What should I have done when I saw a woman abuse her dog?

Question

I was at work the other day when a dog that was tied up outside my store (I work retail) started to bark and wag its tail playfully. He obviously just missed his owner and wanted to play. I guess the owner got mad at him for barking 'cause she stormed out towards him. As soon as the dog spotted her he shrunk down to the ground, and put his head down. She shocked me by lifting this medium/big sized dog by his collar, I guess so that it would move - I dont really know why. He did not stop barking - so she went out again and gave him a couple swats on the head - not really hard, but hard enough to make his chin hit the ground while lying down. Unfortunately they left before I could do anything, but I really don't know what I should have done. Should I have called the cops? Some kind of animal organization? Or am I over reacting?

Answer 1

Really most people turn a blind eye to pet abuse! Call the police or in many city they have Animal police that will site the person and most likely take the animal if it is being abused excessively. Great Question! Invokes the thoughts of those who own animals and you will see that we probably all agree .... call the cops!

Answer 2

Call the police; they will then call the appropriate animal control authorities. In the meantime, the best thing to do is to write down the following: what you saw, when you saw it, where it happened, how many times it happened, and anything that may be used to identify the owner and the animal.

If someone will abuse their pet this way in front of strangers, just imagine how they will treat their pet in private; I cringe at the thought. You can still let the authorities know; chances are that someone has already reported this individual, since this is probably not the first time they've behaved this way.

Animals do count on us to keep them safe, so please do what you can as soon as you can.

Answer 3

I would have called the police. But that's easy for me to say. You were at work and in a bad position, because the abuser was a customer. If it happens again, go to your manager. If it happens on the street, call the police and try to track their location until the cops can get there. I think it's great that you care. When it comes to the abuse of children, the elderly, and animals, it drives me insane.

Answer 4

You should have called the police. If the owner and the pet left before the police arrived, you should have jotted down the license plate number and description of the vehicle.

It may not have stopped what was happening...but at least they name and address would be known and the police could turn it over to the property authority to have an investigation started.

Answer 5

I'm a dog lover, and I don't condone hitting animals.. but I think you were overreacting a little. Unless you saw her actually beating it or truly hurting it, it's none of your business and the police should definitely not be involved. It's not against the law to be a bad dog owner, unless the dog is physically being harmed.

Answer 6

the person doesn't deserve to have an animal, if it was hard enough that you would have called the police if it was a child, you should have done it for the animal, very few animals are born bad/mean, most get that way because of their owners,

Answer 7

Call your local shelter at once. Would you hesitate if that was a child. Same thing applies here. The animal is defenseless and looks to us for help and care. Call whoever you need to. Thank you for saying it's only a dog.

Answer 8

Call the police or animal police! That dog shouldn't get hit! It needs a nice owner!!!!!!!! Grr!

Answer 9

call the humane society and let them know. It is not right to abuse an animal. Im so happy that you are not turning away and forgetting about it. You are doing the right thing.

Answer 10

I think you should have try to talk to her, becuase dogs are animals they have feelings too, and i think should have call the cops, or the animal patrol so they could have talk to her about abusing her dog.