What should I do?
By loveyevi
@loveyevi (513)
United States
January 19, 2009 3:53am CST
My sister has a dog she got about 1 year ago. He is a husky/lab mix so is very energetic. A very cute dog and lovable. The only problem is that she mistreats him. He has still not been house broken and he goes to the bathroom in one of the rooms in her house. Aside from the fact that it is disgusting, is that considered abuse? I also know that when he does something he is not supposed to do she hits him. Just the other day I was over there and he snapped at one of her cats so she got up, pinned him to the wall and gave him a nice kick. Her boyfriend also does the same thing. The dog never seems to be seriously injured. He is scared of new people though and although has never lashed out at anyone, does bark at them ferociously and lets no strangers next to him. This is not a well balanced dog at this point and this should not be happening.
The dog does seem happy when around them, just very scared whenever anyone raises their voice. They give him plenty of food and water and even let him go outside for a few minutes to pee every now and then.
I have tried talking to her about my concerns but as far as she is concerned she is doing nothing wrong. Do you agree?
Is what I described considered animal abuse? Can I contact animal protective services or whatever they may have, to report her? It would be hard for me to do that anyways because she is my sister and she will know it was me who reported her. Even if I did though would they bother to come out and check on the dog? And would they find it animal abuse? I am really torn and confused about this situation, any insight would help.
5 responses
@dsrtrose (166)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Abused animals are like abused children. They view any attention (whether hitting or kicking) as attention, therefore that is how they percieve love. Do what is best and be the advocate for the dog who cannot speak for itself, and either remove it or report it to the Humane Society. The longer you wait, the more behavioral issues will have to be corrected before he can be adopted out to someone who WILL love him an treat him right. Please remove or report any other animals in the house as well. And if they ever have children, be suspicious of the way THEY are treated, as obviously, love and pain are synonymous toone of them.
1 person likes this
@loveyevi (513)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thank you for your advice. This is a very hard thing for me. We did grow up in an abuse home, so it very well might be that she learned that and will treat her pets like that. This is a very hard thing for me to do, but I am starting to see that if the dog is being mistreated I must go to the authorities no matter the consquences. Thank you again. Take care.
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
21 Jan 09
Would your sister go to animal behavior classes if you made the arrangements? It sounds to me as though she doesn't know proper dog handling and classes might be just the thing for both her and the dog.
@spiritwolf52 (2300)
•
19 Jan 09
That IS animal abuse. I would call the humane society and report her. No dog/animal deserves to be kicked. You don't kick someone you love. If the dog is not housebroken then I blame her home environment. It sounds like she was never taught. To use the house like a toilet is a health concern both for the dog and the humans. This poor dog is being mistreated. Of course he won't like strangers, he has probably never been socialized to interact properly with others. The dog needs to be removed for his own safety. Call the cops, the humane society or husky welfare, but please get that dog some help. If you can call a rescue/welfare center, they will help the dog and work with him. They won't put him down after 7 days like the pound would. There are places that can help.
Sorry, but it sounds like your sister and her boyfriend should never own a dog. They do not know how to treat them properly. Please get this poor pooch the help he needs.
1 person likes this
@loveyevi (513)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thank you for your comment on the humane society. One of my concerns was if I did turn her over to the authorities, what they would do to the dog. I would not want the dog to be put down and can not take it in myself as it does not get along with my own dog.
@jonivl (15)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Have you talked to your sister about your concerns? Some people don't realize they're acting badly (or in this case abusive). Maybe tell her you'd have to get the dog some help if she doesn't make changes right away. Give her specific examples of her abuse to the dog. Has anyone else noticed her bad behavior? Have them stand with you when you confront her. Then if it doesn't get better she has no cause to get angry, because you warned her. But please don't wait to take action!
1 person likes this
@loveyevi (513)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thank you for your advice. Unfortunately we do not live in a place where people take much credence to dog abuse, and they really couldnt care less. I will try to confront her about it a few more times and warn her that I will go to the humane society if it doesn't stop.
@w00zle (6)
•
21 Jan 09
Without a doubt this poor dog is being abused. Your sister should not be allowed to have him. Absolutely you should report her. I know you feel awkward cos of it being your sister but it's not fair on the dog. It'd serve your sister right if it turned on her one of these days.
1 person likes this
