Should I report someone that leaves there dogs in freezing cold weather?

Question

I'm a meter reader, so I walk through hundreds of yards each week, and see dogs outside all year round. But I feel bad for some, for example, Friday in Jersey was 10 degrees outside with below 0 wind chill factor,I was freezing, and at 6:30am I saw a Golden lab mix who had obviously braved the night. and every other night cause the dog is never inside, he has a doghouse but no blankets, I would never do that to my dog. What should i do, again I walk through the same yards every month and know the dogs that are always outside in the cold. Should i report these people? I also ask myself if this dog is picked up and then put to sleep, if i should have kept my mouth shut. I would'nt want that for the dog at all. thanks for you help

Answer 1

I would call the local SPCA and ask what your duty would be, and what constitutes the neglect ordinance in your area.

My farm dog, Great Pyrenees was ONLY happy, if he was out with the livestock..He would sleep in shelter or out, where ever his charges were..so each case might be different, depending on the type of dog..

Answer 2

Report their butts to the a.s.p.c.a!! It would be different if they had a dog house with some hay, blankets and maybe a heat lamp, but nothing is just cruel. However my golden retiever use to drag her blanket out into the snow and lay on it , in the middle of the day (just to make us feel bad, but we always brought her inside when it was really cold or snowy. Just make sure you have a log of the incindences so you can tell them. Glad to know there are people that still care about their animals. Some of the people should be treated how they treat their animals as their punishment so they know how it feels.

As far as the animals being put down, the aspca (or aminal dept.) will probally issue a warning and if nothing is done about it they usually will just sieze, fine or charge the owner and then they'll put the animal and put it up for adoption.

Answer 3

You need to report cases like you described. Basically, make a report anytime a dog is left out in a yard when it is below freezing. It is illegal for dog owners to have their dog outside if it is below freezing (37 degrees) unless the dog has an insulated dog house. The dog will NOT be taken away. so don't worry. The police or animal control will just go to the house and give the owner a fine/citation, which will make the owner bring the dog inside.

Answer 4

OK here's the thing, getting an animal taken away for neglect like you are trying to is very hard. Obviously leaving any animal outside in this kind of weather is horrible neglect, however, as you seem to know, there's not exactly a shortage on dogs and cats...and so authorities are generally not keen on taking yet another animal in. If the dog has shelter and water it will be very hard to make a case on removing the animal. I tried with horses once and because their were trees and a running stream in their pasture, though that was all, they could not be removed.
Personally, I think you should remove them, but dont be heart broken when you find nothing happens. There are just so many animals neglected in this world that authorities have to choose their battles. Good luck. Maybe throw the dog a blanket he could get comfortable in or something.

Answer 5

yes, while he has provided a covered shelter for his pet he is still not doing a good enough job protecting him from the elements. Call the ASPCA and they will be more that happy to send someone out to educate the guy, it just may be a case of him not knowing that he needs to do a little more to protect his pet and if he acts like "it's only a dog" then they may threaten to take the dog with them and they will write him a warning if nothing else. Also if they go during the day, if you can, be there to show them how bad it is and let them know that you have seen this for a while. The ASPCA will not put the dog down without good cause as he is so aggressive that he is deemed unadoptable.

Answer 6

Start by checking your city, county and state laws. A know that a Golden lab mix is not breed to be an out door dog by any means. Contact animal control for information on what they do to person who do this to animals, most start with contacting the owner; if contact can not be made and teh animal is in grave conditions, the officer will take the dog/s withthem leaving a message for the owner to contact them ASAP about the animal. It is up to you to give your name and number in the case. An animal of this sort would not be put down, since it is friendly with you, it would be mostly likely friendly with most. A hold is put on the animal until the case is closed, then if the persons are not aloud to keep the animal, the animal is put up for adoption with a minimum aloud time of two weeks before the animal is relocated for adoption else where.

Answer 7

You could always report the conditions to the humane society. they will determine if the dog is in sub-standard conditions. They will put the dog up for adoption. There are so many rescue groups out there these days, not as many animals are put to sleep right away. That dog might be better off in another home. Dogs can sustain colder temperatures than we can. But the weather you describe does seem cruel. Dogs need attention, time and love, not just warmth. It sounds like this dog needs a new home.

Answer 8

Absolutely! The investigators will visit and, if the law is being broken, give the owners a chance to make changes. They will not immediately confiscate the dog unless it is in an absolutely dire situation. And, in that case, a humane death is probably preferable. Still, that is not likely to happen.

By the way, it is best to report these things before the severe weather hits. Unfortunately, many people wait until it is freezing or sweltering outside. Then the humane investigators are inundated and it takes longer to respond to cases, just when an investigation is more serious.

Answer 9

Some dogs really are outside dogs. Some aren't. If the dogs you see are big dogs with thick coats, then they're probably perfectly fine. If, on the other hand, you see a small dog, a hairless, or anyone that's visibly freezing (shivering, etc.) then certainly don't hesitate to report. Use your better judgement, and don't be afraid to report if you think you probably should. After all, if ASPCA came out and determined the dog was fine, no one would be any worse off, and if they determine the dog is NOT fine, then the dog would be better off in their care. Even if it would be euthanized, it would be better than freezing to death.

Answer 10

Um, if this dog has been kept out in the cold all the time like this, then in all likelyhood this dog is QUITE used to the cold weather. Golden Lab mixes are ESPECIALLY extremely well suited for cold weather, and are originally cold weather semi-artic dogs. So before you decide that a dog is in the wrong weather for it, make SURE about it because the dog could be having the time of his life enjoying the weather.

Answer 11

God Bless You, for caring so much about the welfare of the dogs. What the owner is doing, is cruel, animal abuse! People like that, should be restricted, from owning any pets, and should be prosecuted for abusing them. You would be doing the best thing, for the welfare of the dogs, and possibly saving their lives. They deserve a chance at a happy life, with someone who will love them and take care of them, the proper way. They can't speak for themselves, so someone has to speak for them. As far as being picked up and put to sleep, there are alot of people out there looking to adopt these dogs, and I really don't think they will be put to sleep. I really think you should report them, and get these dogs out of the immediate danger that they are in now. Thank You again for caring, and rescuing these poor dogs!