what's right? need help I dont know what to do! please help (long)

[boxer411]

Right or wrong *morally* you MUST follow the law.
First, like it or not, dogs are property and taking one is theft.
Secondly, stealing dogs to "rescue" them hurts the very important reputation of *true* rescue groups, who often work *years* to be recognized by local authorities and build a raport. A well-meaning person who uses the Rescue ideal to committ a crime jeopardizes all that rescue works towards.

Now, contact your local boxer rescue and ask them if they can help. They may be able to contact Animal Control, police or the neighbor and make some improvements. They're better equipped, and more knowledgable about laws, rights and strategies in this area.

I know its hard, but you *have* to play by the rules.

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Cathi
boxer411@grm.net
North Missouri Boxer Rescue
www.grm.net/boxer411/

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

This is a sticky situation. I agree however that the dog IS the legal property of its owner and unless the owner is breaking any laws or humane regulations in your area, there is little you can do, legally. Also, there ARE people who keep their Boxers outside all the time. I would never do that to ANY dog, let alone a Boxer, but that is certainly MY decision to make. Just as it is your decision whether to keep your own dog inside or outside.

Since there is a relationship between your husband and this gentleman, why not give the man the benefit of the doubt first. Perhaps he has valid reasons for keeping the dog outside. Perhaps he is uneducated about Boxers and you could very well bring him information regarding their health and well being. Discuss the situation with your husband and express your concerns. Ask if your husband could approach the man, as a long time friend, and discuss the situation with him, in a non-confrontational way. Simply opening up the discussion could very well open the man's eyes to how others perceive what he is doing and he might change his ways or provide more shelter and warmth for the dog if he can't or won't keep it inside.

I think as a friend, your husband (or perhaps even you, as a concerned neighbor) could approach the man and ask him something like "doesn't your Boxer get cold outside all the time? My Boxers hate the cold. . ." and begin the discussion there. Let the man explain his actions before jumping down his throat or taking some action which might harm an otherwise good relationship.

If he is unreasonable or you can get no satisfactory response from him, you might in a calm and reasoned manner tell him your concerns, backed up by some information on short haired breeds and cold weather, etc., and ask if he might consider providing more warmth or protection from the cold for his dog. You should never go to him with ultimatims or threats. The only thing this will accomplish is to build a wall and end communication between you and then you'll never be able to help the dog.

If he refuses, then and only then would I contact a rescue organization and explain the situation and tell them that you can't risk being involved because you have to live near this man and he is your husband's long time friend. Let them know the steps you have taken in trying to talk and reason with the man and your concerns about the humane conditions of the dog. Chances are they will step in anonymously and see what they can do for the dog. Or in the alternative, contact your local Humane Society and discuss the situation with them and see what they recommend.

I wish you luck. Keep us posted on what is happening. But PLEASE, don't do anything illegal or something you may regret later.


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Dan from Brooklyn
Proud Pappa to Maggie Mae, Born 6/16/00
Flashy Fawn (Red), docked tail, natural ears.
Pictures: http://maggie.artshost.com

 

[Brenda]

Please contact a rescue organization immediately! I live in Canada and we have lots of snow here with very cold temperatures. Whenever we take Harley out for a walk he wears a fleece-lined coat. When he just goes out to potty, without his coat, he is shivering when he comes back inside. I know that it's partly because he's not an outdoor dog but boxers have too short a coat to be left out day and night, especially in the winter. I know there have been many winter nights that I've looked outside (-30F) and watched the wind whip the snow around and wonder what it must be like for all of the homeless people and animals to be out in those temperatures. I don't know how cold it gets where you live but I would be in tears every night thinking about that poor baby being all alone and shivering in the cold. I wish there was some way I could help you myself. Please, please phone somebody and get that poor baby rescued!!

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Brenda
Boxer Baby: Harley - born 12/27/98 - adopted 1/08/2000 - docked tail/natural ears/neutered - full of pee & vinegar!

 

[Robyn]

I've made some inquiries and will get back to you.

 

[Nikki's Mom]

A rescue origination should keep you anonymous, Just call a local rescue place and talk to them.

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Jennifer,
Nikita (Nikki) - White female born 8/1/93
www.nikita_boxer.homestead.com/nikki.html

 

[buddy'smom]

I do hope you can help this poor little boxer. I couldn't sleep at night knowing there was a dog just down the street, freezing outside. Please do all you can do to help this little guy out. I live in Canada as well and it gets cold here. Neither Buddy or Kailee want to spend much time outside without a coat on. Please keep us posted.

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Jean
Buddy--Born May 4 1993
Male Fawn
Cropped Ears
Our best friend and companion

Kailee--Female Brindle
Natural Ears
Born Oct. 16, 1998
Adopted by us October 27, 2000

 

[kitten]

I hope for the pups sake that the rescue can help thanks robyn I'll do anything I can to warm that poor pup's cold ears and paws.... my emotions were in it yesterday worring about that pup and dans right have to do this by the book. my pups and I walk past this boxer in the summer on our walks so I worry about getting the blame if they might try to do something to my pups mine are always in my yard but in the summer they're out on thare tie-outs. while the kids play and everyone knows my pups the mail lady even stops and talks to dartagnan. I was shocked that this guy that owns the pup was disapointed( he stoped in the middle of the road to ask) that I didnt get a female I told him I wasnt breeding. and that I felt that unless he was a show pup and had a title I didnt want to breed him (I never told him about my limited reg. I felt it was nothing he needed to know)I told him I wouldnt of breed a female anyway i got them for pets not money and after looking at the rescue page all the time why breed? thares som any boxers to go around why make more? ....

before i got aramis I was looking at a rescue and my heart droped out when he was adopted. he was my wallpaper on here for weeks and still is sometimes... his name was bruno he was a flashy brindal and under a year and soo cute. so in the missed pup and I waited the two weeks and got aramis

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mom of....
D'artagnan: semi-flashy fawn male croped and docked 12/4/99
Aramis: flashy brindal docked, we are leaveing him with natural ears! 7/8/00

 

[Julie Davis]

Please keep us posted on this. I feel so bad for that boxer! Is there any way he'd let you buy him, then you could have your third musketeer!

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Boomer, flashy fawn, 2/19/00, natural ears, docked tail and Baxter the terrible tabby, 3/96