topic Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog in Community Chat

What To Do About Neighbors Dog

funinthesun — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 01:38:11 GMT

Neighbors got this dog a few months ago. Very nice dog, would say it's a terrier mix or something. White hair, medium to small size.
Haven't seen the dog in awhile, the boy brought it over today to say hi. I almost took that dog. This poor thing was matted horribly. Nails have not been cut. They were scratching the boy while he's holding her. The dog could barely see with all the hair in her face. I have never seen a dog so badly matted. Huge chunks of fur. I told the boy they really need to get her groomed. They are causing her pain. He said their mom couldn't afford it. She's on assisted living or something. She has six kids I believe. The boy said this dog is good. She can walk around the block but still comes back to them. They leave the gate open for her. The boy is really sweet. He loves playing with my dogs and treats them kindly. It breaks my heart to see a dog in that shape. I'm sure it's not up to date on shots so I can't just offer to have her groomed. And honestly, I don't know how charitable I want to be with this family. Sounds bad but if a door is open, some will try and take advantage. She has a teenage son who has friends that have guns. That's another story. So I'm trying to protect myself as well but something needs to be done about that sweet dog. Any ideas?

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

fthunt — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 01:50:51 GMT

How sad. I would advise the local police - or local animal protection services. Animal services would be my first choice - police coming to their door would be a shock to the family. BUT you must contact some agency for immediate assistance to make them aware of the situation for the dog's health and well being.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Lucky Charm — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 01:51:24 GMT

I think the boy means the mother is on 'assistance', getting welfare or some kind of money from the state?

Thus she cannot afford to care for the dog properly I guess, (if I'm correct about what he was trying to say).

If that's the case, it's a shame she even took on a dog--another mouth to feed.

I can only hope the 6 kids are getting fed well (consistantly and healthy meals).

The son with friends with guns, I don't even know what to say about that.

But, if the dog was in that bad of a need of a grooming, maybe you could offer a trip to get the fur taken care of and the nails done. ?

It would open up the lines of communication with the mother, maybe it'll make her realize she really shouldn't have the dog to begin with and needs to give it up.

That would break my heart to see. I don't think I've ever seen a dog with matted fur.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Lapdog — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 02:14:52 GMT

Choose a groomer that has a good rep and give this family a gift certificate for her to be groomed.

Perhaps even offer to take her yourself with the boy as a ride a long.

What a wonderful gift to give someone that has taken in a dog that is loved by all the children.

In my experience, proof of vaccinations is not needed to get this deserving dog cleaned up and feeling better.

Many blessings for caring about this family and their pooch.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

funinthesun — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 02:35:58 GMT

All the groomers here in town have to have updated shots for dogs. I have mine groomed and know from experience.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

GCR18 — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 02:37:38 GMT

I think I would proceed cautiously and not get involved. I may instead make an anonymous call to the city.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Scooby Doo — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 03:04:43 GMT

Around here you can find an independent groomer who doesn't ask for vaccination certs. My dogs go to one. PetsMart and PetCo won't even clip their nails without. Maybe you could offer to cut the matts out with hair scissors. I've had to do that before, and then trim it up.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

AuntG — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 11:04:42 GMT

Wondering if you and the little boy could help clean up the dog a bit without paying a groomer. My reasoning is that if they find out you have enough extra income to buy a gift certificate for grooming, they might hit you up for other things. Even worse is what a teen with guns might plot to do.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

garmer — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 11:23:06 GMT

Cut the mats out. Get it while it's taking it's walk, fix it up, then let it go on it's usual unattended walk back home.

Some people don't realize that mats hurt.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

CelticCrafter — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:27:20 GMT

For me it would be a case of mind my own business.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Marp — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:32:21 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
Wondering if you and the little boy could help clean up the dog a bit without paying a groomer. My reasoning is that if they find out you have enough extra income to buy a gift certificate for grooming, they might hit you up for other things. Even worse is what a teen with guns might plot to do.

Good idea and a perfect teaching opportunity. Once the boy learns how to at least minimally groom the dog he will hopefully do it without prompting.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

cherry — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:36:49 GMT

You could give him a brush and teach him how to keep the mats out of the dogs hair

If you demonstrate how to use the brush, you can use scissors and cut as many of the mats, as you are able ,out of his hair

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

missy1 — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:00:26 GMT

I would ask the mom if you could brush the dog etc. Say if the boy comes home with the dog, semi-groomed? It might be a problem. I would not call the cops or animal control over this. Is the dog fed, has shelter or has tons of fleas? Those would be my concerns first.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

NickNack — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:33:51 GMT

Just getting a minimal amount of mats out won't solve the problem. Never trimming nails is an awful problem. It's very painful for a dog to walk on nails that are that long. I don't know what the answer is.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Cakers3 — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 14:50:02 GMT

This poor dog needs more than training one child to care for her.

You can contact animal protective services anonymously.

One wouldn't should never hesitate to inform about abuse of an animal or child.

And this is abuse of an animal.

Not sure why the guns are an issue here; unless this family has been violent in other ways to the OP and/or other neighbors.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

goldensrbest — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:04:39 GMT

Something must be done, if you can afford it take it to your vets,get the basic vaccinations, and get it groomed,if you know the mom go and talk to her,for the sake of the dog ,you must do something.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Shaunac — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:46:01 GMT

In my city, when we call animal control and make a complaint of neglect, the officers are at the door the same day the complain is made.

The officers give the owner the opportunity to surrender the dog or two weeks to fix the problem. The officers will return in two weeks to be sure the animal has been cared for, if not they will take the animal.

Place a call today.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:49:47 GMT

If that dogs has fur that matted, brushing isn't going to help.

It makes me angry that this family even has a dog, let alone one that needs to be groomed. They obviously cannot afford this animal.

In my city, no one would come out for a complaint of a dog not being groomed and nails not being cut. We have much bigger animal abuse issues, sad to say.

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

Hoovermom — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:51:57 GMT

I think I would have to have a conversation with the mother before I called animal control. Offer what help you can give and give them time to respond. Maybe this dog is the little boy's lifeline and would suffer if it is taken away before help can be given. Are there agencies in your area who will offer help?

Re: What To Do About Neighbors Dog

goldensrbest — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 16:27:19 GMT

If the dog is being allowed to roam,that also would need to be stopped,only you know and see what is going on,so i would do what is best for the dog.