Need Advice A.S.A.P

[ReesAkita]

My daughter's boyfriend's mom has a year old Boxer that is IMO severely neglected....She's full grown and weighs maybe 45lbs...You can not only see her ribs but spine as well...She's being fed a food that is actually worse then Ole'Roy....Her gums are bleeding which I think is in part due to malnutrition...She has scratched around both eyes so bad that their bleeding and draining pus and her ears and head are scabbed to where the hair is gone...I've tried helping them train her but they don't follow through and my daughter on numerous occasions has told them she needs to see a vet...It has now progressed to where her nose is so congested she can only breathe out of her mouth...They've decided to give her away but refuse to give her to a shelter because the mom has a habit of adopting dogs a returning them and some of the shelters refuse to let her adopt again...So here's my plan and I need opinions...I told them I would take her with the promise not to put her in a shelter....I told my daughter I needed them to sign a paper saying they relinquished her to me...I've contacted the rescue I work with and I'm waiting to see if they have room for her...Since I don't know if she has anything contagious I can't bring her here because I can't afford to vet 3 dogs if she makes mine sick and most of you know what I went through with Kujo....I thought that once I get the ok from the rescue I'll get her the night before I need to bring her and just keep her in the basement away from my two...The mom is saying she doesn't want to give her to me because she's afraid I'll give her to the rescue...I told my daughter if they don't give me an answer by Friday I will be calling A.C...Do you guys think I'm dealing with this the right way so far?..Any input would be appreciated.

[ferJenna]

I think you are doing the right thing. IMO she should not ever own animals, if that is the way she takes care of them. Maybe if AC finds out, it's ok. The only bad thing about that, is your daughter's relationship. If her bf agrees with you guys than everything should be fine.

[ReesAkita]

Not to be mean to my daughter but I could really give a crap if it causes a problem with her bf...They've only been dating a month or so so it's nothing long term...The bf agrees they need to give her a new home but he also thinks there's nothing wrong with her...I'm so mad over this I could spit nails!!!

[ferJenna]

Well than I can't blame you! I would be JUST as angry. So again, IMO I would do what you have to do. No dog should have to suffer like that.

[ReesAkita]

I wish I could do what I'd like to do but that wouldn't be legal!

[tiffers]

Right thing, definitely. Be warned though...no kill shelters are only no kill if the dog is a cheap fix. It's a horrible truth, but a truth. Do you know this rescue you're contacting personally?

I'd be ticked...I'm in the same situation with the neighbors and their Bassett. It's been freezing here lately, and he's outside...in his dog house with no carpet or blanket. :(

[ferJenna]

I forgot to say.. Maybe there's a reason that none of the other shelters want to adopt to her.. I think that shelter should know. If she gives this one up, what makes anyone think that she won't just go get another??

[ReesAkita]

Tiffers I know the rescue well it's where I got Nina and there's no way they would adopt to her after this.

[suebgone]

I would have called AC long ago. this is severe neglect. people like this will just get another dog time after time. they need arrested. please tell me this poor dog is not outside?

you do not want to bring this dog even into your basement - a garage where your guys don't go, but not the basement. URI, distemper, heartworm, parasites all come to mind & I'm sure I could think of other possibilities.

if this resuce will take her she should go directly to the vets office.

does the idiot realize there is a difference between shelters & rescues? altho in that bad of condition, it is possible even a rescue would have to euth her.

do you know where she got the dog?

[tiffers]

Okay. I just wanted to make sure. She doesn't sound like a 'cheap' fix, and I feel so bad for her. Why doesn't the owner want her to go to a Shelter/Rescue? She obviously isn't taking care of it.

[ReesAkita]

sue sadly I just found out about it last night...I've worked with this rescue in fact I fostered my Husky for them before I adopted her and their great....They go through the state and pull the dogs from the high kill shelters that are on the list and pull them...Trust me if I wasn't sure about them I wouldn't give her to them.

[Lilybelle103]

I think you are perfectly fine to call AC as this is a severe situation even worse than the ferrets I talked about. It's easy for anyone outside of your situation to say call AC, BUT this woman should NOT absolutely NOT have ANY pets at all. I am afraid for the next one she gets. If anything, calling AC will prevent further adoptions and further abuse or neglect. Go ahead with it if you are ready.

[Macawpower58]

I'd also call Animal Control. This woman needs to face up to the neglect she has done to her dog. If she is a known case to them, they might just possibly not allow her to own any more animals. Sometimes a 6 month, or year of no pets is added as a punishment.

[suebgone]

whether or not she can have pets is not up to AC, it is a matter for a judge to dedice. In some appeals it has been declared unconstitutional however that seems to be changing, thank God

Rees, I was having a teeny problem with that, ;) I couldn't imagine YOU seeing this & not killing these people.

is there any way you can get good pics of the dog? even if you get custody of it - take good pics, I can help you with how to do that. you are correct, be sure to get something in writing from them giving you the dog.

[Macawpower58]

whether or not she can have pets is not up to AC, it is a matter for a judge to dedice. In some appeals it has been declared unconstitutional however that seems to be changing, thank God

Humm.......I guess I've been watching Animal Police to much.

[ReesAkita]

sue I've only seen the dog once and that was about a month and a half ago....At that time I told the son that she was underweight and asked what they fed her...When he told me I told him she needed to be on a better food and he said he'd talk to his mom...I explained about nutrition to him and that was that...It wasn't until the other night when my daughter told me that I found out how bad it had gotten...She snapped a few pics on her camera phone but their not the greatest of quality.

[Ltlpistol]

AC just gets the info, and takes it before a judge. If the judge decides there is abuse or neglect then he/she may or may not award the animal to the AC.

But, definitely any pictures or proof that you can get will help the AC's case.

And, I think you are absolutely right in calling the AC.

Keep us posted!

[LadyLynn]

After the things I went through raising my boy, boy friend or not, without hesitation, I would be dialing the animal control officers now regardless of how my daughter felt.
Letting them slide because of your daughter's friendship with their son does you, your neighbors, or especially her any favors.

If anything you may be the one who stops them from abusing another animal.

Many prayers, and I wish you luck.
I know it isn't always easy.

[ReesAkita]

Trust me the last thing I'm concerned about is my daughters relationship with her bf...I could really care less about that!

[suebgone]

AC just gets the info, and takes it before a judge. If the judge decides there is abuse or neglect then he/she may or may not award the animal to the AC.


who ever is charged with enforcing the cruelty laws in that state, AC, or the SPCA must cite the owner first. the owner can then pay the fine or ask for a hearing. if the charging force has requested custody, then there would be a mandatory hearing. many places that is not possible as there is no statute providing for it. there are many states that have NO cruelty laws at all. NO requirement for shelter or vet care etc.

I know how they do it in Texas, I watch AP too, but I can tell you after 15 yrs of enforcing those laws - there is no such thing in most places as the custody hearings you see there. it would be wonderful if it worked that way but sadly it does not.

most places you have to prove the cruelty was intentional, done specifically to hurt the dog & not passively - out of ignorance. you have to prove the dog suffered because of the owners actions.

I had a judge tell me once - don't bring me a citation for no shelter on a sunny day & its 50 degrees. while I understood his point, no shelter is no shelter & I did finally get him to understand that as well

[Ltlpistol]

I guess Texas is still pretty much a cowboy state, cause the HSPCA really does work like they show it on Animal Cops. I'll call them before the Montgomery County AC anytime. This county (unless they've changed it recently) doesn't do much of anything.

I had a neighbor move once, left behind their dog, who ended up with mange. We called the AC, they told us we had to catch the dog and keep it penned up before they'd come get it! Well, unfortunately the only pen we had, was the one my own dogs were in! Needless to say, before they got out there to get him, the dog escaped, never saw him again, but both my dogs got mange. It was awful! And, on top of that my female got pregnant by that dog, and the pups turned out all of them to have birth defects. Not sure what else was wrong with that dog, but the whole thing was a circus!

[katiem]

I too would call A.C. or the S.P.C.A., I don't know how it works where you are, but here abandoned and neglected animals usually fall under S.P.C.A. territory, while strays fall under A.C., but again thats just here.

[vix506]

I definately agree with your plan. Do what you have to do to save this poor guy

[suebgone]

Lltpistol wrote:
I guess Texas is still pretty much a cowboy state, cause the HSPCA really does work like they show it on Animal Cops.

that is because they have the laws that allow them to do that.

I agree that there are a lot of worthess "good ole boys" ACO's in many areas, but there are also a lot with great training & brains.

I would have given my right arm to be able to go to court for custody & have the citations be a whole different ball game.

I'm glad AP is on because I believe it has really made great strides in enlightening people as to what is right & wrong in keeping pets, however it really makes it tough for people to understand that isn't how it happens everywhere.

laws differ from state to state or even within a state. some have none. it also gives a very false picture of the average ACO or shelter & how they function. no most don't have their own hospital or vet on staff. no they won't come out & pick up your animal just because you don't want it any more.

oh Lord, you don't want me to get started on that soap box!!! :eek:

[ReesAkita]

Well their supposed to be finding a new home for the Boxer today...I won't know until my daughter gets home from work but I told her if not I'll be calling AC tomorrow!

[ferJenna]

Yay! Let us know. I'm really pulling for the poor girl.

[ReesAkita]

Yay! Let us know. I'm really pulling for the poor girl.

Thanks I let you know as soon as I hear something...I did find out that the pound she takes the back to is very high kill...They usually put them down in 4 days and even they have banned her from adopting!

[ferJenna]

Well thank god... About the not being able to adopt part.

[ReesAkita]

Good news!...Maggie got a new home with a lady that has another Boxer and can afford to spend what she has to so she get get her well...I let you guys know if I hear of any progress...Thanks for all the support!

[ferJenna]

I'm so happy for her! Finally a good forever home. Thank you, Ree, for looking out for her. She'll be much happier now she'll be taken care of right and have a playmate!

[suebgone]

great news & a real merry christmas for the dog.

now watch that they don't get another one. :(

[ReesAkita]

Quick update...My daughter was over her bf's house last night and the woman who took Maggie called and was apparently pretty ticked off...She told them that maggie was at the vets and she has been under isolation for the past few days....She wouldn't say why but I'm sure it has to be something respiratory.....he's a real kicker...The mom noticed for the past few days their cat has been having a hard time peeing so they rushed her to the vet and she's being treated for bladder stones...I'm glad they took her but it just makes me so mad that poor Maggie has been suffering for months and they didn't seem to care but as soon as the cat had a problem of to the vet they went with her!

[dlaura]

Well maybe the vet or the new owner will make some trouble for Maggie's former family. It would serve them right to have to face the legalities of what they did to Maggie. Ree I hope you keep us updated as more develops - as I have a real strong feeling that there will be more to this story.

[ReesAkita]

I just found out today that the woman who took Maggie had to put her down shortly after rescuing her..She was suffering from heart worms,intestinal parasites a severe respiratory infection and a bad skin infection as well.....I'm so pissed at these people for neglecting her so badly...She was barely a year old....I told my daughter her bf's mother better never call my house or think of owning another dog...If I ever find out she does I'll be calling AC and letting them know about the care she DIDN"T give to more Maggie!

[jackandpepsi]

I wish I could do what I'd like to do but that wouldn't be legal!
ditto, ditto, ditto! OMG your the only one with any brains and humanity USE THEM!