What would you do about a neighbor?

[starfire]

I have a friend that lives in an apartment. The lady upstairs from her has a dog she keeps on the balcony outside her apartment.

This has been going on few several weeks. Through the rain and snow the dog is out on the balcony on a chain. It is a sweet dog but you can see it shivers all the time. The neighbors have thrown treats to the dog. The other night when it was snowing one neighbor threw a blanket up to the dog.

They have talked to the lady or her son twice but they are not putting the dog inside. They have also talked to the police and the human shelter but nothing can be done for this dog. Nothing seems to work but it is a concern for the neighbors for this dog. The management says they can do nothing about this.

What would you do?

[auntieemu]

When DH and I first married my sister showed up at the house with a dog for us. Out of the clear blue. Similar situation except that there was no balcony or porch, the dog was tied to their front door on a short rope and sitting in a mud puddle shivering.

She was 13 when she died.

[Kathy]

Starfire, what county is this apartment and dog in?

There are laws on the books; at least in Shelby county.
I called about a neighbor here who during the hottest part of last summer got a beautiful black lab and tied her out on the unshaded patio without water. The poor dog was frothing at the mouth due to overheating with that black fur and the sun beating down. This had happened numerous times and each time he left her out for longer periods until he had her out there all day-sun up till sun down. Our pleas for him to take her in or let her stay on one of our shaded patio's did nothing-he looked at her as a peice of property only.

I called our apartment manager and they called the Police and Animal control. He was ticketed and given three options-keep her indoors or put up a shade shelter and have water available when she was outside. He could also find her a new home and avoid further tickets.
He chose option 3-he gave her away.

[bostonlesley]

Being the shy, quiet person that I am..I'd take photos of the dog and call the Humane society..I'd make sure that they knew I was writing down the names of everyone who was not responding from their agency..then, I'd send the photos and the names of the people I spoke with at the Humane Society straight to the local newspaper and TV stations. In general, the public goes insane over mistreatment of animals, so this kind of approach often works.

[starfire]

Kathy-it is in Bartlett area

The neighbors are getting pretty upset with this lady.

I will mention the animal control but they have called the human society and the police.

Taking photos is a good idea I think they have done that I will ask her about the media. There is someone here that writes "Pet Scoops" (I think) in the paper, I will tell her to contact her also.

Thanks for the ideas!

[Deleted]

I watch Animal Cops on Animal Planet and regardless of the city in which the episode is filmed, they all say essentially the same thing about food, clean water and basic shelter. Your friend's area surely has similar requirements.

The lack of response they've gotten is really puzzling but please don't let them give up. That poor dog can't speak for itself and needs help.

I like the suggestion about document names at the Humane Society. It doesn't have to be done rudely but sometimes it's enough to get someone's tail in gear. If not, you then have their name to report them further up the chain.

Lesley's news idea is good for two reasons: Not only is ther an uproar when an animal is mistreated but the reporter could also investigate how public donations are being spent by the HS if they are not being used to help animals in need. Even if everything's on the up-and-up, no one wants their books to be investigated by a reporter!

Good luck.

/VM

[starfire]

I have given her some of these ideas and she is going to try other things.

[juju]

Another thing would be to ask the people for the dog. Tell them that you want that dog. Give them your phone # and give them time to think about it. Also offer money for the cost of any shots the dog might of had. I bet they will give up the dog.




Please keep us updated on this story.

[starfire]

I talked to her the other day and she said the dog was inside. It could be because of the weather they are really watching to see what is going to happen.