Should I steal my sister's dog and put him in a better home?

Question

My older sister lives with her husband in a two-story house. She is the owner of a little dog named Beau. He is half-yorkie and half-miniature pinscher. She does not treat this dog well. She doesnt abuse him, he gets food and water, but no love and attention. No grooming, no walks, she doesnt play with him..nothing. What I hate most about the way she "cares" for him is that she leaves him in the garage for longer than 8 hours. Its either really hot or really cold in there. Im afraid the dog is gonna die of a heat stroke, and it breaks my heart to see Beau treated that way. He is not loved in this home, he is only an accessory to it. I wanna take him away without her knowing and put him in a better home or take him to the pound where I KNOW someone will pick him up quickly. I want him to have a better life.

Answer 1

Uhhh No! If you get caught you can go to JAIL! Hellooooo?!?

If the dog is being treated badly call animal control! Do NOT take the matters into your own hands.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, most states/cities would not consider this animal abuse - it all depends on where you live and the SPCA or animal control. She provides the dog shelter (the garage) and food/water. Now, if his toe nails are growing into the pads because he doesn't get any grooming, that's a different story. Please don't think I agree with how she treats him - it's awful. But, I work in rescue and a lot of state laws say you only have to provide food, water and shelter.

I would definitely talk to her about re-homing him or taking better care of him. Be careful about the pound - you'd be surprised at the amount of animals that DON'T make it out of there - including the cute little puppies. The ones that are "owner surrenders" are killed first. Some get 3 days to find a new home and some don't even get that much.

Answer 3

You should not steal him. This will cause tension between you and your sister. She may report the dog as stolen. She may actually like Beau but is not educated enough to know how to treat him. You should talk to her about the problems your having with her dog. If she doesn't change her ways then call animal control or the dog warden. It sounds a lot like you want this dog. Why can't you give him a home? You're sister may be more comfortable about giving the dog to you and you keeping it than you taking her dog away and putting it in a pound. Pounds are filled with unwanted pets and there is a chance that he won't be taken to a new home quickly.

Answer 4

Well.. I would say YES get the poor dude out of there... BUT ONLY if you are 100% sure that you will be providing the dog a better home.. The shelter is NOT better than the home you described.. If you cannot be guaranteeing that little dog that you will find him a home forever, and a home where he is loved and adored, then leave him where he is.

But I would also approach the sister and tell her what you think.. Maybe they don't realize that they are neglecting him... Maybe they don't know how to interact w/ a dog. Some people, pet ownership and love comes naturally, some people it is something they work on, some people never get it. She's your sister... I have a sister, and when she put her Golden in the backyard cause she had a baby.. I told her what I thought of it.. Course I am a little shy and reserved when it comes to telling people what I think, but I can tell my sister what I think, and force my ideas on her.. Pretty well I might add ! :)

Answer 5

Technically, if a dog has shelter, food and water, and it is not being abused, its not to skinny, and it has protection from the sun, the ASPCA can't do much. They would talk with her, and try to help Beau out, and would persuade her to sign the dog over to the ASPCA. If they don't have any abuse evidence they can't do much. But you can have a talk with your sister, (one on one) and if u can't do that, tell her over the phone or over the computer(if you feel you can't tell her face to face. If you can't do that, you can call the ASPCA for them to talk with her, and they don't tell who called. Or can offer to take care of Beau yourself, it will be like having your own dog without paying for it. It will be fun to do that, even ask if you can have a key to the house and make his life better. But if u take her then that will be stealing, I have been in this situation twice when i was about 10. I want to become an veterinarian so i have studied into this kinds of stuff. Good Luck!!

Answer 6

You don't sound very certain of the dogs future, if you do take it. The dog's life may be hard now, but taking it to the pound is no guarantee it will become better. Lots and lots of people neglect and actively abuse animals! This sounds to me like a very mild case, even though a bit sad. Certainly not one the local authorities would prosecute. Imagine what that failed attempt would do to your relationship with your sister! Maybe you resent your sister's behaviour and would like to teach her a lesson; if so, please find some other way to do it. Befriend this dog, if possible, and bring a little joy into its life. Bring it treats and take it for walks, and you will see it is able to be happy.

Answer 7

Do not steal the dog! lol...nor would I take the dog to the pound, because it's sad to say, there's a pretty big chance that the dog won't get adopted and will get put down. I mean there is that chance the dog can find a good home, but I could never find it in my heart to take a dog to the pound. Have you tried talking to your sister? Maybe she loves the dog and doesn't want to get rid of it, but just doesn't have the time for it?? You need to let her know how important it is for her dog to get the attention and obedience it needs, and she needs to question herself if she really needs this dog or not...sounds like she doesn't. Would you be able to adopt it? Or offer to help take care of the dog? It just seriously sounds like the dog needs a new home, but please, don't take it to the animal shelter. Good luck

Answer 8

stealing is illegal and can get you some jail time, so i don't agree that you should steal the dog. there is no abuse so the authorities cant take the dog either. the best thing you can do is talk to your sister and tell her you think the dog would be happier in a home where he will get more attention.

after reading your details again, i would say that if the dog is out in the garage on very hot or cold days call the ASPCA, humane society or animal control immediately and report it, because that is animal abuse

Answer 9

Yeah on a hot day put your sister out in the garage with a coat on for 8 hours and on a cold day put her out there for another 8 hours see how she like it. I'm sorry I think your sister is a stupid beoch that shouldnt own anything ... turn her in to your local authority's you know if you steal the dog she would prolly find out although it is tempting oh hell why not go get the dog and save its life .........

Answer 10

Don't put him in the pound, he may be put to death actually, and anyway he will be put in a cage and taken from his home. Actually, you can't take the dog away from his home anyway, you don't know if he likes it there. Dogs don't think like us. Anyway, this dog does have a home, even if not the perfect one. If you can rehoem a dog, do that for an abandoned dog who is in the immediate danger of getting killed. And talk to your sister about your concern, if she agrees perhaps you could rehome her dog or perhaps she may treat him better, if she realises the treatment she gives him now is considered as an abuse.

ONLY ACT IF YOU HAVE ALREADY FOUND A DEFINITELY BETTER HOME FOR THE DOG, NOT SOMEONE WHO SOUNDS BETTER, THEY MAY ACTUALLY BE WORSE AFTER THEY LOSE INTEREST IN THE PUPPY.

Answer 11

I don't know your relationship with your sister but do you think speaking to her and giving her a gift of a 'how to' care manual for raising a dog would help? Maybe she honestly doesn't realize that a dog needs about as much attention as a toddler child does.

You cannot just steal the dog. I would think that would create a permanent gap in your family forever. She would never feel trust for you again and I couldn't blame her.