Community Chat

[Marp]

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@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.

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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.

[cherry]

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

[missy1]

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.

[NickNack]

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.

[Cakers3]

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.

[goldensrbest]

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.

[Shaunac]

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.

[Lipstickdiva]

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.

[Hoovermom]

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?

[goldensrbest]

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.