neighbor rant...need advice

[boilerupking]

we've new neighbors who moved in across the street 2 months ago, and i am not pleased.
they must have gotten a puppy for christmas, he's a tiny pit bull puppy. i noticed him last week, outside on their front porch.
it's been unbearably cold here lately, temps and windchills below zero. apparently, they just put the puppy ouside on the front porch to go potty and leave him unsupervised while he is out there. i happened to be looking out the window and saw the little guy out there, standing by the door shivering and holding up his paws. i ran over there and picked him up, knocked on the door and said something like "i guess you forgot about this baby..." the young woman was on the phone, and said "oh." took the dog from me, and closed the door.
this same scenario has repeated itself about 4 times. i can't just let him suffer out there, and worry about him constantly.
i have a brother in law who is a cop in our town, but if i get him involved, they will know it was me who called. i don't want to get into an altercation or anything nasty. last night, i brought the dog to hubby's attention, and he wanted to go over there and just take the dog away from them. there is a crate on their front porch, and hubby assured me if he ever sees the dog in the crate in this weather, he will take the dog from them on the spot.
i went over there this morning, took some toys and a collar and leash that buster has outgrown (the puppy has a rope tied around his neck for a collar!) to introduce myself and make nice with them, but no one answered the door.
i guess i would like some advice on how you all would handle the problem. i don't want to stir up any trouble with the neighbors, but it breaks my heart to see the dog outside like that. i can't not get involved, but am not sure what the best plan of action may be. truthfully, i am not above taking the dog, but they would know it was me.
anyone have a better method of dealing with this situation? thanks for listening, and for any advice.

 

[mini]

i say call your brother in law!!! it doesnt sound like the dog has adequate accomodations for the weather if it is spending the majority of its time outside!! poor baby! unfortunately dogs are considered property so if you take it they could sue you or press charges

 

[devilfan]

If a local law enforcement member just happened to be driving by and notice a young pup freezing on the front porch they could stop and inquire as to whose dog it is and explain proper care for such conditions.

 

[WAT]

I also say call your brother in law or the humane society before it is too late.
So many Christmas puppies end up with this fate, it is really sad. So cute under the tree Christmas morning, and then the "newness" wears off. :(

 

[BoxerMom999]

What a terrible situation. Bless you for caring and wanting to do something. Can you try again - to give them the items and at the same time mention how cold it is for a puppy or even an adult dog?

 

[daizysmom]

If a local law enforcement member just happened to be driving by and notice a young pup freezing on the front porch they could stop and inquire as to whose dog it is and explain proper care for such conditions.

I like this idea. If he just drives by, sees the dog and is concerned, all responsibility is off of you. You don't have to "call in the cops", just call in a favor.

 

[RoxDiezAlize]

I agree, I would call either your brother-in-law, or the aspca as soon as possible. I understand not wanting to cause trouble, especially with neighbors, but no dog should have to be in the cold for too long. Let alone a puppy. Pits have especially short hair too. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try to do something. I think it's good of you to have tried what you already have, but obviously, your neighbors don't care enough about animals, and in my book, they don't deserve to own any. Good Luck, and please keep us updated.

 

[BetsyB]

A similar incident happened to me with my nasty neighbors last summer. They had a boxer puppy they just stuck out in the yard in 110 degree heat for 2 days. I saw it lying there in the yard and jumped their fence to get it. She was unconscious, unresponsive and barely breathing. I bathed her in cool water for 45 minutes before she came around. Her temp was 106 after the water! Brought her to the emergency vet because she had pus dripping from her vulva and a bloody rectum and tail, and temp was still 103 after 3 hours. The next day the neighbors came home and came to my house demanding their dog back. I refused unless they would take care of her properly, so they called the cops and said I stole their dog. Cops came and took her back to the neighbors after making them pay me back the vet bills, and made the neighbor promise to take the puppy to the vet on Monday morning. They then followed up with the vet to make sure she actually took her. Lots more to the story, but basically they said I should have called animal control asap when I found her, and they probably would have pressed cruelty charges on the owner. My advice... call animal control! I don't ever regret saving that puppy, but wish I had gotten animal control involved because now they have moved and I still worry about her...

 

[RoxiesEcho]

Even though it's a bad way to start with the neighbors I would call your BIL or the Humane Society as long as they won't do something stupid since it's a pitbull. This is just plain cruelty and neglect. And then to make things worse it is a pit therefore it needs to be socialized properly early on so that there are no dire circumstances later. This is a lose/lose situation in the making. Poor baby! He's lucky that you are watching out for him as much as you can.

 

[bucca]

i agree with everyone else call your bil. that dog deserves a much better home then what he got stuck with. poor baby