There should be an animal rights forum.

[DUlover2909]

I live in a small apartment complex (20 units or so). My neighbors moved in recently and now there is a 6 month old golden retriever mix tied up in front of the mailboxes. His leash can't be more than 3 feet long. He's been there 24 hours a day for 3 days. He yelps and cries and it seems that nobody pays attention to him. I live in Houston where it's hot. I noticed on my way to work (at 5 pm) that he didn't have any food or water. I took a plastic margerine container from my cupboard and filled it with water for him. I bought some chews for him when I went to the grocery store and he gobbles them up. I see now a small styrofoam boal with dog food in it but he is still very lonely, depressed, and apparently very bored. I went out just now and played with him with one of the leather chews I bought him. He perked up quite a bit. I put one of my towels down for him to lay on since his owners just left him to lay on the pavement. I gave him some ear medicine I had left over from my cats for his ear mites. He has fleas too, and I have no idea if he's been vaccinated.

I feel so sorry for him. What should I do? I called the apartment manager. If she won't do anything should I call the Humane Society? I hate seeing an animal being neglected this way.

[ThomCat]

1. There is

it's called Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=231

I would definitely suggest calling whatever local authorities deal with abused animals. I hope you can get that poor dog rescued. :(

[DUlover2909]

2. ok thanks. I see it now. I missed it the first time.

[Tyler Durden]

10. Since I am not a Veg or Vegan, will I be OK there?

I'm reducing most meat, but it's not likely to disappear all together.

I'm also not completely opposed to all animal-based medical testing. It may become obsolete one day...

Not that I'm for testing your shampoo by rubbing it in some rabbit's eye: I'm not.

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. You'll be fine.

I'm also on the progressing-towards, perhaps-never-to-entirely-reach, veganism part of the veg spectrum.

My interest is in the simple things we can do that make the most difference, and practical results over purity of practice.

[Tyler Durden]

13. Thanks.

I'm looking for a new DU place to hang out. It's getting HOSTILE out there. You can't even oppose Hate Speech if someone wants to hate the group you're in.

[Sugar Smack]

3. Immediately call someone in the HS or take him yourself.

Please. And welcome to DU. :hi:

[flvegan]

4. Call your local animal control/animal services

Not providing food, shelter or adequate movement is illegal in a great many locales. If you don't have an animal services, call your local humane society or shelter. Also, please alert any nearby golden retriever rescues and let them know that this animal might be going into a shelter.

If all else fails, take him yourself. Be sure to get him to a vet right away for those fleas and his vaccines.

Good looking out for this pup, and welcome to DU.

[VLC]

9. The Texas law was recently updated... but it's not good

Here's the actual law:

http://www.thln.com/New%20Subchapter%20D,%20Chapter%20821%20-%20TX%20Health%20&%20Safety%20Code.pdf

And here's an explanation from one of the lawyers from the Texas Humane Legislation Network who helped get it passed:

Section 821.077 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (the new
“anti-tethering” law) is a poorly worded statute and it provides
very
little meaningful protection to animals. It is most certainly not the
version that THLN wanted. The only good thing that can be said about
this law is that it is a beginning and it can be amended in future
legislative sessions.

There is a lot of confusion about this new law. It does not
prohibit
people from tethering their dogs from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. or during
extreme weather conditions. It only prohibits them from using certain
types of restraints and collars during those times and weather
conditions. Specifically, it prohibits people from using choke/pinch
collars, short restraints, “unsafe” restraints, or injurious
restraints
from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. or during extreme weather conditions. In
other words, you are allowed to keep your dog chained to a tree all
night long or when it is 110 degrees outside or below freezing as long
as the restraint is not a prohibited type and not too short.

The three-hour exception in Section 821.078(3) says that even these
meager restrictions don’t apply for up to three hours while the owner
is
doing a “temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained”.
This
means that you may use an unsafe or short restraint even during extreme
weather conditions or between 10:00 and 6:00 in order to do some task
as
long as it doesn’t take longer than three hours. So, for example,
you
are allowed to chain your dog to a tree with a 2 foot chain and an
unsafe choke collar that causes injury to your dog when it is minus 10
degrees outside while you are repairing the dog’s fence…as long as
you
don’t take longer than three hours. (Absurd, I know).

Unfortunately the law does not put any limitations on how long you
may
chain up your dog. You may keep your dog tied to a tree 24/7 for his
entire life as long as the restraint does not “unreasonably limit”
his
movement” (which, again, means choke/pinch collars, unsafe or
injurious
collars, and restraints that are too short).

It goes without saying that this law will be extremely difficult to
enforce.

[flvegan]

17. The Texas cruelty statute states that the dog must have adequate

food, water and shelter. They could put him on a 10 foot chain for all I care, they're still not providing proper care per Texas law. I think that the City of Dallas (the OP's profile suggests Dallas) has stricter dog/cat rules, as well.

[stuntcat]

5. doggie vibes

I got nothing to add, I just wanna wish the dog well. You rock for giving him water and treats and medicine! :loveya: I hope he'll go to a new home and be taken away from those people, they just should not have a pet.

[Omphaloskepsis]

6. Take a knife and cut the leash. Then find a home for the dog.

Fuck.. I threw a dog over a six foot fence to save it it from a negligent neighbor. And I hate dogs..

[VLC]

7. Here's a good resource: Dogs Deserve Better

This group's focus is just that - dogs kept on leashes.

htp://www.dogsdeservebetter.org

[Tyler Durden]

12. You mean dogs chained up, right?

I mean, we walk all 5 of our guys daily on a lease so they don't run into a street.

Corgis chase things; they can't help it. And Jack is Lab/Shep but he walks nice.

[flvegan]

15. DDB is an "anti-tethering" group.

They're against the continuous tethering (chaining, etc) of dogs outside. They're not anti-leash out on walks type of stuff, no.

[Tyler Durden]

18. Cool.

The Guys and Bridgette LOVE their walks. Vin will bring you his leash. Wish he'd learn to shut up on command! He is LOUD.

[VLC]

19. Yes, sorry!

[LeftyMom]

8. Looks like you already got some good advice.

Good luck and thanks for giving a shit, it's amazing how many people can't be bothered.

[redqueen]

14. It is... what's it called? Diffusion of responsibility or something?

Whatever it is... it's a poor reflection on most people.

[unpossibles]

16. good luck

call the authorities. I've done that and I've also rescued neglected/abused dogs & cats myself.

Be careful though too - I've had more than one jackass get violent because I did not care for the way they treat their alleged best friends.