My neighbors' dogs are in horrible condidtion, what should I do?

Question

We moved to a new state from California last year, only to discover the horrible conditions for local animals. The only non-kill shelter for SEVEN surrounding counties is full to capacity, not accepting any more animals. The local animal shelter puts down nearly three quarters of all the animals it receives; killing 285 animals last month. Their staff is unfriendly and unwelcoming of volunteers. Abandoned looking barns near the road by my home are known for dog abandonment; I've rescued four dogs from there, myself. Unfortunately, the land's owner will shoot any strays he sees. Another symptom of the poor care: law enforcement officers can only remove an animal if it is proven they receive inadequate food, water and/or shelter. There in lies my problem. My neighbors have two large dogs.Both dogs are walking mats; I've never seen anything like it! They have difficulty moving...they barely made it through the heat of the recent drought. Is there anything I can do?

Answer 1

talk to your neiborghs about it
ask if you can shave them or take them to the groomer
update and i will add more

Answer 2

All these answers are great, but if the shelter is full, and the dogs with animal control are being put down, you probably will not get anywhere.
I would draft a letter to your state representative about the problem. Your state obviously needs a wake-up call in the humane department. Most states put the Dept. of Agriculture in charge of animal laws, and it sounds as if this branch of your state government is lazy and lacking.
I would love to live there and start a group of concerned citizens to petition to the state for a change in the laws and the funding of your shelters. What you have related is completely unacceptable for government in my book.
Short of that, I would move to another state and give my hard-earned tax dollars to a government that deserves it.

Answer 3

Perhaps you can talk to the neighbors about the condition of their dogs coat. They might not realize how painful it is for the dog.
I have a neighbor that I have know for about forever. He is not real responsible either. I am currently working on him to get a dog pen built for his dog.- so that the dog is not on a chain any longer.
I know that he works alot, so I offered to take to dog to the groomer or the vet provided he pay for it. You might try that option.
The only other option would be to offer to pay for getting the dog groomed at your own expense.
Perhaps once he sees how happy the dogs are he will do a better job of taking care of them in the future.
Take pictures of the dog (several pictures in fact, at different angles) and go to the District Attorney's office and talk to them. Don't know if they can help - but like they say - the proof is in the pudding. ( In other words with the pictures the owner cannot deny the condition of the dog)
Hope this is some help. I really feel sorry for the dogs.

Answer 4

do no longer waste a while chatting with him. A peson that could justify being abusive to a helpless dogs does not understand besides. call the law enforcement officers and Animal administration once you video tape him in the act. Or get some %.. info is maximum suitable. record a checklist for harassment. As he's harassing your sources. Sorry you have such an a$$ for a neighbor!!

Answer 5

You should lease a property and open up an animal care facility. Like you said, all the other facilities in the area are at capacity. If you call the police, the dogs will most likely eventually be killed.

Answer 6

Call your local Peta organization. Most states have some kind of facility. Like friends for life and such. There are dog rescues as well you can call. Usually they will do what ever they can to rescue distressed animals. Good luck

Answer 7

call aspca
they can post a warning if a dog is so matted that it cannot function then if the dog isnt properly groomed in 2 weeks the the animal cops can take the dogs away from their owner

Answer 8

You can call ASPCA, sheriffs dept. or simple try talking to the neighbors. But you can call a news station and share the animal situation (shelter also) with them. Sometimes you can get great results. We had something similar dealing with horses and got results.

Answer 9

Call some type of animal police and report them, but you can tell them to make sure your report is private so your neighbors dont know you reported them and hold a grudge.

Answer 10

Secretly shave them, make sure they have water, if they don't you give them some! Ask your neighbors if they want their dogs, maybe you could take care of them!

Answer 11

i agree call the aspca....they will find a solution, thats what they do. and if i were u, if its possible, file a complaint with the dogs owners. animal cruelty..