How to help neglected dogs

[ZenGrrrl]

I need info on neglect problems. Does anyone know if there are groups or organizations (other than the Human Society) that can help in some way if a dog is being neglected?

I live next door to an owner who keeps her dog penned up indoors for 12-14 hours a day, and it's really upsetting me. I have talked with her and while she was cordial to my offer to visit her dog, she only said "I'll think about it." What can I do?

[eeeefarm]

@ZenGrrrl:

What can I do?

Probably not much. If the animal is being fed and sheltered, it is hard to get anything done about "emotional neglect". A large number of people go off to work every day and leave their animals crated or otherwise confined. Unless there is something more here, I doubt any complaint would be taken seriously.

[agilebasenji]

@eeeefarm:

Probably not much. If the animal is being fed and sheltered, it is hard to get anything done about "emotional neglect". A large number of people go off to work every day and leave their animals crated or otherwise confined. Unless there is something more here, I doubt any complaint would be taken seriously.

Agreed. my only idea would be to offer to buy the dog or rehome it. Of course there's nothing to prevent them from getting another one. Sad.

[ZenGrrrl]

Thanks, eeeefarm and agilebasenji. I do want a reality check ("am I overreacting to the situation?"), and your comments help. I know the young woman is so attached to the dog that she would never rehome it – exactly what I had to do many years ago with my first Basenji. I was never home, and I couldn't stand the thought of her living out her days as a hostage.

I'm checking with the ALDF for suggestions, and I'm thinking of creating a website where people can report cases like this.

[agilebasenji]

Could you suggest a training class? that would at least get them out and have some nice bonding time. Or offer to go the the class with her - you with your dog, her with hers? ("hey, i found this class, but don't want to go by myself, yadda, yadda, yadda")

[DebraDownSouth]

Dogs sleep up to 18 hrs a day, so I am not sure that home alone constitutes even neglect if she takes care of the dog, gives it love and attention when she is home. By "penned up" do you mean crated? If so, perhaps convince her of a dog proofed room or larger pen so the dog can move around. Certainly toys. I agree it is far from ideal to be gone that many hours, but considering dogs left out in heat/cold/horrible weather their entire lives, one safe in a house isn't abuse to me. I wouldn't place a dog with that kind of life, but I also know it is still probably better than 80 percent of US dogs have it if not even.. sadly.. more.

[ownedbyspencer]

I know how you feel. It's horrible to live close to animal neglect. My new next-door neighbors leave their two dogs out 24/7– heat, rain, snow, lightning storm. They have a big fenced yard, but almost no shade. Of course, the dogs bark non-stop. There's no talking to people like that-- I've already been told to mind my own business. Maybe your neighbor will take you up on your offer... but probably not. It's sad.