What would you do?
By tyc415
@tyc415 (5706)
United States
January 8, 2008 12:31pm CST
Our neighbor, a young gentleman, bought the house next to us. He is a good quiet young man, works and always kept his yard nice. Then someone else moved in with him, another young man. After the last boy moved in there are now 3 lab dogs. Two of the dogs always gets out of the fenced in yard, they tear it up or dig out, which ever is easier at the time. The young men have hit hard times, had electricity turned off and are not living in the house now but do come over and put the dogs in the yard, mend the fence unless it is already mended on our side by us, and I assume feed the dogs. They have started getting in people's trash cans and making huge messes. I feel that these dogs don't need to be roaming the streets but then again I hate to call the city on them because they will end up being put to sleep.
What would you do in my case. Call and have the dogs picked up or leave them and hope the young men can get things together and move back in and take care of them.
6 people like this
11 responses
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
9 Jan 08
If the dogs are abandoned, I would contact a local rescue first. There is surely a lab rescue in your area. If not, I can give you a list. Tell them the situation and it is better for the young men to relinquish the dogs to a rescue than it is to call the pound. Dogs that end up at the pound that are owner turn ins, or the owner is known don't have too many days to find a family as legally the local pound isn't obligated to keep them for the legal 3-5 days like total strays. And if they go to pound, that solves your problem but the dogs fate is unknown.
If a rescue doesn't have room for them all, maybe they can take one and help you find spots for the others. Do you know anyone able to provide a temporary safe haven for one or more of the dogs in the meantime?
Tricky because these dogs have owners even if they are negligent.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I would much rather see the dogs go to a rescue instead of the pound. I have learned a lot from your reply and I thank you for responding. I will check and see if I can find a lab rescue in my area and if not I will send you a message and get the list from you of lab rescues.
Thank you
1 person likes this
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Focus on the fact that the owners no longer can care for them and you don't want them ending up at the pound as larger dogs often don't have a chance there. Also, you have to make sure that the guys are willing to relinquish the dogs. If they are owned, technically they have to sign a paper saying they relinquish them. A rescue can't just take the dogs. Often, they prefer dogs are picked up by animal control first only for the fact that the owner then has no claim to the dogs but its too big a risk. Getting the guys to sign them over is the better ticket - either signing them over to you so you can sign them over to the rescue or to the rescue directly.
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Have you tried talking with the young men to see if there is a way the dogs can go with them? I don't blame you one bit for being concerned about your fence or the dogs roaming. Do you have a leash law in your part of the country? We do here so if a dog is running loose it can be picked up by animal control.
Personally, doubt I would call the city but if the problem was way out of control, would have to talk to other neighbors and get their opinions and compare notes. If children are in the neighborhood and it's dangerous for these dogs to run loose, that might change my mind about making a call to the city.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
8 Jan 08
My husband talked to the man across the street just a few minutes ago and found out a little bit. The one young man that is buying the house is in schooling for the army, don't know where he is at. The other one, the one that owns the 3 dogs, lost his job and don't know where he is. The man across the street does feed them some and he said he is thinking about calling the pound on them.
Thank you for your input carolbee.
1 person likes this
@subha12 (18441)
• India
9 Jan 08
I think these dogs are hungry. thats why they tear and also finds food in dustbins. tell the boys to feed them well and keep the dogs inside. if they can't do so, they must call the rescue team to rescue the dogs. they need food and care.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Regardless of what you do the guys are responsible. I used to live next door to a family who kept a dog chained up in the back yard. The dog was a nice dog but when ever it rained or it got bored or scared it would climb the fence. I was always afraid the dog would strangle himself. The family never did anything except feed the dog. He constantly got off the chain and ran the neighborhood. People who do not take care of their pets should not have them. The people who lived next to you should be told that they are in danger of losing the dogs. They could be fined. They should be encouraged to provide the animals with good homes since they cant. Check with your local animal shelter/spca and county officials. Good luck.
2 people like this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Have you tried talking to these men? I'm sure if you don't call and report the dogs, someone else will. It is not good for them to be out roaming around like that. I would try talking to the men as they maybe are not aware of how much of a nuisance their dogs really are.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
9 Jan 08
No, can't get ahold of the guys to talk to them since they are not staying at the house full time right now. They are aware of them getting out all the time, they even did this when they lived there full time.
Thank you for your concern and reply.
1 person likes this
@smwilliams (647)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I guess my question to you is why did they move out and leave their animals? That doesnt sound right to me. I think maybe you need to express concern to these guys when you see them and if nothing is done then you need to contact your local shelter...Or do a little research and see if there is a dog haven close to you...They dont put animals to sleep, but foster them out until homes can be found for them. Dogs are similar to kids..They need attention and TLC or they kinda go nuts. You would be doing the animals a world of favor if nothing is done after you talk to the young men. I would say I would take one..lol...We are actually currently looking for a dog. But I havent seen your profile yet and I imagine you are a few states away at least :) Talk to them and let them know your concerns then take the necessary action..Good luck!
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
9 Jan 08
They have not moved out. Their electricity was shut off so they have no power to the house at all as it is all electric. There is a big storage shed out back that the dogs have as shelter.
I live in south Texas. Right now the shelters are full from that lady that had 237 dogs. Those dogs still haven't been adopted out.
Thank you for your concern and reply.
1 person likes this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
22 Nov 08
How is the dog problem going now? Are you still having any trouble? I always thought that when dogs tear up trash it is because they are hungry. I feel so sad for animals that are allowed to run the streets like this. I hope things are better now!@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I heard that the city picked up one of the dogs and the boy who owned the dogs come back and finally took the other two with him so that is over with and the neighborhood is nice and peaceful again. I am just thankful too that he come back and did get the two that were still there.
@musicman6 (2407)
• United States
9 Jan 08
If there is any possible way to talk with them, and explain, that the only alternative that you have is to call the humane society, and have them picked up, because they are causing damage to the neighborhood, and not only you!
Waiting for them to get back on their feet again, may not be a good solution!
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
9 Jan 08
No way to talk to them musicman. The man that lives behind them is wanting to talk to them also since the dogs go through their fence also plus they have a huge tree in the back and in the high winds we have had a really big limb broke off yesterday and broke a lot of the fence plus the huge limb is now in his yard also. It seems like when it rains it pours for that young man.
1 person likes this
@bushfiredmx (111)
• Philippines
9 Jan 08
I'd definitely call up the city pound for this one. Instead of waiting for the dogs to wreak havoc over your neighborhood because of the young gentleman's absence, you'd better report the dogs so that they can be in safe custody. Hungry or not, their still causing a ruckus in the neighborhood and it would be best for all if thing were a lot more quiet right? We own Lab dogs here in our house and as much as possible we try to keep them from intruding into our other neighbors properties or mess up the trash cans outside our house. Yes, I understand that the young man may probably be busy but in my opinion its not an excuse to leave his dogs to go around the neighborhood and destroy your peace and quiet.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
9 Jan 08
The barking is only a problem when they are in the back yard not when they are out in the neighborhood. I will give them the rest of this week and if nothing is done by then I am sure that I will call the city on them.
Thank you for your reply bushfiremx.
1 person likes this
@dixie5150 (129)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I hate to say it but I would call the city on them. In my opinion they are in more danger running the streets. If they get hit by a car or attacked by another dog they could be left to suffer before someone finds them.
2 people like this
