How to butt in

[pammyowl]

We have a beautiful Golden Lab in our neighborhood who is kept in a 5'x3' cage outside all the time. We have very cold temps in winter, 30 below F in winter. Rarely do they walk the dog, but every time we see that poor dog (I don't even know if it is male or female) when we walk our dogs by, he/she puts it's front paws up on the fence as if to say"can I come out to play?" I want to approach the owners and ask if we could adopt the poor thing, but apart from obvious disinterest the dog is healthy and being fed. What should we do? Thanks!

[Krislady]

That is so sad.

Do you know the people, are is it just someplace you walk by? It's really hard to see that sort of thing, isn't it?

Do you have a good animal control officer you can talk to? He may not be able to officially DO anything (or maybe he can), but he can certainly talk to the owners and tell them that he's received, I don't know, expressions of concern from neighbors.

[Connie Lea]

I feel so bad for that poor dog. They are such social creatures, it must be torture for him being kept by himself so much, not to mention cold, especially at night. I think if I were you I would ask them if they would be interested in letting you adopt the dog. They clearly don't care much for him or they would spend some time with him. All they can do is say no. And if that doesn't work, I'd do as Kris suggested and see if an animal control officer would talk to them. Two friends of mine saw a little dog being kept outside in the winter (in Minnesota) and they called animal control. Animal Control talked to them and the people said they would bring him in when it was really cold, so it might help. Let us know what happens.

[pammyowl]

My DH talked to the daughter and she said she was allergic to dogs, she was a bit of a brat, frankly, so I don't think the parents will be much better. We'll see.

[Connie Lea]

Good luck Pam. That dog would be so much better off with you guys.

[pammyowl]

Thanks, Connie. Why do people get dogs if they don't have an interest in them is what I want to know!

[Connie Lea]

I think people see this cute little puppy, forgetting that that puppy grows into a big dog that they have to walk, groom and play with.

[Pot Scrubber]

I'm having a similar moral dilemma.
http://www.food.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=388309

Not much has changed since my last post. Twice I have walked by and the dog was not there. (although there are now two small poodle mix dogs that run loose) But whenever I do see him he is still tied up with a standard walking leash (maybe 5-6 feet long?)

I'm watching closely for signs of abuse. At least the poor pup has the company of other dogs now and seems to be well cared for. But why they keep that poor guy chained is a mystery to me.

[pammyowl]

We were thinking of asking for a play date, see how that flies, get our foot in the door, as it were.

[Connie Lea]

Great idea. I have my fingers crossed for you Pam.

[Pot Scrubber]

pammyowl wrote:
We were thinking of asking for a play date, see how that flies, get our foot in the door, as it were.

Good luck with that. I live in a bad neighborhood and asking for a doggie play date would fly like a lead balloon.

[K9 Owned]

Pam, asking for a play date is very diplomatic of you. If they say yes at the very least the dog will get to interact and have some fun. As you say.. it's a foot in the door.

Alternately you could approach them and say that you know that their daughter is allergic and were they thinking of rehoming the dog? Even if they say no you could tell them that if circumstances changed to keep you in mind.

I got my first 'of my very own' dog that way. A guy living in an apartment had Marco and was very rough with him. I got in his face and told him that he didn't deserve a dog. A few months later he saw me, called out and came over. He had a new job that required him to do a lot of traveling and would I be interested in his dog. I took the dog Things change and if they know that you have an interest they may contact you.

I would call animal control.

[pammyowl]

We don't have animal control here, just the cops, who are completely useless. It is a small town

[K9 Owned]

I also want to say that I love that you see a problem with an animal and see it as yours.
Does that make sense?

[Connie Lea]

K9 Owned wrote:
I also want to say that I love that you see a problem with an animal and see it as yours.
Does that make sense?

Only to another animal lover.