rant! owners up and left puppy when they moved

[wyattabby]

we had this family living of foreigners living in our complex. they have the sweetest little chihuahua(sp?) puppy who is maybe 6 months old. anyways, they up and moved out in the middle of the month 2 days ago and left their dog. they hardly speak english and asked a neighbor of ours if he could get them 200.00 for the dog because they moved to where they can't have pets. he told them no but offered to let them keep the dog with him until they figure out what they are going to do. As soon as I heard this we contacted two friends of ours who have both recently had to put down their dogs and know they'd give it a good home. today being the second day, I told the guy who offered to let them keep the dog on his porch in it's crate (that's where they normally keep the dog, he never goes inside and is allowed to run free when they are home) that if they hadn't come to get him by the time I got home from work I am taking the dog and giving it a good home.

am i doing the right thing here? what would you suggest? he really is a good pup, never barks or anything except when playing. if i had the room we'd take him in but we don't.

[seraphicia]

That poor, poor puppy. If it were me, I'd bring him home until it was straightened out,maybe have your friends if they are willing to have him, make a smaller offer to the people. The money'd be worth it. I'd say even though they don't care enough, and there's a language barrier, that it isn't right to just up and take the dog right away, although it may be in his best interest but I'd myself keep him a few days, if you can't get a strait answer out of them, then take him for only two or three days(even just a bigger penned area or somethings would be better than where he is now), and if they do show interest later, take it up with your landlord or something, or offer them a little money. After a certain amount of time, property left there become abandoned in some places, is that the case where you are?

[wyattabby]

well apparently the neighbor who is keeping him suggested they take him up to petsmart and try to sell him that way. they are not going to get anywhere near what they are asking but it just irks me that they could care less about the dog ya know? oh and get this..when asked what they fed the little guy, they replied "american food" they've been feeding him bologna and salami. we have been keeping a bowl of food and water out for him for about a month now though but he hasn't touched the food.

[seraphicia]

How frustrating for you :(

[wyattabby]

well i talked to the guy again lastnight because I saw the pup still on his porch. he basically gives me a story trying to put it off. i told him i had a good home lined up but if he wasn't going to allow that then I would call animal control because i'm not going to let the dog sit out in 102 degree weather all day. he says to me "oh it's under the stairs and it's probably 70 degrees under there"..yes, he's a moron. so anyway he begins to say that "you must really want that dog"..i told him i do not have room for another dog but I just don't want the dog to die. he then tells me if i call animal control he will just bring the dog inside...i told him good! at least that's a start. so i called animal control and they told me they couldn't make it out lastnight but to call first thing this morning which I plan to here shortly. anyways, sorry to babble..

*edit - personally we think he wants to sell the dog

[GSP4619]

You can call the SPCA and report the guy. It's to dam hot for that dog to be stuck in a plastic crate all day. I would tell him your going to turn him in for crulity that should get him to decide soemthing.

[wyattabby]

It's a metal crate but still..way too hot. I just got off the phone with animal control and they are going to send an officer out to talk to the guy. they said they will notify him that if the dog isn't licensed he has so many days to comply or he will be cited. that should at least get the ball rolling. the officer will be calling me once he leaves and updating me so i will pass the info on.

[GSP4619]

Hope that works :)

[chi_lover]

Whats the story? what has happened to the poor dog???

[wyattabby]

well the spca never called me back so i called them and the dispatcher read me the report. basically they showed up, the guy wasn't home but they left him a nasty msg. he had brought the dog inside but he called them back and told them that if the owners hadn't returned for the dog in two days he would personally take it to the shelter. he and i aren't on speaknig terms after this so i am not sure where the dog is. i have been checking the animal shelter's website and as of friday his picture was not on there.

[wyattabby]

well i saw the little dog today with the kids of the old owner so i'm assuming they figured out a way to keep the little guy after all

[Rio&Nickysmommy]

Glad to hear the dog has his home again. I really get peaved when people just think a change in their life means they are no longer responsible for a pet and try to unload them. A pet is a responsibility no matter what in my eyes. I understand severe illness and as people get old maybe they can no longer care for a pet. In my opionion - moving is not a reason to unload a pet. People wouldnt unload a child like that. Oh then again I guess their are creeps in this world that do that too. If I could not take my pet somewhere first off I wouldnt go. But if the unthinkable did happen and I just couldnt - I wuld work my tail off to find the best home for them not just any home. I get outraged when people can not care for their pet and because they are a certain breed or they paid something for them- they want to sell the pet they are dumping. Unbelievable trying to make a profit off of something they really never cared to much for in the first place. Others may disagree but that my thoughts. Sorry this is a sore subject to me. I think everything and everyone needs to know that their home is home and their family is family. One of the first words a new pet owner should think of is that this is a forever responsibility.
Rio&Nickysmommy

[wyattabby]

well put..and I agree 100%.

[GSP4619]

Glad to hear that. Seems like it will be ok.