Is this Abuse? Should I call police? My boyfriend thinks I am overreacting?

Question

Where I live it is -17°C / 0°F.
I saw this poor dog in a dog kennel on the back of the bed of the truck.A German Shepard I think.
On top of this bad situation the truck traveling at least 100km/ 63mph.
I memorized the plate number, so I could report it as soon as i got home.
When I got home and told my boyfriend said that I was totally overreacting and that the dog is fine.
would a dog survive that temp outside of a truck?
Or should I report this stupid person to police.

I feel so bad that I did not do more while I was driving behind the truck.
I know if it were me in that dog place, I WOULD BE DEAD.

Answer 1

I don't think you're overreacting, because when you combine the cold temp with the wind chill from the truck making a 63 mph wind, that's way below zero. I would call the police, Humane Society, and any animal rights organization near you. German Shepherds can take colder temps than people but unless it's a Husky/Malemute, a dog shouldn't be out in that kind of cold.

Answer 2

In many states, the dog must be restrained with a harness, not a leash. If the dog was on a leash or unrestrained, the driver could get a ticket.

As far as the outside temperature, German Shepards have plenty of warm fur to insulate them from the cold.

As long as the dog was restrained by a harness, there is no abuse.

Answer 3

0°F is pretty darn cold. And I don't care if you're wearing a fur coat, being in an unprotected kennel with a wind of 63 mph is going to create some very dangerous wind chill. That, plus you don't know how many minutes or hours the dog had to travel.

I would phone it in to the police or animal control and see how they want to handle it. I would hope that they would be concerned enough to at least check on the dog.

Answer 4

I think the dog would be ok. Would I do it myself? definitely not. Would I report it? probably not. In terms of overreacting, I think you saying 'you would be dead' is overreacting. Dogs are meant to be in the wild and they can withstand some pretty cold temperatures. I have these chinese crested dogs that are bald and they go out in freezing temperatures and don't want to come in. If you were to put yourself in that dog's position it would be like wearing your winter coat riding in the back of that truck. You might be cold, but you're not going to die, unless they were on the back of that truck for like hours at a time, which I highly doubt was the case.

Answer 5

Yes I would report him. Abuse is abuse in any form. I hate to think of the way he has to survive when he gets home. He needs a warm place so he will not freeze to death.

Answer 6

Yes do it, but I am not sure police will take any action.Atleast you should try, there are few website who worl for animal protection you can talk to them , they will listen you better than police might be able to help you.
you are a nice person ...atleast it came to ur mind...

Answer 7

You are probably overreacting. It might be abuse if it were a Mexican hairless but thick-coated dogs like Labradors or German Shepherds probably prefer cold weather and freezing isn't too cold for most.

Answer 8

report it. no animal should go through what that poor dog is going through.

Answer 9

If you are truly concerned call Animal Control and let them handle it.

Answer 10

if you wouldnt do it to a person dont do it to an animal. yes report it.