Humane Society REFUSED to help!?

Question

I was in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado last week (Pikes Peak region). We found a dog on the side of a road (on a mountain). We talked to some of the locals and were told that the dog had been there for at least 3 days in the exact same spot (no houses for 2 miles in either direction). We called the Humane Society and were told that they would not come out and pick him up because he was on private property (again, no houses for 2 miles) and there was no leash law in that area. The police wouldn't help, local wildlife rescues couldn't help, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo couldn't help. We tried to get the dog into our car but he was so scared that he tried to bite us. So basically this dog was left for dead either from elements or bears. The woman at the Humane Society told me that if I wanted something to change I needed to write a congressman.

What the heck was that all about?? How can a dog be left for dead on a mountain??? Is this really how things work in some regions?

It was getting too late in the evening to be out there (bears) so we left him with a bucket of water and dog food. The next day we went back and he was gone. No signs of a struggle (no blood anyways) and the Humane Society said they didn't pick him up, neither did the police. (The police told me that they could only pick him up if he bit someone).

I'm back home in Illinois now so I'll never know what happened to the dog.

Answer 1

Hello! Listen, I am a loving, caring dog owner living here in Florida. Not to play devil's advocate, but a lot of times, people assume that dogs are completely helpless. You don't mention in your post what type of dog it was (large or small) or if it was injured. If it were injured, I can see your concern. I can only assume it was a large dog because you "couldn't" get the dog into your car without being afraid of getting bitten.

Please remember, people, that dogs have been around for millions of years -- way before ASPCA's and humane societies ever existed! Dogs are not "helpless" animals. And if the dog was scared of you, enough to try to bite, then it probably is a feral dog and would just be put down if/when the Humane Society picked it up anyway. What did you think they'd do with a wild dog?!! Undoubtedly, it would've been destroyed for "safety's sake." It's one thing if you see a family pet on the side of the road, wearing tags and looking like it's not sure where it's next meal will come from. But remember, feral/wild dogs do still exist and they do just fine without human interferance.

Answer 2

That's not right. Maybe is this the same organization if you called a ASPCA? If they'd come out. That's not right that a shelter wouldn't' come out when the dog was left in the mountain region with no homes in sight. They are suppose to take animals in for pete's sakes wow. Maybe if you could still see if it was there coax it with some food into your car or somehow get a leash around it or something and get it into a car or get some friends to help or something. But if you can't hopefully someone has tried too. I feel so bad like you are probably too and frustrated that no one will help. I agree what the heck is wrong with those people that wont' help

Answer 3

Unfortunately, things are that bad in some areas. But it isn't that way everywhere. Just to let you know, Florida cares a lot more about animals, and down here in Ft. Myers, we care enough that we go out of our way to take care of things like that. Our HS is a no kill shelter, which many are not. Our animal control unfortunately, isn't, but they really stretch the limits, and exceed them on the length of time they keep the dogs for adoption. They have gone far above and beyond to save the lives of some abused animals, and found homes for them. They prosecute abusers to the limit. We have another no kill shelter that has many permanent residents.

We have a PetSmart and a Petco that have regular adoption days at least twice a month. We have several rescue organizations in the area. We even have a couple of independent organizations that rescue wildlife like lions, tigers, big cats, etc....as well as CROW, which does wildlife rescue with birds of all sizes and kinds.

So....not all places are as uncaring. We can only hope he lived around there and finally decided it was time to go home.

Answer 4

These agencies can only work within the law in their area. However, someone from that same humane society may have come by on their own time and retrieved the dog - someone who has experienced handling a scared stray and could safely snare the dog. I have seen that happen. Sadly, though, most people don't care enough and the animal is left to starve. This wouldn't have applied to you because you didn't live there but humane societies will often loan out traps so the animal can be safely brought to them. They are just not allowed to pick them up.

Be careful contacting the police. I don't know how widespread it is but in Bell County, TX, the Sheriff sends a deputy with the title of Animal Control Officer out to shoot the dog (issued a scoped rifle).

Answer 5

That is really sad. I feel so bad for that dog. I dont understand how that would be private property if there are now houses for miles. Wow... Good job trying to get it into the car though. We need more people like you around. I know you probably feel bad leaving it there, but you know that you did all that you could.

Answer 6

Ive seen it in the mountain too...he might be wild and probably can fend for himself---hunting i mean. You never know he could belong to some rancher for protection and just wandered off. My grandparents have cattle dogs and they are found miles away from home all the time. Don't feel too horrible! It is sad though the way people are handling the dog crisis---to many dogs not enough homes!

Answer 7

I know it is pathetic...

I work at an animal clinic in Tx... and the other day... there was a guy that hit his neighbors dog... he was good because he brought the dog in himself... the dog for sure had broken ribs, and possibly internal injuries...

I was wondering why the only thing we could give the dog was oxygen.. they told me that they couldnt do anything until they got the owner on the phone... or contacted him somehow... even though the dog was sitting on the table yelping, we couldnt do anything about it but give it oxygen... enough to keep it breathing...

It isnt fair, i know...

Answer 8

That sucks and that is why I hate to watch animal cops and all that crap like that on animal planet because I had a similar situation here in houston and I called the SPCA for help and they did nothing so you know what I told them oh yeah thats right you dont have the damn cameras on you right now so everything goes back to the norm and they get no ,ore of my money

Answer 9

That is such a sad story and I am sorry you had to experience it. This is a good example as to why I stopped donating $$$ to the Humane Society. I had called them numerous times to help animals in the city. They said they would check the dog out & NEVER did.

Answer 10

Dont mean to alarm you - but yes. This is how things go in some areas.

As an aside, where is the dog now? Did you pick him up and take him to a shelter?