Is this animal abuse?

Question

My neighbor has 3 large German Shepard dogs in their back yard, they never pay any attention to them execpt to yell at them to shut up when they bark, they left on Dec.22 and were gone until Jan. 2. The Dogs barked all night long and there were so many complaints to the police they finally impounded the dogs, they got them back as soon as they returned. I've seen the owner slug one of them right across the jaw. The tempertures here now are 3 to 40 below 0. They never put the dogs inside. They do have heat lamps and doghouses under the porch. I think the dogs are being treated cruelly. Can anything be done about this?

Answer 1

Of course that is animal cruelty! Call your local ASPCA or humane society and report them asap. Also, if possible, take pictures of their living arrangements for more proof. Don't stay quiet, humans are the only voice animals have!

Answer 2

You can report to them to your local animal control. They will do an investigation, but they have to find actual evidence that the abuse is taking place. They will look for injuries that have gone untreated or that are unexplainable, whether the dogs looked well nourished and have a readily available supply of food and water, the living conditions for the dogs etc. The temperature may be an issue depending on where you live. Some places only require that the dog have some sort of shelter such as a dog house and others are more strict. But even if you don't see obvious signs, you should report them anyway. There may be things going on that you don't know about

Answer 3

Write this all down, with dates if you can remember. If you have a camera, take photos as well. Call your local police department and tell them the whole story and ask that a humane agent come and investigate them.

If that doesn't get you anywhere - don't give up. Those dogs really really need you. They cannot help themselves.

You could call a local news station as well. That will usually get the police involved if they are unwilling at first.

That's absolutely abuse. Those people are disgusting and don't deserve to own a pet rock, let alone a dog.

Answer 4

you're right - that's abuse..

I would look into local shelters and rescues - let them now.

laws differ from province/state/municipalites.. some have stronger laws than others.. Here where I live - those dogs could legally be seized by the SPCA and the owners charged..

If the laws do not have sufficient "teeth" (no pun intended) where you live.. still let the rescue groups know - as many are prepared to act "outside the law" to save abused animals.

And before anybody starts any kind of "who cares they only dogs.." argument - it sould be pointed out that statistically it is the abused, unsocialized dog like this that is most likely to cause serious harm should they ever escape. Obviously, irresponsible dog owners like this are a risk to the community as a whole.

Answer 5

If they have heat lamps and dog houses which apparently are considered adequate since they returned the dogs then you don't have a case in that department. As far as hitting the dog, you'll need proof, not only eyewitness, but a noticeable injury. If you get this proof, call and report them immediately, that's definately abuse. It would be so much easier if dogs could just talk, huh?

Answer 6

TURN THE COCK SUCKERS IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That **** is animal abuse!!!!!!!! Even if they don't pay attention to them that right there is neglect!!!!! Tell the cops, or animal control what you've seen, and heard, and i'm sure they'll do something about it. You need to tell the owners that they need to get their heads out their @$$es, and pay attention to their pets!! They don't need pets, they need to be taken away, given to someone that will love them, and pay attention to them!!!

About the weather, nothing can really be done. Dogs were made to be outside in that kind of cold. Although with GS, I don't think they were made for THAT cold! But they do at least have heat lamps, so they won't totally freeze! Even though they need to be inside, there isn't really anything you can do. Unless you see cicles hangin from their bodies, or snow clumps, you can't say anything about it.

I'd definately turn them in!! If they yell at the dogs, leave them outside, and hit them, then yes, that's animal cruelty. It's going to take some time for them to sort everything out, but maybe if you set up a camcorder outside to see what goes on, and if you have a tape of the owner hitting the dog, then you can use that to turn him in!!

Answer 7

Yes, I would say that constitutes as abuse. Call your local humane society. They have to investigate all claims and will issue a citation if neglect is found. The owner will have a certain time frame to improve on the needed areas if if improvement is not done the humane officer can seize the dogs and charge the owners with misdemeanor or felony animal abuse charges depending on the violation(s).

Answer 8

Yup, most of that would be considered animal abuse. Call your local shelter or spca and they'll send out an officer to check it out. You can make anonymous complaints, so you won't have to worry about the neighbor becoming nasty to you. Good job looking out for the animals...if only more people cared and paid attention like you are!

Answer 9

If you report you seen them hit them and the dog has injurys that prooves it call your local ASPCA or Animal Control office and make a complaint. If the dogs have Shelter food and are not being abused physically theres not much they can do.

Answer 10

I think it's definitely animal abuse, especially by neglect. Those owners are extremely irresponsible and their dogs don't deserve to be treated that way. If you contact your local humane society and file a complaint, maybe they can intervene to save the dogs.
Good luck! I really hope it works. It really upsets me when people abuse animals.

Answer 11

Yes you should take pictures and call the police and tell them and they will get help or you should call the aspca you need to do it soon so the dogs can still have a second chance at life