I need advice about a neighbor's dog.

I have some really awful, creepy neighbors living behind me (we share a fence). They have a black Lab who seems to live there part-time. I'm not really sure who exactly lives in the house; it seems to be a group of people in their 20s who come and go all the time. The dog isn't always there, but when he is, I can see he's being neglected.

Case in point: It's been very warm here and our neighborhood gets a lot of direct sun. He was tied up in their yard all day yesterday just barking his head off. Now, I've never had a dog but I've been around them enough to know that this is not a happy dog. He howls pitifully, acts like a wild beast, and it just breaks my heart.

A few months ago I called Animal Control for advice. They took down the info and said they would send someone out to check on the scene. The dog was gone the next day (like I said, people just come and go) so it's possible that AC came by and he wasn't there. I have no idea if they followed up - I did call back and left a message but never heard anything.

The house seemed vacant for over a month recently - weeds about three feet high were growing all over the yard, etc. But now they're back, and so is the dog.

What should I do? Should I keep calling Animal Control? They said they would fine them if they found him to be in inhumane conditions. I feel awful for this poor dog. :(

Good for you for keeping an eye out for this dog....

If it were me, I would call AC every day until you get someone to check it out and make sure that the dog is being cared for. Be very persistant but friendly. If you call every day, they are bound to realize you are serious. Or, they will just want to shut you up. ;)

Also, if you can, maybe you could put a bowl of ice water on his side of the fence just to make sure he has something to drink in the meantime.

That's what I would do, but I am certainly no expert.
I am sure some others will have better advice for you!

Good luck and please update us! :hi:

:yourock:

I will keep everyone posted. Thanks so much for your advice - it's great!:yourock:

As neglectful as the owners seem, I doubt they'd notice or care a water bowl. At least make sure the dog has water until animal control or even karma can do something.

Flaming Youth and thanks for keeping track of this situation!

AFSCME girl

It breaks my heart to hear bad dog stories -- they are such wonderful creatures!


A top fave Far Side:

Three men & a dog are in a life raft in the middle of the ocean. They've just drawn straws & the dog proudly holds out his long straw. One of the men, with a look of astonishment & fear on his face, beholds his short straw. Another man looks at it & says, "Gee, tough break Larry."

Does he have shelter? Some form of doghouse or other structure? Do you see a water bowl? If he/she is missing either of these things, many states dictate that that is grounds for "cruelty" and they'll be more apt to send someone out. I would continue to call Animal Control, but only when you know the dog is there. If you call, and the dog isn't there, you may get a label like "the little flamingyouth that cried wolf" which you don't want. You might even want to take a couple pix that you could show an officer if he came by and the dog was gone. You want them to take you seriously. I hate to say it, but they get a lot of crackpots and people that are just trying to screw with their neighbors calling in all the time.

Good for you for looking out for this pup, and please keep us up to date.

Their deck is obscured by their overgrown plantings, so I can't see if he has a water bowl or not. (I would assume that he would - they can't possibly be that stupid... or could they???) I know that they get a lot of sun, especially in the afternoon, right on that deck.

Right before I called Animal Control last time (I think it was early spring, the last time he spent a long stretch here) I was able to squeeze in behind my garage to try to look at him. I thought he looked underweight and not well-groomed. I did tell them at the time that the dog wasn't always there and the officer was nice - he said they would follow up anyway.

I like the idea about the pics. I am going to try to get some this evening when I get home. Thanks. :)

flvegan! The ACO will then be able to see (via the pics) what exactly is going on. :yourock:

...also are there other neighbors aware of the howling and barking? Maybe others would be willing to call and complain too ? Alot of communities have laws against excessive dog barking!

Find out if there are local laws that you can cite.

Take photos for evidence.

Here's a good link to State Cruelty Statutes:

http://www.ddaf.org/beyondviolence/statutes/

try throwing some dog biscuits to the poor thing. :(