topic Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control in Pet Lovers

So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:30:36 GMT

2 young puppies were dumped late one night in a restaurant parking lot in the town I live in. It was on a very busy highway, so it is a miracle they survived even one day. People saw them in Lowe's and Wal-Mart parking lots and would report to city animal control. They managed to catch one back in December. Shortly after that, the other dog was seen sitting in front of Chili's restaurant on an icy cold night just howling for her sister. People do give her food, but, she is so scared, she won't let anyone get too close.

I just cannot believe that animal control has not caught her yet. They obviously aren't trying very hard. These are people who are paid by the city to do a job. I've even tried calling to speak to the animal control officer and always get her voicemail. She never returns calls. And, now the sad thing I heard (through a group on Facebook) is that the dog might be pregnant.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Kachina624 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:46:09 GMT

@Sapphiregal It's obvious you're very upset but perhaps a more effective action than posting here might be a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and a phone call to your city manager, mayor or councilperson, even the person in charge of animal control. All of these entities actually have the power to fix the problem, and we don't.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

elated — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:48:51 GMT

I feel so bad for that dog. It is too bad no one can catch her and take her to the Humane Society. My experience with animal control has been very negative. The only thing they control is their bodily functions. They don't protect animals or even try to get them to a safe environment.

We have cats that live in my neighborhood that run wild. Animal Control has been called many times but no show. One cat was just left by the owner when they moved. We have some very inhumane people in our society. I always think maybe karma will be their just dessert.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

elated — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:50:29 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Sapphiregal It's obvious you're very upset but perhaps a more effective action than posting here might be a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and a phone call to your city manager, mayor or councilperson, even the person in charge of animal control. All of these entities actually have the power to fix the problem, and we don't.

They may have the power but do they have the will or support??

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

moonandthestars — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:53:02 GMT

@Sapphiregal Can you contact a private animal rescue group or animal shelters? One of the independent rescues may be willing to help? You may need to contact a few before you get a positive response. Even some regular people have experience with trapping animals (they have traps) - maybe post on facebook about it? Or nextdoor?

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Kachina624 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:01:13 GMT

@elated That's why you start with the newspaper, public pressure. @Sapphiregal writes very well and I'm sure she could be persuasive.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

rms1954 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:01:50 GMT

@Sapphiregal wrote:
2 young puppies were dumped late one night in a restaurant parking lot in the town I live in. It was on a very busy highway, so it is a miracle they survived even one day. People saw them in Lowe's and Wal-Mart parking lots and would report to city animal control. They managed to catch one back in December. Shortly after that, the other dog was seen sitting in front of Chili's restaurant on an icy cold night just howling for her sister. People do give her food, but, she is so scared, she won't let anyone get too close.
I just cannot believe that animal control has not caught her yet. They obviously aren't trying very hard. These are people who are paid by the city to do a job. I've even tried calling to speak to the animal control officer and always get her voicemail. She never returns calls. And, now the sad thing I heard (through a group on Facebook) is that the dog might be pregnant.

Most appointed people that are responsible for this job are just collecting their paycheck.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Foxxee — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:15:15 GMT

It surprises me no one picked the dog up and took it home with the intent of finding a home for it if they couldn't keep it.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:18:56 GMT

Yes, I have tried and their response is that they are full. Also, you have to live in the county that the rescue site is in.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:22:35 GMT

Animal control is not a top issue in Texas. The animal control officer (and there is only one) is the one supposedly going out to capture the animal.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:33:25 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
@Sapphiregal wrote:
2 young puppies were dumped late one night in a restaurant parking lot in the town I live in. It was on a very busy highway, so it is a miracle they survived even one day. People saw them in Lowe's and Wal-Mart parking lots and would report to city animal control. They managed to catch one back in December. Shortly after that, the other dog was seen sitting in front of Chili's restaurant on an icy cold night just howling for her sister. People do give her food, but, she is so scared, she won't let anyone get too close.
I just cannot believe that animal control has not caught her yet. They obviously aren't trying very hard. These are people who are paid by the city to do a job. I've even tried calling to speak to the animal control officer and always get her voicemail. She never returns calls. And, now the sad thing I heard (through a group on Facebook) is that the dog might be pregnant.

Most appointed people that are responsible for this job are just collecting their paycheck.

@rms1954

YOU hit the nail on the head!!!

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:35:10 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
It surprises me no one picked the dog up and took it home with the intent of finding a home for it if they couldn't keep it.

@Foxxee

Oh, believe me, there is a network of people that have tried, but, she runs.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:41:58 GMT

@moonandthestars wrote:
@Sapphiregal Can you contact a private animal rescue group or animal shelters? One of the independent rescues may be willing to help? You may need to contact a few before you get a positive response. Even some regular people have experience with trapping animals (they have traps) - maybe post on facebook about it? Or nextdoor?

@moonandthestars

Yes, I have contacted shelters, but, most are just overwhelmed and full. Also, you have to live in their county. There is a post on Facebook ( a group similar to Nextdoor) about this dog and many people are following it.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

moonandthestars — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:47:14 GMT

@Sapphiregal that's too bad. Sometimes there are little rescues (maybe just a one person operation really) that might be willing to spring into action. That poor puppy. I'm sure he's so scared and now he's alone You say he's (she's) seen in front of a restaurant? It's really a shame that they don't feed the puppy and set up a trap with the food in it so he can be saved. I guess the question would be, who would take the puppy once caught?

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:54:23 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Sapphiregal It's obvious you're very upset but perhaps a more effective action than posting here might be a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and a phone call to your city manager, mayor or councilperson, even the person in charge of animal control. All of these entities actually have the power to fix the problem, and we don't.

@Kachina624

Problem is, most of these entities you mention could not care less about a dog. I have been to our City Hall and voiced my opinion of their "so called" animal control department and if this dog is not caught this week, I will take it further.

Last Thursday I was driving around and saw the animal control officer and 2 others trying to chase her down. After not catching her, the officer told me that the problem is all the people feeding her. They need her to be really hungry in order to get close. She said they would wait until Monday to try again and asked me to not feed her and let others know. Well, I have no control over the others! So, Monday(yesterday) came and they never tried to get her.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

Sapphiregal — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:30:17 GMT

@moonandthestars wrote:
@Sapphiregal that's too bad. Sometimes there are little rescues (maybe just a one person operation really) that might be willing to spring into action. That poor puppy. I'm sure he's so scared and now he's alone You say he's (she's) seen in front of a restaurant? It's really a shame that they don't feed the puppy and set up a trap with the food in it so he can be saved. I guess the question would be, who would take the puppy once caught?

@moonandthestars

Yes, that's the sad thing for me that she spends all her time alone. Maybe I am just overly sensitive right now, as I suddenly llost my black lab about a month ago and I am still dealing with that grief.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

gardenman — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:41:13 GMT

@elated wrote:
I feel so bad for that dog. It is too bad no one can catch her and take her to the Humane Society. My experience with animal control has been very negative. The only thing they control is their bodily functions. They don't protect animals or even try to get them to a safe environment.

We have cats that live in my neighborhood that run wild. Animal Control has been called many times but no show. One cat was just left by the owner when they moved. We have some very inhumane people in our society. I always think maybe karma will be their just dessert.

I'm not a fan of our local animal control. We had a stray Border Collie end up in our yard a few years back. Just a very sweet and loving dog. No aggression at all. We couldn't find an owner, the dog had no collar or tag, so we called animal control. The guy used a lasso on a pole to grab the dog by the neck and dragged him to the truck and then lifted him by the lasso into a cage on the truck. I was not happy about that. This dog would have gladly hopped into the truck on his own. It was totally unnecessary to handle him in such a manner. I understand that the officer has to protect himself, but this dog was not a threat in any way. He was just a big old sweetie.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

CrazyDaisy — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 18:17:56 GMT

Most people fail to realize when you call animal control you are calling animal disposal. Pounds, shelters and rescues are so full right now that many places that have not had to in years are now euthanize dogs and cats daily. The local county pound has cages set up all over the office areas in hopes that these animals will have one more day to find a home.

Wish more people would ask "what can I do to help" rather than find fault....but we know that will not happen.

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

moonandthestars — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 05:01:42 GMT

@CrazyDaisy What you say is mostly true. Sadly. Let's be realistic tho most people don't really know what to do or how to help. It would be better and useful if a shelter, etc. that is too busy to actually help that they would take the time to help people understand what they can do themselves and how to do it. Where to get a trap. What kind of trap. How and where to set it up. How often to check. What to do once you trap the dog or cat. What to do if you trap something else by accident! These shelters can be much more helpful than they are. I mean the unhelpful ones - sometimes they just hang up on people or are very short with them. The people who contact them are trying to do the right thing when they are many who just walk on by and never try to get involved. It would be smarter and better if the shelters really can't help then to help people to do it themselves. Maybe they can even give #'s of other rescues, where to post for help or fosters or adoptions. Vets to contact, etc. All the how to's. Guidance! and support!

@Sapphiregal Any updates?

Re: So Upset With Local Animal Control

CrazyDaisy — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:00:26 GMT

@moonandthestars wrote:
@CrazyDaisy What you say is mostly true. Sadly. Let's be realistic tho most people don't really know what to do or how to help. It would be better and useful if a shelter, etc. that is too busy to actually help that they would take the time to help people understand what they can do themselves and how to do it. Where to get a trap. What kind of trap. How and where to set it up. How often to check. What to do once you trap the dog or cat. What to do if you trap something else by accident! These shelters can be much more helpful than they are. I mean the unhelpful ones - sometimes they just hang up on people or are very short with them. The people who contact them are trying to do the right thing when they are many who just walk on by and never try to get involved. It would be smarter and better if the shelters really can't help then to help people to do it themselves. Maybe they can even give #'s of other rescues, where to post for help or fosters or adoptions. Vets to contact, etc. All the how to's. Guidance! and support!

@Sapphiregal Any updates?

Once again you seem to believe that there are OTHERS out there to help. OK you have trapped the animal, will you take the responsibility of fostering, vet and find a new home for him? I am guessing no. Shelters and rescues are FULL. Workers and volunteer's (most places rely heavily on volunteers to survive). These people are stressed to the max and are forced to choose which pet lives or dies. It sure takes a lot of nerve to say they need to do more when all you are willing to do is complain or possibly throw a little money at the problem for others to take care of.