What the hell is wrong with people??

[prole_for_peace]

The ones renting the house next door to me moved out Wednesday. While doing some yard work today, I walked close to the house and heard barking and growling from underneath. THEY MOVED AND LEFT THEIR DOG!!! It is a rottweiler (sp?) and they always left it chained to the back steps and it stayed under the house. I has seen the woman of the house talking to a man from across the street on a few occasions so I went over and asked him about them moving. He said "yes" they had moved and I mentioned the dog. He was not too happy either and said he hasn't seen anyone coming and going. So..I looked up the property owner on our county's tax assessor site and called him. He wasn't very happy either and said he is calling his ex-tenants tomorrow.

I feel horrible. I know he has some food but I don't know about water and when I try to get close he barks and growls so much I get scared even though he isn't coming out from under the house.

[mike_c]

1. call the police....

They'll arrange for the local animal control officer or animal shelter to pick the dog up and keep it fed and watered. Most places have laws prohibiting such cruel treatment as willfull abandonment to starve. Those former tenants need to tell it to a judge.

[prole_for_peace]

2. I was waiting to do that until I talked to the owner.

Sometimes the animal control and cops don't want to go on the property without the owner's consent.

[Maddy McCall]

6. When an animal is being abused or neglected...

trust me--animal control officers have NO PROBLEM with going onto property without owners' consent.

[H2O Man]

7. But this is likely

one of the times they would. Also, while you can only speculate what they may or may not do, and while you are not responsible for what they may or may not do ..... you are responsible for doing the right thing yourself. Good luck.

[Maddy McCall]

3. This is exactly the advice I would offer...

but I especially like Mike's last sentence. I agree: let them tell it to the judge.

[Lex]

4. Please try to make sure the dog isn't placed back with those people!

They obviously have treated him cruelly and don't want him! Poor baby.

[Gothic Sponge]

5. I hate people!

[bookfreak]

8. People are cruel, heartless...

SOBs. They should be chained under a porch with no food or water for a week or two. :evilfrown:

Definitely call the SPCA, if you have one in your area. Barring that (only if you are desperate) call the police or animal control. I say this because the police/animal control will likely have the dog put to sleep once they catch him/her, whereas the SPCA will keep the dog until it is taken to a new home.