Animal Control?

Question

I am a huge Dog lover. My nieghbors never tie up their dog and it really bothers me that they don't care about their dog running away, or being hit by a car, or it biting someone and have to be put to sleep. On top of that it's always in my yard bothering my dog and biting her collars off. It's very aggresssive towards humans. Everytime I go to do something in my yard it comes up to me and growls at me. It scars the crap out of me and any company we have over. I've tried leaving them a note to tie up their dog but it only worked for about a month or so. I kind of feel bad for the dog because you can tell their lack of care for it. People keep telling me I should call animal control but I don't know what they would do...anyone know?

Answer 1

First of all, picking up a dog whom you know the owner of and surrendering it to an animal rescue group is wrong. It is called theft, and both you and the rescue group can get into trouble for receiveing stolen property. And why would anyone want to give a known agressive dog to a rescue?

I would not confront the owner. I have done this in the past and if they don't care about the dog now why would you change their mind? Most times they just get pissed at you, and the situation gets worse. The only time people like this care is when it hits them in the wallet. Let them pay fines. Maybe they'll get it then.

I would contact animal control and make a complaint. Tell them everything you said here, and demand they remove the dog from your yard. I would tell them it is agressive. A mean dog has no place in society. If the owner won't take responsibility, then the dog should be put down. But let law enforcement make that decision!

Answer 2

You should have called long ago.

If the dog is running loose at the time they arrive they will attempt to catch the dog and take him back to the shelter if the owners are not home. If impounded they will have usually a week to reclaim their dog and pick up their tickets. Depending on your local laws. Usually for Running at large & No city license. If it is not claimed the dog will be put up for adoption or euthanized.

Many people make your mistake in dwelling on the fact that this dog may be put to sleep if I call animal control. Now if you have someone visiting and they get bit or you get bit all of a sudden that senario goes out the window and now no one cares if he is put to sleep or not.

So give them a call and file a complaint. And keep calling until they comply.

Even though he is aggressive some dogs do calm down enough at the shelter and are adopted out to a new owner successfully.

Answer 3

Neglect means starvation, no shelter, dying in their own feces - just because the fencing is a bit crap and you don't agree with how the woman cleans her stalls, that is no reason to report her. Many people deep litter their stalls and then strip them once a month - that is not neglect, it's a way to be economical with shavings which are very expensive these days. If he gets turned out for a couple of hours, that is exercise so you can't say he's never ridden or excercised and perhaps there is some reason why he's not ridden, could be an old injury or perhaps he flips over backwards when girthed - who knows? If he has hay, water (feed if needed), adequate shelter from the elements etc, the humane society won't do anything anyway because the basics are covered to maintain the animal. Quite frankly, people need to do something about horses that are real subjects of abuse and neglect instead of reporting everyone else just because they don't maintain their horses and property to the standard of some huge multi-million dollar Thoroughbred farm. If you don't like the fencing, perhaps you might want to shell out $12,000 for a mile of 4 board plank or if the stalls are that bad, how about chucking in $50 for 10 bags of shavings - afterall, you state that you are helping take care of the horse?

Answer 4

I've had this happen to me. I called animal control and they left a note, fined the owner but on a second report asked the owner to give the dog to someone who would/could take care of it.

If this had not worked I had planned on taking the dog to a no-kill animal shelter outside of the county. That way I knew the owner wouldn't find the dog. That would've given the dog the best chance to find a loving home. Just remember it's the owners fault not the dog's.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Often animal control drives around the neighborhood and you will be letting them know something to watch for. If they see the dog off the owners property they can be cited. Most animal control officers will return the pet if they know the owner. They seem to be the bad guy but they really aren't. Its just that they are to uphold laws one of which is not allowing your dog to run at large.

Once they have to pay a few tickets maybe they will tie himup.

Answer 6

Animal control is there to help people and animals. How would you feel if a kid got bit buy this dog because you didn't call? They may work with the dogs behavior. This dog running lose is not a good thing it can hurt someone or its self. I would call if I was you. I would rather my neighbor be mad at me then someone get hurt.

Answer 7

You should tell them face to face that you are going to call animal control. Tell them exactly what you just said here and explain to them that if they do not take care of their dog you will. If they still don't do anything call animal control but there is a chance they will put the dog down if it aggressive. Make sure you tell them that too.

Answer 8

Do contact animal control EVERY time you see the dog loose. Best if you can document with camera/video that date/time stamps it as well so it's not just your word against your neighbors.

Also, it is NOT recommended to ever tie a dog out while unsupervised. A dog could chew through their tie out, get tangled & injured...and definitely with time can become more aggressive by being left alone and tied out.

Answer 9

Call Animal Control. You have done everything you can. They may hate you for it, but if the dog attacks someone they will be held liable for whatever may happen. Do your part as a good neighbor and citizen by calling animal control. You probably don't even have to tell them your name when you call.

They could issue fines, or take their dog with a warrant.

Answer 10

Animal control will likely pick up the dog and charge them a fine for not having the dog on a leash.