Is this illegal?

Question

My neighbor has 4 italian greyhounds. We just got a ton of cold weather and snow. It's like 15 degrees outside right now. My neighbor NEVER brings his dog inside. They are outside 24/7. I thought with the cold weather, he might bring them in, but they are out there, walking all funny from trying to keep their feet from getting cold. They do have 1 doghouse, between all 4 dogs. Is this illegal? Should I report him? I'm just not sure. I mean, I know it's wrong, morally, but not sure if there is anything that can be done about it legally. By the way, he's a cop and should know better.

Answer 1

If you believe the dogs are in danger, contact Animal Control (which is usually a division of your local police department). Tell them your concerns. Animal Control will be bound by law to go out to check on the dogs -- even if the owner is a cop himself. Once you file a complaint, Animal Control must respond to it in some fashion.

Having a dog stay outside generally is NOT considered "neglect" UNLESS the dogs are physically unsafe, have no ready access to food and water, have no protection from extreme weather, or are secured in such a way as to endanger their life (like being chained up with a chain that can get wrapped around the dog's neck or body). If these hounds don't have access to unfrozen water, and/or have no way to keep warm in extreme cold temperatures, their situation may indeed be labeled "neglect".

Call animal control; let them handle it.

Answer 2

Don't call PETA! I used to give donations to those crappy people until I watched them in action. So if you don't want those dogs destroyed do not call them. Don't believe me? Do a search about them killing dogs and pups in their vans after they pick them up. Or charges of abuse they are in court for or how they turn dogs against eachother at shows so they fight and then they can say shows are inhumane(seen this one myself twice!) They aren't what they clam to be. Too bad more people don't know the truth.
Since you probably won't get anywhere reporting to the police maybe there is something you can do to help them. Toss a blanket or something over the fence. Or maybe you and a few neighbors take turns asking if there is anything he might need to help keep them warm. Maybe the jerk will get the hint or realize people are watching him.If someone is able to do it have them go offer to take them in at their house. Then again if these dogs have been outside and are used to the cold it may not help to take them in. If there is one house and 4 dogs then they sleep as a pack. Some dogs, like some people just don't know when to get out of the cold. Some people just should be allowed to own a dog. If more breeders were careful about where they placed their puppies it would be a much nicer world.

Answer 3

I don't know if it's illegal, but it should be. It sounds like you live in my old house. Do you live in Indiana? I lived next door to 2 policeman and they always left their 4 dogs outside. They had 2 good size pens and kept them out there in extreme weather. They barked all night when the policemen worked and it would drive my insane. They even kept them in these cages during severe thunderstorms, high winds, cold weather, etc. One of the dogs was also a police dog. It was absolutely terrible. Not only would they keep them in the cage all day, they never took them on walks and would leave them in major filth for days. I would call your local humane society or police department and ask them if there are laws regarding this. I believe this is animal cruelty. I wish I had called someone and could kick myself in the a** for being such a wimp. Can you believe anyone would do this, especially a police officer?

Answer 4

YES to both questions, he must provide a shelter for each dog and people a encouraged to bring dogs like that indoors if they do NOT have adequate shelter for them. It doesn't matter if the guy is a cop or not call animal control on his sorry tail ASAP and you're right he should know better. Unfortunately some people that enforce the law seem the think that they can get away with breaking it.

Answer 5

Report him to animal control, and then your local news station.What he is doing extremely cruel. If it is below freezing that means their water has turned to ice. In order to keep a dog outside you have to provide shelter & water to all animals involved. Here inChicago when calls are made our Animal Control goes to the residence, makes they owner bring the dogs inside, or removes the dogs and fines the owner. Do not tolerate animal cruelty, report them immediately. You never know since he is a policeman maybe he will get a phone call concerning your complaint, and he will just bring in his dogs. But under no circumstances can you ignore this.

Answer 6

This is so sad - Italian Greyhounds have extremely low bady fat, and nearly no fur - this is definately a house dog. I can't believe someone would get 4 & not realize this! Maybe you could contact someone in the Italian Greyhound Rescue group closest to you, and ask them for advice - or suggest to him he re-home them. This is cruelty & neglect...these are not Siberian Huskys, Malamutes or some other outdoorsy breed.

I hope this helps: http://www.italiangreyhound.org/rescue/rescuewebs.html

Answer 7

Yup, illegal. Owners are required by LAWS to provide adequate food, water, shelter and medical service to their animals. As a policeman, he should know this. But people don't always know everything, so you must assume he doesn't know the law. Call the ASPCA in your area and report him for abuse. Explain the situation and let them follow up on the matter. They will not disclose to him who reported him. Sherrifs usually accompany the ASPCA people, but not usually the first visit. Don't call the police, as they might alert their fellow cop of who made the report against him, and you don't need that.

Answer 8

I'm not sure if it's legal or not, I'm sure that varies from state to state and even by town/city. The thing to do is call your local animal control office and simply describe the situation. They will know what action to take and have the authority to do something about it. They may even allow you to remain anonymous - I've called in anonymously once for a similar situation. Good luck!

Answer 9

Dogs need to have regular vet care, adequate shelter from the elements, and food and water available at all times. I would report it to the humane society or animal control and have them make a decision about if the care is adequate or not - if you don't think it is, it probably isn't!

Answer 10

You could always call the humane society and ask if it is illegal. If it is report him. If it's not then maybe you could find a couple of extra cheap dog houses and give them to him with the excuse they were given to you and you don't need them. Put some extra covers in them(that you don't need any more), as if they were in them when they were given to you.