What do you say to a person who owns a dog but can't afford to keep it?

I would just come out and say look you should give the dog to a person thats going to beable to provide for it, especially if you have kids you never know what could happen. I know I went through that already my sister had a dog and all of a sudden it turned against everyone and it attacted my niece and she is only 1 years old. Thank god she is ok

Unfortunately, you have probably pointed all of this out to them already, and they aren't listening. If you haven't, I would start by pointing out the obvious, which is the safety of the children. Rottweilers as a breed may not be the best choice for a family with small children, especially if the dog is not going to be trained properly. If this dog has already started to nip at the kids, I would be really concerned that it will soon bite and really hurt someone. Usually appealing to the safety of some-one's children will knock sense into them. If not, mention that if the dog bites someone else, for example a friend of one of their kids, they could have a big lawsuit on their hands; besides the legal fees, they would be faced with increased homeowner's insurance rates. Owning a pet is a responsibility, and that includes providing health pet food, not table scraps, and routine veterinary care. The issue of their finances might be a touch subject; why not emphasize that the dog needs to be in a home where it can receive the attention and training that it needs; maybe they are understandably busy with their children... It's a shame, but if people like this want to have pets, there is nothing to stop them; there is no proof that the dog is mistreated or malnourished, so there is no case to report to the humane society. It's sad to watch a situation like this and just wait for it to blow up.

maybe you don't have to confront them, maybe it would be easier to leave a annouymous message at the local humane society about ur concerns about the dog and have them check it out.

Some communities have Animal Control officers that will go and check the welfare of neglected pets. Perhaps you could put in an anonymous call? It's a tough thing to have to do, but if it will help the dog, then how can you NOT make that call?

That means that the poor dog will be unhappy. They should think at the dogs healt. Try to explain them that .

i think if a person cant afford a dog not even any pet enimal he/she nevr deserv to take responsebilty bcoz it can be hurt watever he/she have dog or pet

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do, I'm afraid. If you say much about it, they will probably act defensively. How long have they had the dog? How attached are they to it? If they have just recently gotten it, is there a chance that someone could talk them out of it, pretending that they really want it? That's the only thing I can think of, but then they would probably just get another dog.

i dont think i can say it to my friend much better if i give food to the dog myself in front of them, and maybe i will comment on the dogs health like "oh name of dog are you sad?what do you feel why are you thin? something like that.. and i will try to tell them that maybe the dog is sick.

I admit they sound like awful dog owners. Are you willing to take this dog? Big Black Dogs are almost impossible to adopt out at shelters. Maybe you could find someone else to take him? How can they not afford the cheapest of dog food? Although not ideal, that's the least they could do. How do they afford to feed their children? If they can't afford a vet bill, can they afford to take care of their children at all? It sounds like a bad situation all around to me.

I am at a loss there. Our family (extended) has always been divided. My mom, older sister, neice, tend to acquire animals, and have insufficient income, or had, in the case of my deceased mom. My younger sister, who worked very hard, even while very ill, and could afford pets, always said "even poor people deserve the happiness of pets" My brother and I are more of the line of, "if you can't buy food, and you are on welfare, what business do you have taking on more living things to feed.!?" Somehow along the line, I have become responsible for caring for my sister's two dogs, and I am trying to give them away, no one wants them, and she does not even spend time over here with them. I guess this is just my rant for the day. I sympathise with your situation, might be inclines to call child protective services, or animal control or both, anonymously.

OMG I would first tell them to get a grip and realize their damn priorities! and then I would try to convince them that having this moody, large sized pet isnt in the best interest of the children OR the dog and if they didnt do anything about it, I would honestly report them to the humane society...Its dangerous and down right cruel not to mention flatout stupid considering this animal has already nipped at the little ones... sorry if that sounds harsh but i have ZERO tolerance for ppl that dont do everythign they can to keep their kids safe...IF that rottie decided to have a fit one day and clamp down on one of the little ones..serious damage would be had especially if it was the itty bitty little one! could you just imagine??

You are so right they must find a home without kids for this dog. the sad thing is that from what you are telling me they want untill something awful happens like he bits their child. I hope they take you advice.

ask them to feed the dog properly or give it to someone who need it.its a sin to keep an animal an let the thing starve.so better to give it to someone who can feed.

I don't have an answer for you, but I sure hope you can find a way to convince them that they should not keep it. It sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

ohh that is pretty awful man but very rampant in our country. i believe that owning a dog entails a big responsibility as well. they have needs and i think that being their owners we should provide them with these things. it would be very unfair for them to just be given scrap food. if they cant afford dog food i think they should find a new owner for their dog.

Actually, every animals, naturely, they find their own foods. If they can not afford to buy food, let him free to search their foods.

this extreamly owful.. i mean if a person cant afford a responsibilty why should he take it..and more over if he does not has money for his dog,s food then he should sell the dog ...

I think if they cant efford a dog they shouldnt have one.I mean dogs are not toys and they can be expensive to keep.A dog should be taken care of and not just bought to keep a kid happy .

mad

just tell them that keeping that dog is bad for their kids.. they are irresponsible.. they should just opt the dog for adoption.. my 2 cents..