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I'm sitting here at work, in the main library on campus. I went out to get my lunch from my car. About six cars down, there's a car with a partially open window and a little beagle puppy howling his poor puppy head off. It's been a half hour since I went on break, and the car (and presumably the puppy) is still out there. Now, if it were summer, I'd already be on the phone with the police, because the dog's life would be in danger. I don't feel like I can call anyone now, because it's cool enough that the dog should be safe from both overheating and freezing.
That doesn't make it right, though. The window is open wide enough for the dog to jump out. Also, the dog is obviously in a great deal of distress, and shouldn't have been left alone in the car while his thoughtless, stupid, idiot owner makes use of the library for who knows how long. I swear, they should make people take competency tests before allowing them to have dogs.
I have a spare leash in my car (for strays). I'm halfway tempted to go out there and rescue the poor little guy...though I think that might actually not be legal.
posted
Poor dog. I wonder why her owner put her in the car rather than leaving her at home? Seems like there must be more than meets the eye here.
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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I hope there is, Storm, but I don't know if I have enough faith in humanity to believe it.
I have known a lot of people who take their dogs with them everywhere...which is fine, if it doesn't require abandoning them in a car for hours at a time. If the dog is not bothered by the traveling, then sure, why not? But THIS dog was howling, and obviously upset and confused.
People don't understand that dogs are pack animals and that being left alone in a strange place is not a good experience for them at all. They don't understand that you're going to come back.
I'm just glad it's cool enough out that the dog isn't in any physical danger. Like I said, if it were summer, I'd have called the police/humane society an hour ago.
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Does your library have a PA? Can you gain access to it? Would you be fired for making an announcement advising that if the owner of the puppy doesn't take care of it in the next five minutes, the pound will be called?
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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Well, my supervisor let me go back out and take a look...the car and the puppy are gone, so that's good, at least.
Noemon, unfortunately, the library itself was closed (I work in the computer lab in the bottom floor), and we don't have access to a PA. The library workers might, but they weren't here.
I'm always torn in those sorts of situations, particularly if the dog's life isn't in danger. I feel terribly angry and indignant at people's treatment of their dogs, but I also feel like it's probably not really my place to judge...
Oh, well, the dog is gone now, and there's nothing more I can do...hopefully, Storm is right, and there's something else to this that I didn't see, and the owner is really a careful, conscientious person who just got held up or something.
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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My own opinion is that, if you can't take the dog in where you are going, you shouldn't take the dog for the ride.
Last summer, I was eating lunch in a restaurant on a very hot day. Restaurant small, but pretty crowded. A couple drove up, and left a dog in their vehicle while they came in to eat. With the windows up. People (including me) made some fairly loud comments about "that poor dog." Call it passive-aggressiveness, but we were trying to get something done without some big confrontation and major drama. The dog's people tried pointedly to ignore the comments. That is, until words like "liberate the dog" and "call the cops" started being bandied about. In other words, the passive-aggressiveness of the other diners began to lean more toward the aggressive than the passive. Then the woman, obviously extremely ticked off, got up and went out and got the dog out of the vehicle and gave it some water. By then,, the dog was in obvious distress.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:My own opinion is that, if you can't take the dog in where you are going, you shouldn't take the dog for the ride.
I actually completely agree with you. In the restaurant situation you described, I don't think I'd be able restrain myself; I would've said something to the couple.
I've called the humane society on a number of people...a guy who left his dog in a crate on his patio all day in an apartment complex that I lived in...a woman who let her boxer run around the neighborhood (through which there was a highly traveled road, that the boxer continually ran across)...I just don't have any patience for people who mistreat animals. It may make me an awful person, but I tend to value canine (and feline) people much higher than a lot of the human people I meet. Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Megan, I am the same way. It really upsets me when people don't treat their animals right, and I take action without apology. If the people didn't want to be embarrassed and inconvenienced that way, then they could always have just treated their animals well. If ever there's a mistake of some kind I will be as apologetic as you like AFTER the animal is taken care of. If someone saw one of my animals in some distress due to my mistake or oversight, I would be more than delighted if they helped it, so long as they did it responsibly and without causing any risk to the animal.
Legally, an animal is property, so that I suppose it's legally stealing to take one out of someone's car, but I wouldn't worry about being arrested for theft or anything. If you are very up front about what you are doing and make no attempt to sneak or lie, but just say, "I must see to it that that dog is okay" then I can't imagine anyone actually prosecuting, you know?
I think in the puppy's case I might have just stayed with it and soothed it and talked to it (if that would make it feel better) until the owner returned. Then when the owner got back you could tell them (in a friendly way would be best) that you were worried about the puppy because it was in such distress. Talk to them about the puppy, showing interest in it, and asking if they often need to leave it in the car. This would 1) show them an example of how they SHOULD be thinking of their dog, and the consideration they should show for it, particularly if you had to wait for an hour or something and 2) might make them think twice about doing that again.
Like I said, there is NO need to apologize for being this way. You are NOT a terrible person. There are plenty of people who think animal's lives and suffering are of no importance at all, not worth making any sort of stir over, or embarrassing anyone, but they are wrong.
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2003
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For example, one of the neighbors had a very young kitten that they let roam outside behind my mother's house. I spent a lot of time with that kitten, looking after it and making sure it was okay. I think I know which neighbor it belonged to, though we never discussed the cat. Kittens should not be let outside by themselves until they are at least six months old, meaning fully grown in size. They aren't safe AT ALL. The truth is that no cat is safe outside. I keep all mine in. But a little six week old kitten who is newly weaned is VERY much too young. I would bet the attrition rate would be over 50% on those, if they don't have their mother to look after them.
So I took her. I was living somewhere else at the time so there was no worry about the neighbor realizing what we had done. Obviously she didn't care much about the cat. What would be more likely than for the poor tiny thing to disappear and never be seen again? Well, that's what happened, only unbeknownst to the neighbor, this story had a happy ending. She's my cat Mouse, and she's 13 years old now, and very healthy and happy and affectionate. Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2003
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The last dog I had absolutely loved to ride in the car. When I went anywhere she would beg to come along. If there was a car in the driveway when she went outside she would run to it and try to nose open the door to get in. Occasionally when I was running errands I would let her come along if 1) the weather was such that she wouldn’t be in any danger in the car and 2) none of the errands would required me being away from the car for very long. But I didn’t do it very often, because whenever I got out of the car she would bark like a maniac. Then when I came back she’d be happy and excited and enjoy the ride to the next stop, where she’d bark again.
She didn’t bark all that loudly, but it sounded just pitiful –as if her heart were breaking. I’m sure that people who heard her thought I was a monstrous pet owner, and I’d swear that I was going to leave her home the next time, but I’m a sucker for a cute dog. If I didn’t have the heart to stop her from licking my ice cream cone, I sure wasn’t going to be able to resist her begging to go along to the post office.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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We're the caretakers of our pets and our responsibility to keep them safe.
I would've done the same with that puppy--stayed till the person showed up. I can't stand to hear them cry. Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I guess I will speak for dog haters everywhere. So what, its just a dog. Some people eat them for lunch. My anger comes from the fact the mutt is yelping and crying and barking in the first place. "Shut up already you stupid animal" would have been my reaction. Personally, I think it should be illegal to own them unless you have a reason for them such as hunting or liscensed for guarding.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Personally, I think it should be illegal to own them unless you have a reason for them such as hunting or liscensed for guarding. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hem Hem! *has two brothers who are profesional dog mushers, family owns over 100 dogs, and has used only used dogs for hunting when they were pulling the sled* A little noteriety, please Posts: 1103 | Registered: Apr 2002
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People who are animal people and people who aren't animal people never seem to be able to agree about things that seem very important to both.
I had family members and coworkers tell me I was crazy for spending so much effort and money on my cat Drive By when she was a stray kitten I found on the side of the highway that someone had just hit with a car. She was flopping around in and out of the lane of traffic and would have lasted only a few more seconds had I not stopped and rescued her. She had a concussion and axilary nerve damage, and was bleeding from her nose at first, then while she was trying to recover from all that, she came down with a bad virus. (Dr. George explained that the injury weakened her to the point that she couldn't fight off stuff she was previously exposed to.) For a while we didn't know if she was going to make it. I spent quite a lot of money on her vet bills nursing her back to health. Many people said I was nuts. It was just a stray kitten. Why bother?
I was glad at the time for Maggie Dix, and for Dr. George, who supported me totally. Dr. George wouldn't let me pay but half the bill. He said the rest was taken care of by "Dr. George's orphaned kitten fund." I have never regretted that money or effort for an instant. Drive By is the most loving, wonderful cat. She's intelligent and affectionate and just an outstanding, phenomenal cat. I've been so blessed to have her ever since. She's enriched my life hugely. She eventually recovered completely and is all well now except for one crooked paw. She walks on the wrist of her front left paw, but it doesn't slow her down at all. She has a tendency to be a tiny bit clumsy, but other than that is completely able to do anything any other cat can do (except wash her left ear by herself).
I'm so glad I didn't listen to those naysayers. I've found in my long life that there are always, always naysayers to every good thing you try to accomplish. But there's a line in that one-hit-wonder song by 311 from a few years back that I just love and guide my life by. "**** the naysayers cause they don't mean a thing."
[ December 21, 2003, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: ana kata ]
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Thanks, ak. I've never had as dramatic a rescue story as yours, but every dog I've ever had has been a humane society dog. (I'd have cats too, but the hubby and I are both SERIOUSLY allergic).
dkw, I know what you mean about being a sucker for a cute puppy face...that's how my dogs end up with pieces of hamburger and other human foods, even though we try very very hard to limit the amount they get. I've got a beagle/border collie mix that just looks up at me with her big, intelligent brown eyes, and I pretty much give her what she wants (unless it's something that would make her seriously sick, like onions or chocolate).
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Kavon, just to clarify for you I am totally serious. I HATE dogs, and for the most part am either impartial to or dislike (less than hate) animals. And yes, I grew up with cats and am more of a cat lover than anything. Even had my own Parahnna<sp> fish for a while. Still, a pet is a pet and not a human. Do animals have feelings? Yes, I am sure of that and don't deny the fact. But, as I have said, they are still not human.
There are some animals, and dogs are one of them, that should not be allowed as purely pets. This doesn't have to do with people able to take care of them, its about the danger they pose (animal lovers and pet owners never recognize the danger). I wonder if anyone knows how many people are bit by dogs a year, much less the bothersome barking night after night. The least that could be required is training them.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Occasional, I agree that training is ABSOLUTELY necessary...but I think my dogs are better trained than many people's children. I would infinitely prefer to hear a barking dog than a whining child...and dogs don't ride their bikes across my lawn repeatedly, or play excruciatingly loud bass in their cars when riding through the neighborhood at 2 AM.
It seems to me that most dogs are much less dangerous than most humans. The vast majority of dogs won't react with spite or malice, the way that humans do. Situations in which dogs bite usually involve a) dogs that are not trained well (or trained to be agressive--as in for guarding, which you mentioned in your first post) or b) humans that are acting like idiots and doing cruel things (like a group of teens I saw throwing cans at a stray dog...that was one of those times when it's a darn good thing I don't own guns!)
More than that, my dogs are my companions and friends. They require my care, but to me they are family, with needs and personalities to be considered. I trust them more than I do most humans, since most humans tend to be self-centered at best and malicious at worst (and I include myself--I wish I could be the kind of person that my dog is!)
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Boon
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posted
Okay, this isn't a pet story, but I'm gonna tell it here anyway.
I was in the grocery store once, and when I came out, there was a car parked right next to mine. Inside the car was 4 year old girl and a little baby not more than 4 or 5 months old. Both children were crying: the baby screaming lustily and the little girl sitting in her seat with tears streaming down her face. Both children were filthy.
I didn't recognize either the children or the car (small town), so wasn't sure whether to get personally involved or just call the cops. I knew I couldn't just leave, though.
So, I called the police, then decided to try to help the kids. I got the girl's attention, told her my name, and asked for hers. She said her daddy was in the store and that her baby brother was already crying when he went in.
By then I could smell why the baby was crying, so I asked the girl if there were any diapers in the car. She was very helpful, and found me some wipes too.
Poor little guy had a diaper rash so bad it bled when I wiped the feces off his little tushy. I let him air out a bit before I put the clean diaper back on him, and stood there holding him and talking with the girl until the police showed up.
By the time the police got there, 15 minutes had passed since I came out of the store. I spent a few minutes talking to the officers before handing over the children. THIRTY-FIVE minutes after I came out, the father comes out of the store.
What was so important? Milk? Formula? NO! He comes out with a case of cheap beer. That's it! That's all he bought!!
I didn't feel bad at all that the police took him to jail and sent his kids to a foster home, even though he recognized me and harassed me at home for months afterward. Eventually, I had to get a restraining order and send him to jail a few more times, but it was worth it. He never got the kids back.
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btw, people who let their dogs bark all night are rude and inconsiderate and probably don't deserve to have a dog anyway. I have no problem with someone calling and complaining to the local police about such a situation. Though I would complain to your neighbors in person first.
Dogs still behave better than their owners in most cases. You can tell a lot about an owner (even if you've never met them) by their dog. I recently rescued a purbred Cardigan Corgi from a shelter. This dog clearly was well taken care of (too well taken care of... he was fat), and well mannered. However he bossed his owner around. Once it was established that I the human was dominant to him as the dog, he was extremely polite and respectful. (The way that I established this dominance was simply to put my head on his neck and hold him in a lying down position for a few minutes.) That was all it took, someone speaking his language.
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My anger comes from the fact the mutt is yelping and crying and barking in the first place. "Shut up already you stupid animal" would have been my reaction. Personally, I think it should be illegal to own them unless you have a reason for them such as hunting or liscensed for guarding.
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