I took all of the dogs out for a ride tonight and when we were on our way home, I came up on a dog standing in the middle of a busy street in one of the "bad areas" of town. I've seen the dog chained out in front of a house many times, so knew where to take him. No one was home, so I had to clip that *^%$()$R# chain to his collar, out in the rain, no shelter, no food or water. The chain was wrapped around the stake and a bunch of sticks, which had left him about 5 inches to move. I untangled it first. No tags on the collar, in case he got lost. I was thinking as I was chaining him back up that he might fare better at a shelter, even though he appears to be a Pit/Mastiff mix. I left a polite note (almost as hard as clipping that chain back on him) on the front door of the house, explaining where I had found him. I like dogs a lot more than people.

That would have been a tough one for me too ... Im not sure I would have been able to leave it there.

Some ppl really suck!

Thats sad! But I know exactly how you feel. Theres this little black dog that walks around the whole neighborhood here without a care in the world, sometimes he's in the middle of the road. Another thing is that we are only like 5 yards away from the interstate...all that separates us from it is a chainlinked fence!

oh how sad!
poor dogs

I called animal control about what had happened. They said they knew of the dog and had already warned the owner once. For the past two days, the dog has not been chained outside. I don't know where he is. I'm going to the shelter today to see if he's there. Baloo is finally done with his vaccines, so I could foster the dog if it's at the shelter.

Ann wrote:

I called animal control about what had happened. They said they knew of the dog and had already warned the owner once. For the past two days, the dog has not been chained outside. I don't know where he is. I'm going to the shelter today to see if he's there. Baloo is finally done with his vaccines, so I could foster the dog if it's at the shelter.

Thats really kind of you, let us know if you find him. I do hope that the owner had a change of heart and is now keeping the dog inside...but that might just be wishful thinking.

He wasn't at the shelter. I don't know where he is. I haven't seen him for 4 days now and I don't know that they ever took him in the house. He was always outside, and I drove by there 4 times every day.

Ann wrote:

He wasn't at the shelter. I don't know where he is. I haven't seen him for 4 days now and I don't know that they ever took him in the house. He was always outside, and I drove by there 4 times every day.

Oh....hope he's ok.

Steven_L wrote:

Ann wrote:

He wasn't at the shelter. I don't know where he is. I haven't seen him for 4 days now and I don't know that they ever took him in the house. He was always outside, and I drove by there 4 times every day.

Oh....hope he's ok.

I hope so too .....

I saw the dog outside on the chain last week and again on Monday. Stopped and had a decent conversation with the owner, who has only had the dog since Jan and doesn't really know what to do with a big destructive dog. I've taken Baloo and Grizz and we've walked with them the past 3 days, and he went to observe Baloo's pup class last night. The guy is soaking in everything he hears and sees. He means well....just had no clue and very little money. I'm going to hook him up with my regular trainer. The dog is spending more time in the house and is less destructive because he's getting more exercise. The owner also may a sort of lean-to against the house for shelter and is leaving water out for him when he's chained. It's such a relief to find someone like this who actually cares but just didn't know what to do.

VERY COOL ... It is great to hear that the dog is doing better. Thanks for going the "extra mile" for the dog!!!

Indeed! I sure hope that with time he starts becoming a more responsible owner. Sure seems like he's heading in the right direction.

So the time you didn't see the dog, did that mean he was inside the whole time?

The guy says he keeps the dog in the house sometimes, other times in the garage, but it's all getting better now that the dog is getting some exercise.

Ann wrote:

The guy says he keeps the dog in the house sometimes, other times in the garage, but it's all getting better now that the dog is getting some exercise.

Good news ... for sure!!!

A little exercise can sure go a long way!

The dog (Tank) is doing much better and is to start obedience training next week. The owner needs the training much more than the dog, but he's really trying. I'm really happy about the training. Not meaning to whine, but I was trying to get Baloo through his socialization class (finished Wed night) and work a 40+ hour a week job and take care of two other dogs and an ancient handicapped cat, keep up with housework and spend quality time with two grandchildren.
We're going to do another walk together today. He has my phone number. I'm going to focus on my own dogs for awhile!

Ann wrote:

The dog (Tank) is doing much better and is to start obedience training next week. The owner needs the training much more than the dog, but he's really trying. I'm really happy about the training. Not meaning to whine, but I was trying to get Baloo through his socialization class (finished Wed night) and work a 40+ hour a week job and take care of two other dogs and an ancient handicapped cat, keep up with housework and spend quality time with two grandchildren.
We're going to do another walk together today. He has my phone number. I'm going to focus on my own dogs for awhile!

Wow talk about a 180 degree turn! From letting a dog run loose to doing Obedience training! Is he going to a class and all or are you teaching him?

Lol looks like someone is going to be busy though!

The trainer is a friend, although we're both too busy to spend any time together anymore. She's put him in a $150 training class for $20 because that's truly about all he can afford.
And he seems serious. When I've shown him things he needs to work on, you can tell the next day that he really did go home with his dog and work on them.
I might have offered more help to him but I'm feeling selfish. I want to enjoy my own pup and two older dogs that may not be here next Spring.