(Long) Opinions please

[jen812]

A friend on fb posted of an animal neglect case not too far away from me. He requested that we post on the state's SPCA to help this dog.

I copied the post that my friend wrote & added please help this dog.

In light of the news this morning about the abused and dead pitbull found by the river, we would like to bring another case of animal neglect and abuse to everyone's attention. This dog (see pictures) is currently living in ____ in the cold, in a small cage, surrounded by his feces, malnourished, sores over his body, tumor on his belly, and with minium human contact. It is being ignored and wrongly treated. The owners have left the country (for an extended visit) and have left the animal to the care of a relative. "Mugsy", as we've named him, only gets food when the caretaker has time, his water is frozen from the harsh winter, and this dog needs serious medical attention. We have contacted everyone, including the SPCA and the _____ dog officer who claim that the living conditions are "adequate". The SPCA representative didn't even come to visit the dog because it was "too far away" and only listened to what the dog officer said. However, there is a law stating dogs can only be out for 14 hours--- yet he is out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- rain, snow, sleet, or freezing cold. A year and a half ago, there is record that someone complained about the cruelty to this dog and no one did anything then! The _____ league is willing to take the dog, and someone is willing to adopt and care for the dog. Please help us remedy this cruelty and prevent another situation like the pitbull! This is disgusting and it's happening under our noses! We need to defend these helpless animals. Please, PLEASE be the voice that this dog doesn't have!

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[jen812]

The president of the SPCA's response:
This is my response to a concerned person such as yourself and it is not directed to you. I hope it helps in some way and again thank you for your concern. Needless to say I applaud your concern about any animal that may be in harms way. The rhetoric in your statement posted does cause harm however. It is my feeling that a person of intelligence such as yourself should be knowledgeable about all the facts before they malign the SPCA or any other organization or individual. A knowledge of the law also helps. It may come as a surprise to you but I have a veterinary report and a report from the ACO in ______ pertaining to the dog you have a concern about as do we. It was through our initiative that the _____ ACO looked into the situation and brought the dog to a veterinarian. As a veterinarian I respect the opinion of another veterinarian when it comes to an empirical assesment of an animal. In the document I have before me, the attending veterinarian does not feel the dog is in any danger and beleives the dog's present living conditions are not detremental to the health and well being of the dog. The laceration was tended to as were other issues the veterinarian felt needed attention. The dog is elderly and bascially in good health from the report I have. Granted there are things that may not be acceptable to you or anyone else but do not violate any animal cruelty laws as now written. In conclusion I would hope that you set the record straight on facebook about our organization and accusation that we stood by while Rome burned when in fact our intervention was the impetus for getting this dog looked at. Again I thank you for your concern and everyone else's for being the ears and eyes for those who cannot speak for themselves. I wil however personally see the dog on Monday. You should also know the SPCA is a private non profit humane society with no city, state or federal affiliation nor are we associated with the ASPCA in New York. With two people here to investigate animal cruelty cases from _______ to ______ is an impossible task for us. That is why there are Animal Control Officers in your towns whose salary you are paying. In closing, the dog has issues that most 13 year old dogs have according to the veterinarian and to further inform you, an ACO or veterinarian can overide the law about a dog living outside beyond what is written as law and from my information both the ACO and veterinarian have granted that permission.

[jen812]

My response:

Thank you for your response. You are correct in your statement that I do not know all the facts. I am still concerned however with the response that ______ is 'too far away'. I understand you are short staffed, but maybe a better response could have been just that. As stated, I do not know the full details, but I find it difficult to swallow that a veterinarian would be okay with an elderly dog being outside 24 hours a day given the harsh weather we've had. I appreciate the work that the SPCA does on a daily basis, but I still feel you dropped the ball here.

[jen812]

His response:

In reagrd to one of my staff stating that _____ is "too far away" is very difficult for me to believe because of the 1000's of calls we have recieved over the years. There has not been one we did not respond to or request the police in the town to investigate. No cruelty or negledct cases are handled other than by myself or Mr. _____, despite the fact we are short staffed. As for you having difficulty swallowing the fact that a veterinarain stated in his report that he had no problem with the dog staying outside for 24 hours is also incorrect.I have the report stating his approval and the verbal permission by the ACO of the town. In regard to the dog's housing, I have been told he has a small dog shelter in the kennel and that the small dog shleter has a back door leading into a garage. I do not know if this is ture or not but would rather beleive the people reporting to me than not beleiving. As for dropping the ball, that was not called for unless you went to the game which obviouly you did not.Again I admire your compassion and wish you well.

[jen812]

Didn't he say that a vet over rode the law?

How should I respond? I don't care for the 'tone' of this last response.

[calico]

Dude is contradicting himself. In his inital response, he says-

the attending veterinarian does not feel the dog is in any danger and beleives the dog's present living conditions are not detremental to the health and well being of the dog.

Once you mention that you have a problem with the opinion, he says-

As for you having difficulty swallowing the fact that a veterinarain stated in his report that he had no problem with the dog staying outside for 24 hours is also incorrect.


Total contradiction. Part of the dog's living conditions are the fact that he's outside 24 hours a day in horrible weather. I doubt that you live in Hawaii where it doesn't get colder than 60 degrees. Plus, he can't spell.

Call him out on his inconsistencies.

[jen812]

Thank you for your response & reading through all of that. He was making me think I misunderstood about the living conditions. Glad you agree with me.

Supposedly, he is going to visit the dog himself today. I am hoping to see an update from him or a volunteer who requested to meet him there.

Also, I live in the northeast. We've had a pretty severe winter between the amount of snow, wind & freezing temps. Definitely not Hawaii.

[jen812]

He did leave a message on his organizations website. Upon his arrival, the kennel was clean, a watering system was in place & he had blankets (all provided by kind, concerned volunteers). The care taker told him the dog was brought inside occasionally & he prefers to be outside. There is nothing else he can do.

[katietornado]

You should try to get in touch with Dogs Deserve Better. They are really good at getting people to relinquish chained dogs, and really making things happen.

[jen812]

From what I understand, the caretaker is 'caring' for the dog while the owner is out of the country for an extended period. Would that organization you suggested care for the dog until the owners return?

[calico]

Is the owner on military deployment?

[jen812]

Mar 26, 2013 9:45:32 GMT -5 calico said:

Is the owner on military deployment?

I have no idea.

[calico]

Hmm, ok. I know there is an organization that will find foster homes for military personnel on deployment, but short of that, it sounds like someone just needs to foster the dog out of the goodness of their heart. Does anyone know how to contact the owner? If I was away and someone was "taking care" of my dog like this, I would be livid. I know that not everyone believes that pets are family and treats them like that, so maybe the owner is aware, but you never know.

[jen812]

Mar 26, 2013 12:56:33 GMT -5 calico said:

Hmm, ok. I know there is an organization that will find foster homes for military personnel on deployment, but short of that, it sounds like someone just needs to foster the dog out of the goodness of their heart. Does anyone know how to contact the owner? If I was away and someone was "taking care" of my dog like this, I would be livid. I know that not everyone believes that pets are family and treats them like that, so maybe the owner is aware, but you never know.

I would be livid too. I'll let the original fb poster know of your suggestions. I know someone has both offered to foster & adopt the dog, but I don't think the caretaker was interested.