Concerned about neighbor dog
January 17th, 2008
My neighbors just got a new dog that appears to be a Siberian or Husky mix. They have a tie out for the dog in the backyard, however, there is no shelter.
I've spoken with the owners and they told me the dog is okay to live outside because of his breed and his coat. From what I can tell, the dog is tied out during the day and at irregular hours during the night - if not for most of the night.
I've woken up at 2 and 3 a.m. in the morning to this dog howling. The other night he woke me up at 2:30 and howled for 45 minutes.
It seems they don't exercise the dog nor give him a great deal of attention. Although I oppose this approach to dog ownership it is in their right to treat the dog in how they see fit.
However, I feel very uncomfortable with the dog being tied out day and night without shelter, especailly when we are facing temperatures of -25 degrees this weekend.
I am also fearful of complaining to authorities of the treatment of this dog. Is the dog being abused? I think it is ... but I also realize I dote on my dogs.
I know the neighbors will identify me as the person who turned them in, since I've already taken some interest in the dog's welfare. I wouldn't want them to become angry and do something hurtful to my dogs.
Am I being overly cautious? Does anyone have suggestions on how I can handle this situation without it escalating into an uncontrollable situation?
Comments
With the temps for this
With the temps for this weekend you have a reason to be concerned! This weather is not ok for any breed. If he's out there late at night I would probably go over there and take him in myself!! Or definitely call the professionals. With the cold it could have been anyone calling!!
With the temps for this
With the temps for this weekend you have a reason to be concerned! This weather is not ok for any breed. If he's out there late at night I would probably go over there and take him in myself!! Or definitely call the professionals. With the cold it could have been anyone calling!!
You have every reason to be
You have every reason to be concerned no matter what the breed of this dog. Call the professionals (law enforcement or animal control)and just tell them you want it to be an anonymous complaint. If you live in town it is a simple matter of a squad driving by and checking it out.
It is too cold to be
It is too cold to be outside. Do not feel embarrassed or hesitant to report them. They are the ones who should be embarrassed by their own careless behavior. If you have tried talking to them and that does not do the trick, call the humane society and ask that a humane investigator come out, or try Animal Control.
Kudos to you for caring!
That dog should not be
That dog should not be outside. Your neighbors need to be educated and if it takes a humane officer or other authorities to do this, so be it!
There is a law about
There is a law about providing adequate shelter so they are breaking the law at the very least. Even this breed of dog needs shelter from the wind since this is not a working dog. The lack of attention and affection is almost worse than the fact they tie there dog out like this. These kinds of people should not own dogs and this is very troubling. You are right to be concerned about their reaction and it might be best to have someone else call ( a distant friend?) just so you can honestly say you didn't report them. Somewhat duplicitous but perhaps necessary. And actually it is not their "right" to treat the dog this way; they just can. People like this make me sick. I applaud you for your concern. Dogs are a great gift to us and should be treated as such.
I'm sorry, but it's not
I'm sorry, but it's not within any person's right to mistreat an animal. Would you stand by and watch them do this to a child? It's absolutely the same thing. Our pets are not dispensible. Give me the address and I'll come get the dog myself! Pet owners need to be held responsible for the animals that they raise, this is what brings about bad feelings for certain breeds. They're mistreated and brought up this way and wonder why the animal turns. Good luck, TURN THEM IN and save that life.
It is not o.k. for this
It is not o.k. for this breed to be out in the cold because this breed usually has five to ten other dogs with it to huddle up to when they are working and out in these cold temperatures. Have a friend call like suggested above. When I had a friend who I thought mistreated their pet, I went over when I knew they weren't home and I brought it into the humane society as a stray. I have a neighbor who does the same though. A similar breed ALWAYS outside tied up.
There is a law if you live
There is a law if you live in St Paul:
Chapter 200.17 (c) Chains, Kennels, Tethers and Tie outs: Chains, tethers or tie outs must be at least three (3) times the length of the animal secured to it and may not exceed ten (10) pounds in total weight. … Any animal secured with a tie out must be so in area that would not allow the animal to become tangled around objects while allowing access to shelter and water. … Animals restrained by a chain, tether, or other tie out device shall not be secured to any stationary object for more than two consecutive hours, with at least a two hour rest or relief period between each chaining, and no more than four two hour chaining periods in a 24 hour period.
If you live in other areas there are still laws about shelters being provided and it doesn't matter what breed. Sled dogs bury themselves in snow when they're outside to stay warm. I doubt your neighbor's dog is able to do this right now. Work with your city council to get a chain-out law passed if you don't have one already (most city ordinances can be found on-line).
Do you really think they
Do you really think they would hurt your dogs? If you have talked to them and they refuse to do anything that as a human it is your job to take action (within the law). Please call and report them in this case if they get mad at least you will know that you helped this poor dog.
Thanks everyone for the
Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions. As it turned out, someone ELSE called the cops on my neighbor. They were told to keep the dog indoors until they build a shelter and purchase tags. My neighbors did ask if I was the one who turned them in and I said no. They plan on building a shelter for the dog, who now has fleas. But because of other family issues, they are not able to build a shelter any time soon.
Unfortunately, many unfit
Unfortunately, many unfit people buy dogs to realize they do not have the patients, or abilities to care for it. Many breeds are purchased as pets because they are "cute", but the owners do not realize the needs of the breed. I am an owner of a Siberian Husky, they are an amazing breed and can be the perfect pet... for the right owner. The two things that are wrong with this situation are that the dog does not have a proper shelter, and that the dog has little or no humane / other dog interaction.
The dog being kept in the cold is not what I see wrong with this situation. A temperature of 25 below is nothing to this breed. Huskies are an arctic breed, and unlike many of the comments below, have been known to live and work in conditions up to 75 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Their thick double layer coat keeps them insulated and warm in these harsh temperatures (and actually keeps them cool in warm temps). However, they should not be left in these cold temperatures without a shelter. A husky or husky mix that is expected to live outside must have a shelter. The best would be a flat topped dog house (they love laying on top of these shelters) with straw on the inside.
The other thing I see wrong with this story, is the dog is by itself most of the time. If it is a husky, or husky mix, these dogs are extremely social, and need human and dog interaction. Perhaps that is why he howls during the night (which is unneighborly they would continue to leave the dog tied up). Usually a humane society will not take a dog away immediately if the owners are just uneducated. They will educate the owner and recheck on the dog to see if the owner has changed their ways. If you have yet taken action, please make sure if the dog is taken away from the owners it goes to a no-kill shelter so it has a chance to become part of a family that can fulfill the dogs needs.
Come on People,You do not
Come on People,You do not treat any animal like that! Leaving a any animal tied outside for long periods of time even with shelter is UNACCEPTABLE! They are meant to be part of the family(LIVING INDOORS ONLY)and treated as such,Your neighbor or anyone like them should NEVER have the Priviledge/and Joy of having a pet! By the way I work in Animal Rescue and people should do anything to help a mistreated and unwanted pet! Have some guts and call on these horrible people-these poor animals have no voice to defend themselves-HELLO!
I too have a neighbor that
I too have a neighbor that keeps a German Shepherd dog tied on a long rope, at the end of which is an igloo type house. There is a large (vacant) lot between us, so I can't tell if there is adequate food and water, and the dog appears healthy. Reason I notice him is that there is NO human contact w/this dog that I've ever witnessed, and when I take my lab out to play or work in my yard this dog barks and wags its tail furiously trying to get attention. I always speak to it when I'm out, but feel terrible for this lonely dog. This family has teenagers and a single father who come and go, but the dog is not part of the family. If there is nothing illegal, what can I do for this dog? I'm a single woman and don't wish to involve these people as there have been police visits there from time to time involving the teenagers.
Judy,I too am a single woman
Judy,I too am a single woman living alone and I HAVE and will continue to call on ANYONE who is neglecting/mistreating a dog regardless of who they are or what is going on at their house! If you won't talk to the losers who have this dog you should definently call and say that you are concerned about this dog and the poor thing is stuck outside all the time and you can't see if the dog has food/water and obviousley is crying for attention-a dog is not just a LAWN ORNAMENT and should be INSIDE with the rest of the family-NO EXCEPTIONS!
Wow, Judy chill out. I
Wow, Judy chill out. I guess you would be calling in Will Steger too since his sled dogs live outside and are working dogs. We are lacking information in this case and it is possible to have certain breeds with proper housing and care living outside. You might want to try being a little less judgmental before having all the information and be mindful that the woman's safety could in fact be at risk. Do you live in the burbs? Maybe you have never had your own safety at risk. There may be no laws being broken here and while I agree dogs deserve a little more love and attention......welcome to the world honey. It ain't perfect and we don't have laws for niceness, just cruelty. I'm wondering if you bother to speak up when a parent is screaming at their child in the grocery store......
Actually the name is
Actually the name is Michelle and Yes I intervene in any case for any animal and or child! I work in animal rescue and have seen and heard things that would make you sick to your stomach! I know about dogs and they are pack animals and want to be Inside living with their family NO EXCEPTIONS! And YES I have had my own safety at risk and I will continue to do EVERYTHING I can for these poor animals,you are forgetting that they can not even ask for help if they wanted too,they are depending on people who CARE to be their voice to help them!
The family is unlisted; I've
The family is unlisted; I've gotten their mail before and had to walk it down to the mailbox. It would have to be a face-to-face confrontation as members of this family have been arrested for trespassing, deer-poaching, and their home was in foreclosure for a time. (I'm still hoping it happens....) It's not just a matter of "falling on hard times;" they seem to be derelicts. There is junk all over the yard. The kids set off firecrackers during the day; I've yelled at them from a distance and they seem to stop, so it must be illegal. As far as knowing how I feel, they do; when I speak to the dog I tell him he needs to have some playtime, etc and I know they hear me, as there is activity in the driveway and front yard most of the time. Unfortunately I don't think they're breaking any law w/the dog; sad but true.
Minnesota Animal Welfare
Minnesota Animal Welfare Statutes
Minnesota has very specific laws to ensure the humane treatment of animals. Minnesota law also prescribes criminal penalties and fines for failure to properly care for an animal. According to the laws, dogs, cats, and other animals must be provided with:
Nourishing food in clean containers
Clean, drinkable water (snow and ice are not adequate)
Confinement areas: must allow animal to move freely; must provide shade from May to October; several animals kept together must be compatible; indoor confinement areas must be adequately lit, ventilated, and temperature controlled; surfaces must be impervious to moisture and readily cleaned and dry; feces must be disposed of properly; there must be opportunity for periodic exercise.
Shelter: dogs kept outdoors for more than one hour must be provided with a dog house that meets the following specifications: moisture and wind proof; large anough for the dog and small enough to retain body heat; must be made of durable material raised at least 2 inches from the ground; entrance must be covered by wind proof material; bedding must be provided and be of straw, cedar shavings, or blankets.
Minnesota Statute 343.29 specifically authorizes the removal, sheltering, and caring for any animal who is not properly sheltered from cold, hot, or inclement weather, or any animal not properly fed and watered.
In the Twin Cities metro area, call the Animal Humane Society cruelty investigator at (763) 489-2236 if these laws are being broken.
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