not hesitate to call again if need be) about my own family members who mistreat their animals. They may get their animals taken away and they may be angry with me, but they certainly won't die from being reported-which is more than I can say for their abused and neglected animals.

I really couldn't care less about them being angry with me either because someone who can treat an animal like a worthless piece of trash is not someone who I want to associate with anyway, family or not.

edited to add: I also let those family members know that it was me. I wanted them to know that I was watching exactly what they were doing. I am very vocal about the way I feel about mistreatment of animals. It seems to help certain members of my family keep themselves in line and either do the right things for their pets or just not have pets at all.

Answer 10

I'm so sorry, you shouldn't have to be in this situation. Follow the advise that everyone has given so far, call someone. The SPCA will come and take the animals and work with them to socialize and train them. They also know rescue groups that may be able to help foster and find new homes.
As for your aunt and uncle they deserve what they get. It sounds like they need some training too.