Neighbor and His Dog - Long

[punchinella]

My cousin, Matthew, has a dog, Memphis, that he keeps tied to a runner beside his house. (next door to our house) He never lets him inside, and walks him about once a day (if that). The poor dog has no real interaction with people or other dogs, and has no manners. But he is a real sweetie who just wants some lovin’. But he’s so big and obnoxious – all he does is jump on you. At about 7/8 months old, he’s already bigger than Punchie. He's a german shepherd/lab mix.

Occassionally, he’s managed to chew through the rope that ties to the runner and gets loose. Usually, we’re the ones who find him and tie him back up. So Sunday, about 6:15 am, Punchie is ready to go outside to the bathroom. Memphis has gotten loose and is standing on our porch. I try to take Punchie out, but Memphis is jumping on both of us, Punchie starts getting all ferocious like she’s about to eat him, so I manage to get her back inside, Memphis runs into our house, knocks crap over, and finally I put Punchie’s leash on his collar and start walking him back. About halfway across the yard, I end up on my a$$. (completely knocked to the ground covered in dirt). I bang on Matt’s door, but no answer. Finally I get Memphis back on his runnner. Monday morning, Bart has about the same experience with him. Memphis had chewed through our leash and destroyed a sleeping bag and cloth cooler we had on our porch. He also knocked our cigarette butt holder to the ground and broke it, ate a pack of Bart’s cigs, and there are butts everywhere. So Bart catches up with Matthew and tells him. Matt goes and buys a chain or something to keep him from chewing through it. Then yesterday afternoon, Bart hears some god awful sounds outside and goes to check. Memphis had gotten wrapped up in the chain, and had to stand on his hind legs to keep from hanging himself. Everytime he tried to stand normally, he would scream in pain. So Bart goes and frees him.

Okay, so last night I go to talk to Matt. I go over, and very politely and diplomatically try and discuss the situation (which I’ve tried to do before). I told him my parents even offered to let Memphis stay at their house until he could arrange a better situation. He starts getting all defensive and tells me he’s not talking about it, and it’s none of my business. So then I get hot, and tell him it became my business when I started having to deal with his dog because he won’t....blah, blah, blah. Basically the conversation ended with us both yelling at each other, me storming out of his house and slamming his door and telling him something about him pissing me off and I would just let animal control deal with him. Sometimes I wonder how we could possibly be related.

As it is currently, he has no shelter from wind/rain, and I wonder what will happen this winter. He gets very little exercise, has no training, and isn't socialized. I'm not only concerned for his welfare, but wonder if this lifestyle will lead to aggression and somebody down the road being attacked. Should I just chalk it up to "well it could be worse"? Or pursue it further? Would calling animal control make things worse for the pup? I don't know what to do and need advise. Sorry so long.

 

[TossBranAbi]

I think I would call animal control. Or get ahold of a german shepard or lab resuce. It isn't fair for that poor pup to have to live like that, he needs to have shelter and the winter time will be even harder. I think getting someone else involved would be the best thing for Memphis. It may cause a strain on your relationship with Matt but at this stage it doesn't sound like you care. Good luck and I hope you can get this poor pup some help.

 

[marciafinn]

I would continue to push the issue. He doesn't have any shelter which I believe is enough to get animal control involved.

I think that it is nice of your parents to take custody of the dog until Matt finds a solution. However, I bet if that happened he wouldn't look for a home since Memphis was out of his hair - out of sight of of mind.

I would be just as mad as you since you take good care of your baby and I agree that it has become your problem since you have to take care of Memphis often. I wish I had some better answers. Hang in there and good luck.

 

[beausmommy]

I would not watch poor Memphis be tied to a runner for one more day. Do you know how many dogs choke to death because their irresponsible owners are too lazy to find a better solution? If calling Animal Control is what it takes, pick up the phone immediately! There is no excuse for a dog not having adequate shelter. Be sure to tell them how often Memphis breaks free and comes onto your property as well as the fact that Bart found him choking and had to free him. I think if Memphis breaks free and comes to your house it would be quite alright to hide him somewhere until a new home could be found. It doesn't sound like your cousin could care less about poor Memphis. I'm just glad he has an ally in you. Think of what might have happened if you and Bart hadn't been there to rescue him when he's gotten into trouble.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

I think you have an obligation to cal animal control. Ethically how can you do nothing? Cousin or not, your obligation is to the dog.

 

[Newtonian]

I agree with some of the previous posts....I would contact Animal Control if this continues....our town has actually passed new legislation within the past year which makes it against city ordinance to "tether" or "chain" a dog outside; and it has always been against ordinances to fail to provide appropriate shelter for shade or warmth. You'll probably feel better for having turned the matter over to the authorities than coming home to find a severely injured dog tangled in a chain!

 

[kidzarme]

I agree with the last post. I was part of a committee in my town who presented new ordinances for dogs and they were passed into effect by the city council. It is now against the law in my town to keep a dog 'tethered' or living on a leash/rope/chain. It makes some dogs agressive, does not give them adequate exercize and socialization and offers no quality of life for the dog! It's usually the result of someone getting a dog and they are too lazy to give it the life it deserves. They should not ever own dogs unless they grow up and learn how to value and care for them! If they do not have the physical means or financial means to care for them properly then they should not have them! Period. You will be speaking for the dog who has no voice in this matter. Please follow this through until someone helps the dog.

 

[punchinella]

update

Well, I did get ahold of animal control for our city. I live in a small town, though, and there aren't a lot of resources for this thing. But the man I talked to was very sympathetic to my situation. Unfortunately, being tethered is not against the law here - as long as the dog has access to food and water, and does not look beaten/malnourished/or otherwise in poor condition. Which is not the case here. He did say that not having adequate shelter was a violation. I gave him the address and he said he would drive by. But of course, until a couple of weeks ago, the dog did have a dog house, but for some reason, his friend came and got it. DH said he saw a car drive by the same day and stop for awhile in front of our neighbor's house. But I don't know if a warning was issued or not.
However I have noticed that Matt has been taking Memphis somewhere for several hours in the evenings. I'm thinking maybe going to a friend/girlfriend's house??? I'm thinking this is a positive sign (but can't say for sure). And I noticed what looked like construction of a possible new dog house???
This morning, Memphis was off again. DH and I were riding together to take Punchie to my parent's house before work. As we were driving off, Memphis started following us down the street :eek: So, I said "load him up". We took him to my parent's house for the day to run around with the dogs there. Guess we'll have to deal with it this evening after work.