is spanking a dog abuse?

Question

My sister's dog has disease which can be life threatening if the dog eats something it shouldn't. The dog was playing in the yard when he found a dead rabbit's head and grabbed it. We yelled at the dog, but he refused to drop it so my sister spanked him until he let go. She did not beat or punch him, she just spanked his butt and said "drop it!" until he did. (sometimes he won't listen)

The neighbor saw and said she was going to call the police if she caught us again. I tried to explain our side to the stupid lady but she did not let us talk. She screamed at us then left. My sister feels horrible about spanking her dog, but if she let him eat that rabbit he may have been killed. If it were my dog I wold have done the same. Which is worse, a spanked dog or a dead dog?

If she does report us and a police officer comes to investigate, we plan on telling the truth. But is spanking a dog considered animal abuse and can my sister be arrested for it? She is pretty scared and sad.

For the person who asked about his disease: Diabetes. If the dog eats something at the wrong time without the insulin he could die. He has to be on a VERY strict schedule and be given his shots twice a day. He can't have treats or anything, just food fro the vet.

akitamom, yes my sister would spank a child if a child was doing something stupid and in danger. So would I. Our parents spanked us all the time. Big deal. Plus my sister did not "endlessly spank" the dog. She did it until he let go. You are a vet tech, big whoop. That is the easiest major in college to get. You are nothing special, get over yourself.

Answer 1

No, I don't think that sounds like abuse. It sounds like disciplin. Your neighbor needs to mind her own business.

Sounds like your neighbor might be used to verbally abusing young people like she did w/you and your sister.

Answer 2

I didn't see what happened...but I will assume that she didn't repeatedly hit her dog and only used her hand. The "spank" most likely hurt her hand more than it hurt the dog. But hopefully it also let the dog know that what he was doing was not right.
I personally do not spank my dog...but then again...my dog does not have a life threatening disease and I have not been put in a situation where my dog could lose her life if she did not listen to me.
As far as it being abuse...I don't think that your sister would have her dog taken from her or arrested because of what happened.
But if her dog is not entirely under voice control maybe it would be a good idea to spend some more time with him and train him to be more responsive to what your sister is telling him since his disease is life threatening. He needs to know to listen to her the first time she tells him something. (once again I am uncertain of the situation so she may already be working with him regularly!)

Answer 3

Yes. You spank him when he runs away. Your teaching him to run faster because your going to abuse him when you catch him. Dogs only learn that you are a total jerk and are an abuser when you hit him. Dogs have weapons too, but seldom use them. Train your dog don't hit him. If you love the dog like you claim then teach him to come and only accept food when you give him permission. It only takes about 10 minutes a couple of times a day. In no time he'll be a much better behaved dog. Please don't hit the dog again. It just wrong and mean. It only teaches the dog that your mean. Our dogs are only a part of our life for a short time. When he has died do you want to remember how mean were to your him and feel bad for the rest of your life. Give him a good life with lots of care and love not abuse and meaness.

Answer 4

Yes it is abuse and good that the neighbor saw it happen. There is NO REASON a dog should ever be hit, if it needs behavior management, get it some training. If you are going to let it outside then it has to be monitored so it does not get into things that could kill it, therefore you may be a slave to the leash to make sure you can pull it away from whatever it may go after. If this were a child and it got into something it shouldn't that could be life threatening, would your sister have spanked it endlessly too?....no, the neighbor is not the stupid one here...need a clue to who that may be?

I think there are a few people on here that need to hook up with a GOOD dog trainer and ask them if it is EVER okay to hit a dog..I CANNOT believe what I am reading here.

Answer 5

Some dogs are just hard headed. I had one once. Hitting is not necessary if the dog is well trained. Sounds like your sister needs to train the dog to release what is in it's mouth. You do this by placing something near him that he will pick up (like a toy), then you tell him to "drop it" or "release" at the same time pull down on the jaw or put your finger in his mouth near the joint of the jaw. It would take long for him to understand what you mean.

another way to do it is to teach the dog to fetch, then have the dog drop the ball when he comes to you. When he drops it, you say "drop it" or release". then after a few trials of that, have the dog sit and take something on his own into his mouth. Tell the dog to drop it or release. Keep repeating until he does it and say "good dog" and provide a little pat or scratch behind the ear.

These are things that I have tried with success with the dogs I have owned. Go to the library or a book store and check out a book on dog training. Watch the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic, or call your vet to see if there are dog trainers in the area that could help (this will cost a bit though, but well worth the price for a well-behaved, healthy, and happy dog and owner!)

Answer 6

You have to behave how every other reasonable pet owner would behave. If my dog had a dead rabbit in it's mouth I would of behaved in a similar manner. Try being proactive and contact Animal Control and discuss the matter with a member of their team. They will be able to discuss the law with you. Additionally, did the dog recieve any injury from the "spanking"? I doubt it, and without an injury their is no harm. Your neighbor sounds like a lunatic. Take my advice and contact the local authorities prior to her, better to get the jump and explain the situation prior to the police knocking on your door.

I would work on obediance training with this dog and not allow the animal to be in a situation where the dog could get a hold of a wild animal dead body. With treats and repetative praise and reward the command "Drop It" can be easily taught. Practice with a stuffed animal and a treat.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Spanking your dog with a news paper after it pizzes on the floor is one thing but spanking him with your own hand not only is abuse but it could lead the dog to not trusting her anymore you don't bite the hand that feeds you but you do when that hands hurts you! get what I am saying I'm not trying to be critical of what you did b/c I wouldn't want my dog to eat a rabbit head either but you know what it's nature and no dog I've ever heard had such a decease that if it ate a rabbit head it would die lol dogs in reality are suppose to be "WILD" we human just decided to make them our pets! Well anyways on the other hand your neighbor should have minded her own nosy business ya'll are better people then I am cause I would have cussed her out!!!! not only being ticked off at my dog but them some dumb ***** wants to stick her noise all up in the mix lol good luck next time!!!!

Answer 8

Spanking as an action probably is considered abuse but you have to use common sense at the same time! Like the circumstances around it..

You had a legitimate reason to do it and it was for the dog's own good. You feed him and walk him etc right?

Maybe in future keep him on a leash or make sure the are is clear from anything really gross before you let him off?

Answer 9

Some people are stupid and follow stupid rules to the max. that they become psycos about it! Look at things logically and Naturally: a young animal's parent will chastise it; and, therefore, so should you. There is no need for cruelty. A light smack is fine; after that, an indication of another smack should suffice... a raised hand maybe. This dog needs to know who's boss... yes?... mount it! Get behind it, pin it down, firmly but gently, and don't let it get up or away. It will realise that you are stronger, and, quite naturally, note that you are Leader of the Pack. It should then roll over with it's tail tucked in... don't tickle it's belly, just stand over it and ask it to get up; then make a fuss. As for the mad person, ask them if there is something wrong with them. If they say no... ask them what they can do to help. If they can't or won't, tell them to go away until they know what they are talking about and stop causing trouble or you'll call the Police to them for harassment and threatening behaviour... turn the tables... find the chinks in their armour...

Answer 10

if the dog was injured by the "spanking" then yes you've got trouble...you can be fined and go to jail if the abuse is documented but a spank on the backside to rid the dog of the rabbit does not sound like abuse so don't panic...the animal people do listen to explainations and you were trying to help the dog no harm him.

Next time get the hose and water will do the trick harmlessly....with no hits.

Answer 11

Laws vary by region, so it really depends on your local law. However, if the dog shows no signs of abuse, the police officer (if they even go out on the call), is probably not going to do anything. Your sister should tell her neighbor to mind her own business. It's not like she's leaving the dog outside all the time or abusing it. My dogs get "spanked" when they deserve it. It's not a big deal, as long as it isn't just because.