How do I convince animal control not to put a dog to sleep?

Question

Animal control is making me put my dog to sleep because she broke her arm and it didn't heal back perfectly. How ever she is still a very active and happy dog. She uses her leg still and doesn't limp or anything. She has no health issues and is only 3 years old. She shouldn't have to die. What do I do?

Animal control is making me put my dog to sleep because she broke her arm and it didn't heal back perfectly. How ever she is still a very active and happy dog. She uses her leg still and doesn't limp or anything. She has no health issues and is only 3 years old. She shouldn't have to die. What do I do?
She did go to the vet for care and wanted to charge $4,000 for treatment. So we took her to the H/S for the care but she did get care for it. Unfortunitly nobody was home when it hapened but she was in our back yard. The vet didn't think taking her to H/S was good enough when she went for her fallow up. they said it only healed 80% back to normal. but it did heal completly. 100%. At the fallow up they told us because her leg would never be the same even though she was in no pain she needed to be put to sleep. When we refused they called A/C and told them we refused to put a suffering dog down. So they took her. I may not be able to tell if she is in pain but they have no proof she is.

She is a playfull, loving dog. After her leg healed she runs around the yard and plays with my other dog. She always wags her tail and jumps on me when I get home. She has NO limp and walks on it normally. I may not be a vet but she doesn't act like she is suffering. I just don't know how to prove she is ok now that they have her.

Answer 1

Ahhh, what exactly did your dog do that animal control got involved? They don't just appear and tell you that you have to have your dog put down because of a broken leg. What's the whole story here?

Answer 2

What I would do is try to find away to help the dogs. The dogs should not be in the heat what so ever. Water will not help if they get heat stroke and die. Animal control can only take the dogs if someone reports that the dogs are living in an unsuitable area with no access to a clean environment. Especially not a garage that is dirty and HOT!!!!! See if you can't do something like take them for walks and clean the garagae. If you love them you need to take care of them. Also sometimes your local SPCA may offer low cost vaccines for the dogs too and you can call them and ask and let them know that your dogs need the shots but do not have alot of money. but if I were you, I would put the dogs where it is cooler like in the shade and give them an old blanket or towel to sleep on and get them out for walks. This needs to be done. Get your parents to understand that also if the dog bites someone or play bites them, they can carry diseases and hurt someone and then they will be in trouble. So start showing your parents you want to take charge here and change things for the dogs and that you want to take good care of them. Good luck and be firm to your parents about your concerns.

Answer 3

Well I have to say I agree with the others her, however, if you want your dog back take it to the vet and get the leg amputated if it is that bad. Unless it is so full of infection that it cannot be amputated then that is the only reason that I can see that animal control would say the dog would have to be put to sleep. If there is nothing wrong and you are willing to take the dog to a vet I would contact the local newspaper and let them know the story and who knows if you cannot afford a vet one might donate their services just for the publicity.

Answer 4

If she's in good health, they are not allowed to put her down. Be honest with yourself about this though: is she really pain-free? Try going to several different vets (in fact to as many as you can afford, lol) and having them sign a certificate of health and bring it to them, if that doesnt work... well... I love my animals insanely and what I would do is: move. I don't know what situation you're in, but I would make sure they can't find her. Be advised that they need a warrant signed by a judge to take your animal away. You could also start a civil law suit against them. If a vet testifies your dog is in good health, they can't do anything. Sometimes the animal control people or SPCA's are not as righteous as they seem and they have a suprising amount of legal control, in that field they ARE cops. also, if those vets are unwilling to help you, maybe you are wrong about how healthy she is.

Answer 5

We shouldn’t own animals unless we are able to pay for their treatment if they get hurt. If my dog’s break something, I have to pay to have it fixed. If he is hurting (and he would be hurting if he broke his leg) then I also would have to get him pain medication while it is healing. It isn’t about having the money or not, if you can’t pay for it, you shouldn’t take the responsibility on of owning a pet. I’m sorry you are loosing your pet. I wish that it weren’t the case. It’s sad that an otherwise healthy dog is being put down. The leg could probably be broken and reset by a vet if someone could afford to fix it. I would see if you can find a rescue society to sign your pet over to. They may be able to pay for treatment and place her in a home that would be able to care for her. You still would loose your dog, but at least she’d be alive.

Answer 6

Was she taken away from you? Did you not vet her when she broke her leg? Because if that is the case then it was animal cruelty on your part and they are likely just concerned for her future with you since you did not seek proper care for her when she needed it. Seems to me if she had been to the vet for the leg, it would have healed properly. I do not think we are getting the whole story here.

Answer 7

Sounds crazy to me, why would Animal Control get involved. If the dog is happy and walking with no limp?

Answer 8

I dont see why animal control can force you to put a dog to sleep simply cause a broken leg didnt heal properly?

If she needs medical care, they can force you to take her to a vet, or turn her over.

The only time I know of A/C forcing a dog to be put to sleep is if it is aggressive and has bit/attacked someone.

Answer 9

Why is Animal Control involved? Did Animal Control seize your pet? That is they only way animal control has any say in what happens to an animal, if it is under their direct care. If you tell us the whole story, maybe we will be able to help you.

Answer 10

I sense something very very bad in this story.
Animal control tends to have an animals best interest in mind so it makes me wonder what more is going on.