I found a poor chap straying in a village and although he seems to belong to someone, he appears to be terribly neglected. His backlegs are weak, he has an old injury and limps. He seems to be very old.
I am thinking of "borrowing" him and finding him a good home. I can't see how the owners can care for him. He is in a terrible state. And as they let him stray anyway, they seem like the sort of people who don't care if he gets run over or causes an accident.
I would be grateful for some comments on this.
It makes my heart bleed to see a dog in such a state. The RSPCA in this area doesn't do much.
2006-12-12 08:37:26 · 34 answers · asked by Wednesday 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I don't want to find the owners and confront them, as the area is very rough and it might end up a bit dangerous.
The dog has been out in stormy weather, he seems to have been hit by a car and he is full of mud.
I tried to catch him once, but he is a bit shy, but on the other hand, kept staying close to us.
2006-12-12 08:40:44 · update #1
I have seen this dog straying for the past 4 weeks in this terrible condition
2006-12-12 08:59:10 · update #2
Perhaps the dog came from a good loving home, got lost, and strayed to the village. He could have been on the streets so long he has become sick, bedraggled, and unrecognizable. If you can't catch him, maybe a professional dog catcher can, or the RSPCA. The RSPCA may do something for the dog. Do they feed or wash the dog; give it a checkup? They at least have the means for locating the dog's owner. What is the worse thing that could happen? They will have your number to contact you. If they don't find the owners, you will be able to take it with you.
2006-12-12 08:57:44 · answer #1 · answered by Lana Lang 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just because a dog is hurt doesn't necessarily mean that his owners got him that way. He could have jumped the fence trying to chase something and got lost trying to get back home, where it sounds like it may have gotten into a dog fight of some sort.
An owner that doesn't like their dog wouldn't be looking for him, the least you could do is post a couple signs or look through the paper to see if someone is looking for him. Ask them to call, and if you don't like the way they sound on the phone, you can just say you don't think this is the correct dog and then go ahead with your original plan. For all you know, the owners could have moved with the dog and he ran away back to the old house. It happens all the time.
The streets are rough, he easily could have gotten those injuries from things other than a human neglecting him. If you can get him to trust you, you can take him to the vet to see what can be done and then when you find the owner you can let them know of the fees and that you'd like to be paid back before you give the dog back. Or, if you can't find the owners, you can simply ask the new owners to pay an adoption fee for him of whatever the vet bill was.
Pets can get themselves in some sticky situations if they just got caught up exploring the neighborhood and forgot how to get back home, it really doesn't necessarily mean their owners are bad people.
For instance, my cat out of the house a very long time ago when he went to go sniff out the rest of the neighborhood, and he ended up getting stuck in a small space under a house and hurt his foot very badly. I would have been terrified thinking about what happened to him if a neighbor hadn't returned him to us; and it in no means meant I was a bad owner. He ended up having to have surgery but lived the rest of his life nice, warm, and happy with me until he passed away from old age over 12 years after the incident. Please at least give people the benefit of the doubt.
2006-12-12 08:45:22 · answer #2 · answered by antheia 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You've made a lot of assumptions. By all means take the dog in and get it to the vet but you have no right to make it disappear.
Call the RSPCA and local police, tell them you found a dog and give a description.
He could be a loved family pet that got lost if the owners just moved to the area.
Don't make excuses, just do the right thing.
The RSPCA is overworked and stretched in some areas. They'll still attend.
2006-12-12 08:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by sarah c 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anytime you get too close to animal unknown to you, you run the risk of getting bit. With that said, I do rescues and have only been injured, twice, by 8 pound cats! Many days in the emergency room for IV of antibiotics, to keep the infection from spreading up my arm and to my heart. Fun. But seriously, worth it. If you can get this guy, take him to a vet to be looked at. He could have far more extensive injuries than what can be seen. But maybe not. I say go for it! Give the poor guy a shot at a real life surrounded by love and affection. And just think of what he will be able to give back to you. I have 3 animals that are rescues and they have made my life much more rewarding seeing their little content faces as they curl up to nap at the foot of the bed. Good luck!
P.S. I find pizza is a great lure for stray dogs! And don't forget the water when you get him home. He probably hasn't had any fresh stuff for awhile.
2006-12-12 08:51:15 · answer #4 · answered by WashingtonGirl1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one.
Keep him with you and call the local pound or shelter and tell them you have taken in a stray and give them a good description of the dog. Then if anyone calls the shelter looking for the dog they should be able to connect with you through the shelter. Also inform the shelter that the dog has been neglected and you are willing to wait one week for a call from the owner and after that you will place him in a safe and happy home.
In the meantime, bring him to the vet for a good check up and some basic vaccinations like rabies and distemper. He may not have had them if he was neglected.
Good luck!
2006-12-12 08:43:54 · answer #5 · answered by dog's best friend 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A VERY KIND AND CARING HEART.
the hard part is that elderly dogs have alot of needs. taking the responsibilty of this stray could cost you hundreds at the vet.
if the dog is too old the spca will take the dog in but would most likly put the dog to sleep as they have limited funds.
there are some no-kill shelters that will treat the dog no matter what. but the spcs that you see on anamial planet rarely exisits. good luck, it's a tough decision.
also, having other pets in the house is a worry due to any illnesses this poor old dog could have.
2006-12-12 08:47:16 · answer #6 · answered by rhonda c 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I understand your dilemma. We took in a stray cat 8 years ago who was roaming around my husbands shop looking for food and in a terrible state. He eventually brought her home and after several expensive trips to the vets she fully recovered from her neglect. Unfortunately 3 weeks after taking her in her owner visited my husbands shop asking for his cat back, apparently he'd been on holidays and couldn't find her before he left! My husband said you can have her back if you pay the veterinary fees, he declined and shes still with us. Personally I'd take the dog in and if the owner comes looking then say sorry you didn't realise he belonged to anybody as he was in such a state, but if you are thinking of keeping the dog for yourself be warned veteniary fees can be very expensive.
2006-12-12 08:51:14 · answer #7 · answered by Tracey J 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you have seen the dog straying for 4 weeks and not bothered to call the RSPCA? Why? Whatever you think they will or will nto do, they are the only ones legally able to catch and helop the dog. If you do it you are stealing. That's the law. If you do it and then don't get it veterinary care, you will also be breaking the law. Just call the RSPCA and do it properly.
2006-12-12 22:32:35 · answer #8 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you've only see this dog once leave him be for now and check back at a later time, maybe a week or so.
Some times we mistake medical conditions for neglect or abuse.
And let's face it, sometimes a dog wanders even if the owners are usually pretty dilligent.
I just wouldn't assume anything just yet. It may not be fair to the owners.
2006-12-12 08:46:13 · answer #9 · answered by ljn331 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would take him to the vets & then keep him. Might not be legally correct but if things are as bad as you say then its the right thing to do morally. I found a young dog a while back that had been hit by a car, not fatally injured but limping etc.took back to owners who DIDN'T take to vet & then let the dog roam as before.made me really angry. Hope for the dogs sake you take it home.
2006-12-12 09:01:56 · answer #10 · answered by la.bruja0805 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋