I just don't understand people...

Darkmoon · 05-23-2008, 08:08 PM

This morning before work, I took Nubs on his normal 45min walk, when I come across this little Pomeranian wondering around this apartment complex. This is NOT the first time I've seen this dog, in fact its the 5th. This time though he had crossed a busy road and was wondering down the path that we walk on.

I tried to get him, but Nubs freaks out if I tie him to a tree, and I can't get close to the Pom with Nubs being so happy and wanting to play with him. Today though I thought for sure he was going to be road kill. As nubs and I got closer to him he walked calmly across the street again and then began to cross the street toward me again right into traffic. Luckily He knew "stay" and stayed.

Now here comes the problem... Obliviously this owner doesn't care enough about this dog to even brush the poor thing or keep it on leash (I have seen this pom out with its owner before), I can call up AC and have them pick it up and hope they don't put it down in 7 days then pick it up for my parents who have been searching for a Pom for 3 years now, or I can just "find" a stray and not look for its owner and know this Pom went to a great home that will take great care of it (but I also would feel highly guilty since if someone did that to me with Nubs I would never forgive myself)... I just really HATE our AC. Their shelter is really run down and the dogs end up pretty darn sick sadly. I've even seen this dog dropped off the owners balcony (the drop is only 3 ft) just so they didn't have to take to poor guy out. I just don't know what to do... *sighs*

workingdog · 05-23-2008, 08:15 PM

Give it to your parents. The poor thing deserves a better life. I would feel good about it not guilty, if it gos back to it's owners it will end up dead at some point. jmo

sheltiemom · 05-23-2008, 08:20 PM

Do you have the Pom with you now? Does he have tags? Do you know which apartment exactly he is in? If not, in all honesty, I would hold him for a few days, watch for any signs going up or anyone looking for a pom, if no one seems to be looking for him, I'd give him to your parents. I'd only call AC if they would let you get him out after the hold period....the AC here will not, even if you turn in a stray, it's considered an owner surrender and you can't get the dog back.

Darkmoon · 05-23-2008, 08:22 PM

No I wish that I could have grabed him, but with Nubs, I can't get near him.

Yes he has tags, Its a red heart wbut I haven't been able to see what it says....

Durbkat · 05-23-2008, 08:32 PM

How about you go out without nubs with some stinky treats or wet dog food and catch him and his tag will, some how, go missing and then if no one is looking for him then give him to your parents.

sheltiemom · 05-23-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkmoon

No I wish that I could have grabed him, but with Nubs, I can't get near him.

Yes he has tags, Its a red heart wbut I haven't been able to see what it says....

My dogs' red heart tags are this years rabies tags...I wonder if they're the same everywhere?

Darkmoon · 05-23-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

My dogs' red heart tags are this years rabies tags...I wonder if they're the same everywhere?

It's different each place. Carter had a square one and Nubs has a triangle. Both are from 2008...

JenTN · 05-23-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

My dogs' red heart tags are this years rabies tags...I wonder if they're the same everywhere?

My vet alternates- some are red hearts, Bo's is a blue bone

Twinney · 05-23-2008, 09:45 PM

Shunka's old one was a green bell and her new one is red heart...

I personally, agree with Durb... Thats what I would do... If he does show up missing, when you call the owners, ask if you can keep the dog...

Annamarie · 05-23-2008, 11:01 PM

call AC. if the owner wants it back they will have to pay to get it out. just taking the dog is stealing, even if the owner is not a great one.

melgrj7 · 05-23-2008, 11:01 PM

You should call animal control, have them pick him up. Then, since you are not surrendering him, you would be able to get him out if his owners don't come to get him. If they do come to get him, it may just be the hint that they need to start keeping him on a leash.

Mycathinks hesadog · 05-24-2008, 09:38 AM

Have you tried talking to the owners to see if they genuinely want the dog? If they don't maybe offer up a few bucks to take it off thier hands? If they do, give em a good horror story about how their dog almost ended up as roadkill, to maybe get 'em on the straight and narrow...

Bextastic · 05-24-2008, 10:05 AM

Bex's rabies tag this year is a red heart too. Most of the ones I've seen are.

I'd say you have to choose pretty solidly between asking if they don't want it and just taking it - if you express interested and they say they want it, then awhile later its loose and you take it they might come after you and charge you with stealing it. If you're going to take it you don't want them knowing it was pre-meditated, they can't charge you with anything if you really just picked up a lost dog in danger of being hit by a car. On the other hand if they really don't want it maybe you could get it by less sneaky means. Maybe have someone you know ask them for you so you're not necessarily connected to the inquiry?

Summergirl =) · 05-24-2008, 11:25 AM

That is horrible. To me, it sounds like these jerks don't want the dog but honestly don't know what to do with it. If I were you, I would go on a walk alone and pick up the Pom if you saw him. Then, go to the owners and talk to them about the dog, and if they end up not wanting it, keep it and give it to your parents. If they DO still want the dog, tell them if you catch it wandering any more you are either taking the dog or calling AC. No need to feel guilty; these people should feel guilty for treating their dog like this. Also, tell the owners throwing the dog off the balcony is NOT a way to treat the poor thing. But then again, if I were you and was feeling extra mad, I would take the dog on the street again and bring it to your house. If people go searching, tell them the situation, etc. Good luck

Dakota Spirit · 05-24-2008, 11:55 AM

I'd say you need to either call the AC or talk with the owners directly.

I've never been ok with how often I see the suggestion of 'taking the dog' come from smart dog people. I understand this dog gets out and appears to be in less then ideal shape but that does not give you a free pass to go ahead and walk off with him. Not only that, but unless its a case of obvious abuse - I am not putting anyone though the ordeal of wondering where their pet has gone. You cannot infer how these people would react or fee and you cannot assume that simply don't care about the dog. Just makes me mad is all...This isn't the society we live in. You don't get to take dogs because you don't agree with the care they are receiving (baring any extreme cases). If there is a problem take it up with AC - that's why they're there.

Pax · 05-24-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mycathinks hesadog

Have you tried talking to the owners to see if they genuinely want the dog? If they don't maybe offer up a few bucks to take it off thier hands? If they do, give em a good horror story about how their dog almost ended up as roadkill, to maybe get 'em on the straight and narrow...

This sounds like a pretty sensible course of action to me.

redinque · 05-24-2008, 01:06 PM

Yes, I think you should talk to the owners first and not just take the dog. When I was a kid, our dog escaped all the time through our gate when my parents came home, but she always found her way back. My parents were not the kind of dog owners like the people on the forum (regular walks, let the dog come inside the house), but I know that for myself, I loved that dog and if one day she had just disappeared, I would have been devastated. Perhaps if my parents had someone talk to them, they may have tried different methods/care.

Darkmoon · 05-24-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redinque

Yes, I think you should talk to the owners first and not just take the dog. When I was a kid, our dog escaped all the time through our gate when my parents came home, but she always found her way back. My parents were not the kind of dog owners like the people on the forum (regular walks, let the dog come inside the house), but I know that for myself, I loved that dog and if one day she had just disappeared, I would have been devastated. Perhaps if my parents had someone talk to them, they may have tried different methods/care.

This dog isn't escaping, they are letting it run free. I still don't know what I'll do though. I do know if I can catch the poor guy He will be coming home with me. From there depends on a lot of things, we will see though.

mizkasey · 05-24-2008, 03:56 PM

I think you should let your parents have the pom. I mean, if I were you I really wouldn't want that pom to be treated like that...

ACampbell · 05-24-2008, 05:22 PM

Smokey got a green bell for his rabies tag this year, and Lily got the shot but no tag (the vet I go to doesn't issue them so that you have to take their immunization record to be licensed, pretty smart eh!) Or that's what they told me when I asked for the tag, they said I could get the license which is just as good and covers the rabies tag...sneaky but smart.

As for the Pom...if you can catch him I would take him home (to his home) and ask the owners about him...if they don't want him, give him to your parents.
If they do and let him roam again, call AC (do an anonymous call, say you were driving at XYZ and saw a dog in the road and you don't want it to get hit) then go pick the dog up at the pound...it's legal after the X amount of hours they have to claim their dog (usually it's like a 2 day hold before they can be adopted) - I know, kind of sneaky, but still, if the dog is back in the road after talking to the owners, he doesn't need to be there and that's a legal way to take ownership.