My parent's dog is in sad shape and it hurts me to see her in such condition. What can I do???

Question

The dog, Sally, is a 12 year old shepherd mix. Whenever I come home to visit my parents I see her tied outside, dirty, tired, (and depending on the weather) cold and wet. She is starting to have hip problems and she can hardly control her bladder. My family, as it seems, is too preoccupied with themselves to care for Sally beyond feeding and occasionally walking. They don't like having her inside because 1) they live in a small house and 2) they don't like the mess she leaves behind. I don't necessarily think Sally is treated terribly; I think my parents are not responsible or caring enough. I want Sally to be happy and healthy but I think accusing my family of being irresponsible to provoke changes is the wrong move. Any suggestion for what I should do? I personally can't support Sally, but I want to help her condition.

Answer 1

Speak with them about re-homing the dog. No dog deserves to be out in the cold, especially when they have health problems.

Answer 2

This dog IS being treated terribly. Just because your parents haven't set out to be cruel - I'm afraid ignorance causes just as awful things as cruelty.

This poor dog. I value my family more than anything, but if I found them treating an animal like this I wouldn't care about their damn feelings, I'd take the dog to a shelter that will properly care for it, pronto.

This dog is old, arthritic, incontinent - and being kept outside? In whatever weather? This is animal cruelty, intentional or not. Sorry coz it's you own parents and all that, but neglect it neglect. If your parents can't be made to act responsibly, then you have to. Or expect someone else to - I would if I was your parent's neighbour.

An animal has basic rights to food and shelter - and 'freedom to express normal behaviour' which obviously the dog can't do when tied up. These laws are called the 'Five Freedoms' - sounds like this dog has few of these.

I hope you've come to realise that, difficult though this is, this is a case of animal cruelty and you have a moral responsibility to get the dog out of this situation. Call shelters in your area, or even vets for advice, see who you can get to rescue the dog. There are plenty of no-kill shelters.

Chalice

Answer 3

that is sad that you cant take her? Do you know a family member or someone close to take her. I don't think an animal shelter would take care of her the way she needs to be taken care of. A dog should feel loved! Can they not allow her into certain areas of the house like a laundry room and put a blanket on the ground for her to come in from the rain and cold weather?

why is she tied up outside? is there no fence? this is a horrible situation... I'm sorry.

Answer 4

You could try approaching your parents in a calm, mature manner, and expressing your concerns to them. Explain to them that Sally is not as young as she used to be, and may need more attention and care to provide the basic necessities needed for a quality life. If they don't feel they can provide the care she needs, you might suggest giving her up for adoption. The humane society in some areas will take these animals and re-home them. Most areas have no-kill shelters that find homes for older dogs.
If you don't feel they will listen, or will get angry at you, you could always place an anonymous call to animal services.

Answer 5

I can tell you what I would want to do ...

I would want to find her a good home and then remove her from your parent's home

and then just tell your parents that she got free and ran away

that poor dog needs to have some happy time in the later years of her life, she deserves it, how hopeless she must feel

I could not stand it to know she was suffering in this way, i would do something, I bet she would do her best to help you if you were in such a situation
if nothing else ... she would lie by your side with her head upon you trying her best to give you comfort

sometimes we all have to stand up for what is right and help those that cry out in silence for our help, you just can not walk away from it ..

the memories of her tied up ... in the nasty weather ... in the condition you described would literally haunt me forever

Answer 6

Would it be ok if someone tied YOU up all day and night long and paid no attention to YOU all day or all night? Would it be OK if all anyone did was bring YOU food and water? Would it be OK if you sat out in the rain and the cold and the snow without a warm place to sleep??? We treat our HOMELESS better then your parents treat that poor dog....it is your DUTY to discuss their POOR treatment with them---they shouldn't HAVE a dog if they are going to neglect it like they obviously have.... your parents should KNOW better... ..someone other then YOU may finally wake up one day and call the ASPCA on your parents and then they will be facing charges, fines and have ARREST RECORDS.... wanna wait till THEN?

Answer 7

Buy Sally a dog house with some pillows in it if you can't take her in. She's 12. She's not going to be around that much longer.

Answer 8

My parent had for dogs, now 3 and they do the exact same thing. They are dirty, they walk all over their feces because they are chained up, but luckily they are on a runner and they each get like a 60ftX10ft run. They get fed and watered everyday but its so sad. Everytime I go to see them they are extremely happy to see someone and I take them for walks but unfortunately i cant do this all the time. One of their dogs legs are going out so it cant run without falling. Their hair is mangled up and are fee infested probably ticks.. I dont know how to approach my parents either without them telling me to take them. But I'm in school and I have no money to take them to a vet, I cant just let them go because I cant even think of them being killed on the road.

Answer 9

If she is tied out without protection from the weather it's animal cruetly plain and simple and your parents could face charges if someone reports them. In many places tying out is also illegal as dogs are not protected from other people and roaming animals and often become fearful and even aggressive.

You should advise them that they are breaking the law. Tell them they need to make changes or find a new home for the dog.

Answer 10

A dog house sounds like an ok option. Maybe you could talk to a rescue group in your area about finding her a better home. She needs more care than she is able to get at your parents.