Is this pet abuse?

[radhak]

Our neighbours have had a poodle for more than a year. They never walk it, never even bring it out of their yard, and always leave it in their backyard thru the day when they are out for work/school. She's a tiny, pretty girl, and seems to have got used to it, even with the torturous hot sun of SoFlo. They do have a porch at the which might be shelter from the sun most of the day, and from rain.

I am not sure, but they might be taking her indoors during the night; I have noticed a dog-bed in their garage (they keep their cars out), so maybe she sleeps there occasionaly/regularly.

Today, I heard a lot of continuous yelping, so peeked over the fence. I see that they have another puppy now, looks a month old or so. Maybe a boxer, something similar. He's inside a closed wire-cage, around 2' x 2' x 2'. I see a water bowl, though am unable to decide if it would be enough for the whole day. Obviously he's not used to this, so he yelped till his throat gave out.

As far as we know, the neighbours go out by 8.30am, and come back only by 7pm or later. I am no dog expert, but all this seems too cruel and inhumane. But I ask y'all : isn't this abuse? Can I do something about it, preferrably anonymously? They have neighbours all around them, so could I complain to somebody and get away with it? I am only at the 'hello, how you doing' level of friends with them, but don't want to get into a fight, particularly because we could be neighbours for years to come.

Any advice welcome.

[MikeMcCoy]

I can't see letting any animal get treated that way but a phone call to your SPCA and a couple of questions would tell you whether or not it's officially considered abuse.

[cgallery]

Up here (suburb of Milwaukee), a member of PETA filed a complaint about a house where two dogs were kept outside year round. An investigation found that the dogs had: food, fresh water, shelter (it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter), and all their shots. The PETA member complained that just keeping the dogs outside in the freezing cold was cruel, but the investigator said no problem because there was a kennel for them to shield themselves from the cold, rain, and snow.

I would say that the bare minimum for Florida dogs would be the same: food, fresh water, shelter from the sun, and all their shots.

That is the bare minimum.

Why do people that are never home get dogs?

[RAFlorida]

Complain!

No animal should be subjected to the summer sun down here in Florida or anywhere else. They need shade and lots of water. The puppy should not be in a 2x2x2 enclosure. That isn't enough space to get around and take care of nature. Is the cage in the shade or direct sun? No matter it still's too small of a confinement. Dade county has very strict laws about pets, Polk county as well. Florida has gotten the get tough laws about pets and animals in general, so call the local SPCA. And you can call anonymously. Do those creatures a favor or service.

[germdoc]

Why do people that are never home get dogs?

Probably for the same reason people with overwhelming health, mental or financial problems have children...

[Uncle Cracker]

No animal should be subjected to the summer sun down here in Florida or anywhere else. They need shade and lots of water.

Shade and water can be provided, even in Florida. I know many people with "outside" dogs, and none of the dogs are the slightest bit uncomfortable. They can seek shade if they like, or a sunny spot, or some can even go swimming. If the basic needs for comfort, health, safety and nourishment are met continuously, there should be no issue. Not every dog is meant to sit on your lap.

That said, pets that are neglected or otherwise put in harm's way, should be rescued, and their owners dealt with. And that can happen just as easily with pets that live inside.

[dstenson]

Is it abuse? I don't know, and it's probably different depending on where you live. But, you should certainly call the SPCA and make them aware of it. They will likely send someone out just to check up on the situation. But you will not need to be any more involved than a phone call.

[radhak]

Thanks everybody - I am concerned both about it being legal abuse, or even morally so. The pup is in the patio, where there's shade at least in the morning; but am pretty sure the sun gets there in the afternoon.

I think I'd be slightly less concerned if the pup was loose in the backyard, or maybe in a larger enclosure. I am not sure how it'd feed.

Yes, not all dogs need to be indoors, or protected. I guess I only seeking reassurance that both the dogs are ok. While the family is not abusive per se, maybe they are ignorant or unaware, and a call or talk from a specialist might help them and their pets.

Funny, the south florida spca website seems to be solely for horses !
Wonder what they'd say if I called them - dogs are just small horses ?!!?

[Russianwolf]

yes it is cruelty. I say that for the simple reason that dogs are social animals and keeping them contained and not interacting with them is cruel.

Legal Cruelty can vary by jurisdiction. We have a situation here where two dogs are kept in a 10x10 kennel. They are constantly laying and walking in their own feces. That's neglect and cruelty in my opinion, but the laws don't say that it is illegal.

Call Animal Control.

[ragswl4]

Thanks everybody - I am concerned both about it being legal abuse, or even morally so. The pup is in the patio, where there's shade at least in the morning; but am pretty sure the sun gets there in the afternoon.

I think I'd be slightly less concerned if the pup was loose in the backyard, or maybe in a larger enclosure. I am not sure how it'd feed.

Yes, not all dogs need to be indoors, or protected. I guess I only seeking reassurance that both the dogs are ok. While the family is not abusive per se, maybe they are ignorant or unaware, and a call or talk from a specialist might help them and their pets.

Funny, the south florida spca website seems to be solely for horses !
Wonder what they'd say if I called them - dogs are just small horses ?!!?

Abuse or not, more folks should be concerned as you are and take action when it appears that animals are not being cared for. They love us even when we are not nice to them. I for one would not hesitate to call the SPCA to inquire about these dogs welfare. Thanks for not just looking the other way.

[Tom Slick]

I've got a neighbor, "crazy Mary", who has 7 dogs in small pens. the bark and cry all the time. I've seen animal services at her house but they never take any animals away.
The problem is if they are taken care of a physically then there isn't much the authorities can do. Morally, I find it wrong in many ways, but what are you going to do? not much more then feel bad for the dogs.

side note to the story: I have "crazy mary" 2 doors down on one side, and "the other crazy mary" 2 doors down on the other side. I'm not kidding, they are both weird and both named mary.

[LarryG]

Rags said it nicely. As for my own opinion as to what you should do, all I can tell you is that if it were me, I'd absolutely err on the side of caution.

I understand your concerns about not making an enemy of a new neighbor, but you might see if you can find a way to raise the issue with them gently. Maybe mention that you hear the new pup barking constantly and you wondered if he'd knocked his water bowl over ...? Or something like that. It may be that you'll be calling their attention to something of which they're not aware. OTOH, if they get all huffy about your "meddling" (as they might view it), that could be an indication that your concerns were not misdirected.

Another thing you might think about ... suppose you report them anonymously, and in a few days they knock on your door demanding to know if you're the one who called in the complaint. What will you say then?

[crokett]

I'd talk to them first and tell them the puppy is constantly barking and disturbing you. Suggest it might be because the enclosure is too small and if the puppy has the run of the yard he/she might be happier. Give them a chance to make things right. Of course if they then do nothing and then they get a visit from animal control chances are they are coming back to you.

[jziegler]

That's a tough situation. It's probably not physically abuse to the dogs, so there's a good chance that animal control would do nothing about it. Now the cage does sound samll for the puppy, but than small crates are the norm for many dogs. Greyhound crates at the tracks are only 3.5' x 4' x 3' for a large sized, fully grown dog. Does the puppy get out of the cage at all?

Without seeing the situation, it's really hard to say what to do here. Obviously, it's not a great situation for the dogs. But, I don't know a good solution to it either.

Jim

[radhak]

Getting hold of animal control is not easy - shall need to try again later.

I went home at lunch time just to have a second look. The pup was sitting quietly in the cage, no sound. But he did look up at me, so he's okay. The water bowl still has water, but I could not see another bowl for food. The shade is good.

I will look for an opportunity to broach this with them, and hold off on the animal control call for a day or two more. I agree, this may not cross the law, but I'd be happier if I could ensure he has his food, water and reasonable living space.

rags, i'm just the guy on the spot; thanks are due to everybody here who's concerned enough to take the time try and help a small creature out.