Argh, idiot dog owners!

[fluffypuppylover]

This made me so mad, I needed to vent.

In June 2005, a little male rat terrier was running loose around the neighborhood. It bit several children, attacked a cat, and harassed people. I managed to lure it into a carrier and catch it. I went door to door asking people whose dog it was.

Lets call my neighbors John and Sue. I approached John and Sue, dog carrier in hand. I knocked, explained how this dog had been attacking people all over the neighborhood, held up the carrier and asked if it was theirs. They said No.

So, I put up fliers for the dog, leaving the number of a local rescue, and dropped the dog at that rescue, informing them of the fliers, what the dog had done, etc. According to them, not one person called. After three weeks, they managed to rehome it.

Yesterday, John, Sue and their child approach me yesterday and inquire about the dog. The convo went like this;

J&S: So..what ever happened to that little dog?
Me: No one claimed him so he was rehomed
J&S: To who?
Me: I'm not sure, I took him to (insert rescue name here)
J&S: Can we have their number?
Me: ..Okay.. (gives it to them) Did you want to adopt him? .....He had some behavioral issues and didn't like children
J&S: I know he was bad with kids, that's why he was outside. But our son wants him back now.
Me: He's yours?
J&S: Yep. We'll have to give this place a call and get him back
Me: He was rehomed months ago...Why didn't you say he was yours back then? I asked you right out and there were fliers everywhere..including one in your mailbox
J&S:Well who wants a dog that bites? He probably calmed down now, learned his lesson and such.
Me: I doubt they'll give him back to you now..its been months!
J&S: He's ours! They have to! That's theft! We can call the **** cops.
Me:Give them a call and see what they say..but really you should have spoken up back then. And not let the dog run all over..
J&S: Its not our fault! Our son never filled the holes it dug.

They left after that. Thing is, their son is 4 years old. I would not think you can hold him accountable for not filling in some holes in the backyard. Their fence is a picket one too, the dog easily could have squeezed through, holes or not.

How can you deny owning a dog and then want it back months later? The only thing I can think of is that they did not want to be held accountable for the dogs attacks. Beyond that, the dog was not even taken care of properly. It was too small, clearly a BYB puppy, it had fleas, mange, was underweight, overly aggressive, not neutered, and was just plain unhealthy. I'm fairly certain they left it in the yard all day and night and probably never paid attention to it. I really hope the shelter gives them an earful and possibly some hefty fines. They probably don't even have any "proof" they own it beyond the papers from the BYB, assuming they did get it from one and they got papers on it.

Our neighborhood is full of idiots like these. Lately, all I see are aggressive, unfixed, loose dogs running around snarling, chasing, and biting. Playing in your yard is a danger, walking your own dog is ever worse. So far the only dogs Abbie and I have run into on our walks are small ones, they usually run when you stamp your foot and yell. But i'm terrified of what would happen if we ran into a large one that wanted to fight. And since no one ever lays claim to these dogs or puts collars on them, its hard to get Animal Control involved beyond having them capture the dog. No one ever gets fined or spoken to. There's so much breeding going on as well, our shelters are full, and mostly all of the same few breeds, pits, rotties, labs, and an array of toy dogs. Its so sad and I wish I could do something besides call Animal Control when I see the dogs running loose, but these people don't care about dogs and seem to deny ever owning them. Then when they're dog gets taken, they just contact their BYB friends and get a new one! If I see a new dog in John and Sue's yard, I'm definetly going to be calling Animal Control or the Humane Society on them.

[Tiffany0204]

ha. Let them call the cops. They had the option to take the dog back and said it was theirs. The RESPONSIBLE thing would have understood that their dog needed a little disacpline and enrolled it into Puppy Classes/Obedience School.

Instead they leave the poor thing to the shelter in hopes that *someone else* will train it? Man, that grinds my gears. And to top it off, they think that a 4 year old should be accountable for filling the holes? Hello? Who's the parent here? Them or the 4 year old?

I hope they don't get another dog, but sounds like they'll just get another one.

[TribalRats]

OMGOSH! I am just stunned by the ignorance of people. I am SO glad this dog found another home. RT's really do need allot of socialization ,they are Terriers through and through left unsocialized they become skiddish and or aggressive.
Glad you were able to capture him, he is onto a better life now....

[Jamila]

Kudos to you fluffypuppylover for standing up to them. I wish people like that would learn or maybe not exist at all. I sure hope they dont get another dog...

[brandysmama]

The title of this post says it perfectly. Yeah, if they want to call the cops, let them explain to them that they lied about being the owners of the dog in the first place. They essentially gave up any rights to him at that point.

Good for you for standing up for what's right.

[bigdoglover]

Idiots.

[Raised By Wolves]

[Cassiepeia]

There really should be a course and test you have to go through before you're allowed to own a dog.

These people are such morons. It's so sad. Thankfully you were able to give him a better life so much applause should go to you.

Cass.

[shandoggy1]

Perfect example of people who shouldn't have pets OR children!

[TribalRats]

Perfect example of people who shouldn't have pets OR children!

I second that!

[bigdoglover]

Can I 3rd it? Is there such a thing? LOL

[TribalRats]

I do believe you can.

[calgal]

They wont get this dog back. If they try they will be brought up on animal neglect charges. You can tell them that if they ever get in your face again. Boy am I glad nothing like that goes on in my neighborhood.

[Carrie]

Oh that's just awful. What complete, complete.....grrrrrr *%#**&$!!!! Now should I tell you what I really feel????

You done good girl....speaking your mind. Way to go!

[Shadowkins]

Good for you! That poor dog probably had a hell of a life before but you were his guardian angel and now he's happy.
Hugs to you for being such a caring person!