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When Steve Bailey of Atlanta, Georgia spotted a neighborhood dog tethered outside by a heavy chain, with no food or water in sight on a sweltering summer day, he did what many of us would do and tried to rescue the pup.
He unchained the dog and brought him home, gave him water, and called local animal control. It was the police that showed up instead.
Instead of being praised for his efforts to save the dog’s life, he was charged with theft and thrown in jail.
Bailey took photos of the scene before he rescued the dog – a white pit bull named Zeus. He told Atlanta’s Action News 2 that there were buckets near the dog, but they were broken and chewed up, not capable of holding any water.
“I never intended to remove someone’s property. I was trying to assist an animal in distress,” he explained.
The dog’s owner, however, tells a different story. Deanna Fulton, Zeus’ owner, says Bailey broke into her yard and stole her dog with the intention to sell him. She said her dogs are well cared for, are fed three times a day, and always have water.
In Atlanta, it is illegal to tether a dog to a tree for any amount of time.
Fulton says she only chained him up for a few minutes while she ran errands.
Still, Atlanta police stand behind the arrest, saying Bailey had no right to enter Fulton’s property, even to save a dog’s life. Bailey has hired an attorney to fight the charges against him.
David N
Jun 2, 2014 at 2:55 pm
They should have been arrested, its just like the police walking into your home and taking you away without cause, he should have called the police. Arrest him, give them jail time and sue him! The owner needs to make sure that he cares for the dog like he does already.
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:09 pm
You are disgusting. Clearly you are an animal hater. I bet you are that evil woman’s boyfriend & the both of you fight dogs for fun. SICKO.
oAnne
Nov 2, 2013 at 2:02 pm
She’s a good liar, this man is a humanitarian and should be praised for his effort.. The woman should be watched and if dog is left chained out in hot weather again with out water she should be banned from owning any dogs again..
Sharon Baron
Oct 20, 2013 at 8:42 am
I lived in Atlanta many years ago. I tried to report a pet shop that was filthy, awful an sinful.
No one was interested in listening as they indicated it was not important.
I would hope that Atlanta and its surroundings have evolved into a better and more respectful place for animals, but I’m afraid that the ‘care less’ attitude still much remains.
And yes, the police department needs to be educated on animal abuse as a crime and look at both sides of the story.
Frank F Kling
Oct 19, 2013 at 6:30 am
Just look at the photos and it’s obvious that the dog is chained to the tree for much longer than “just a few minutes”. The grass is gone where the dog paces back and forth.
The cops are just as bad and sometimes worse than the criminals.
Teresa Taylor
Oct 17, 2013 at 6:55 am
This is a horrible situation for everyone involved. However, you are all missing the point that, in spite of his wonderful, nobel, heroic intentions, the gentleman unlawfully entered onto another person’s property and removed property from it without their consent and or knowledge. The police are not at fault and made a good, solid arrest. Instead of removing the dog, he should have called animal control from the outside of the property. Animal control would have treated that as an emergency, life threatening situation and immediately have sent a vehicle to confiscate the animal for its safety. They would also have taken photos of the crime scene to document the conditions to aid in the case against returning the animal to the owner. Now, a nice guy got arrested, a poor dog will go back to an unsafe environment and a person that has no business owning a flea, let alone a dog, gets the last laugh. Save your petition to get the charges dismissed. Start a collection to pay his legal fees. And let this be a lesson to all of you, be kind, be compassionate, stay within the scope of the law!
Lacey Sheridan
Oct 31, 2014 at 2:22 pm
I do not believe for one minute that animal control would have responded at once, if at all. Why was the dog chained outside in ninety degree heat? An owner who does that is no animal lover. The value of living things trumps property rights every time; to say he”had no right to enter the property EVEN TO SAVE THE DOG’S LIFE explains why Georgia remains unevolved in the eyes of other Americans. Why didn’t we LET the South secede???!!!!
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Teresa Taylor, what is horrible is you & the others who care more about following police code over the welfare of an animal. Gee, you’d have made a great Nazi!!!! Do you even fathom for one second how long it would have taken for police or the clearly useless animal control to go get that dog?????? He’d have been dead in the sun. You’ve heard of the human race? Well you’re part of the human DISGRACE. Let THIS be a lesson, honey – I’ll stay within the scope of MY law, my GOD’s law, and the HUMAN LAW. I only wish I could see you in horrible distress so I could stand by & slowly call 911 and see how long it takes them to come save YOU.
bonnie speed
Oct 15, 2013 at 8:58 am
i honestly think the charges should be drop! he did a great and heroic deed for that beautiful pitt. that dog was in hot weater with a chian wrapped around its neck with no food or water or even shade! would you like to be that dog? honestly i dont care if it was for a hour or just a second no one not even a animal deserves to be in that poor condition. soo they should drop all charges and charge that women for animal crulty!!!
judy graham
Oct 6, 2013 at 10:17 am
Let’s see ….. SHE broke the law by chaining her dog and HE gets arrested??
Im26e4u2c
Oct 3, 2013 at 11:24 am
Ya’ right, feeding 3 times a day, with no water available…what a farce. This showed her creditability to me as the words were coming out of her ‘lying lips’. I would love to sign, btw “GREAT JOB & GOOD LUCK STEVE”!!!
guest2013
Sep 26, 2013 at 1:52 pm
How much you wanna bet she doesn’t want to be investigated for animal cruelty because she’s involved in other illegal activities that will come to light if she’s charged with animal cruelty.
The neighbor even has pictures to proof the condition that the dog was in and yet he was STILL arrested???? UNBELIEVABLE!
amy
Sep 24, 2013 at 9:40 am
A dog is not “well cared for” when you chain it to a tree! Tie her to a tree with no water or food, and then see if she takes this man to court!
Lola
Sep 17, 2013 at 7:22 am
I would have done the same. The owner should be charged.
Dion
Sep 16, 2013 at 9:48 am
The act of taking what is not yours is called theft. Since the neighbor took the dog to his home, that would be called theft.
The correct action would have been to call the local animal control office and report the cruelty. Most states have laws regarding this and the owner would have been charged.
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:11 pm
The act of saying disgusting things is called “inhumane”. Why don’t you try a little experiment, you little brain dead thing: Call animal control saying there’s an animal tied up in the hot sun dying. Then clock how long it takes for the good old do-nothing boys to show up. I’ll check back in a year, I’m sure you’ll still be waiting. You are a horrible excuse for a human, how can anyone just leave an animal to die a terrible death???
kt
Sep 12, 2013 at 10:09 am
Are there not good Samaritan laws that require citizens to render aid when they see someone in need? I see no reason why it shouldn’t apply to captive animals that are being neglected or abused. He did the right thing under those circumstances.
Dansmom
Sep 10, 2013 at 9:00 am
So, the guy who rescued the 3 girls from Ariel Castro should be charged with trespassing. You know, because even though he was rescuing the girls, he had no business trespassing? Sorry cop, your argument doesn’t hold water. This guy called animal control, he had no ill intentions, he was rescuing a poor helpless animal.
d
Sep 9, 2013 at 9:53 am
The dog owner was not ticketed or arrested? This whole thing smells of dirty pitt bull fight involvement. Those cops need to be focused on and so does the attorney. Who would honestly look at those conditions and think “oh happy family pet”? I call bullshit as well.
Ellie
Sep 8, 2013 at 8:29 pm
This is why people don’t like to get involved any more. Unfortunately, this man with a heart & compassion TRIED to help the dog & he gets all the BS and now it’s costing him money to defend himself for helping this dog. I don’t understand why the Police didn’t give the woman a fine for tying the dog to a tree even though she says it was only for a few mins. The law is the law so fine her and let this innocent man go with all charges dropped (this could cost him more than money ex:his job or future jobs when asked if he’s ever been arrested. God Bless you for helping this dog
Kimberly Gauthier
Sep 8, 2013 at 12:22 pm
I think they’re missing a key piece – intent – his intent was to help, not to steal. Double checked with the cop in my house and he agrees – the man called animal control so that shows that he had no intent to keep the dog or sell it.
On the surface this is theft, but it’s the job of the officers to look at the totality of the situation to find intent.
In our state, the deputies wouldn’t have taken it this far, the woman would have been charged for neglect, and there’s no way they would tie up the court system to prosecute a man who was obviously trying to help.
Eric
Sep 7, 2013 at 10:09 am
There is most likely two sides to this story. Some years ago I had a dog who liked to visit our neighbor and the neighbor enjoyed his visits. In the winter rather than flounder through the snow the dog would go to the road and travel down the plowed shoulder on his visits much like a pedestrian would. We had followed him or his tracks many times and had never once seen any evidence that he was not on the shoulder of the road. This however concerned an employee of our local Humane Society and after a couple of confrontations about the matter she picked him up one day (we believe from our driveway). She took him to the Humane Society and had the incident stopped then I’d have picked him up and things would’ve been fine. However, the Humane Society gave him all the “required” shots none of which he needed as he was current on all of them and when my wife arrived they would not give him to her the unless she paid for the shots and a day’s boarding. After we paid I went straight to animal control. They offered to arrest the woman if I wanted to press charges. I declined but did use that threat in several heated conversations with the Humane Society until finally receiving a refund.
Under Michigan law (I don’t know anything about Georgia law) a dog is property just like a TV or a car. Technically the woman who took our dog was committing a felony even if he was in the road. What she should have done was call animal control It was illegal for her to take the dog although animal control told me that had she called they would’ve allowed her to take him had he been “loose” provided that they had a way to contact her and retrieve the dog.
What this gentleman should’ve done was provide some water for the dog and then call animal control. He would not have needed to mention the trespass and most likely a wise animal control officer would not have asked. He could merely have expressed concern for the dogs well being and kept on eye on him until they arrived. Taking the dog was a mistake and possibly a felony although one would hope cooler heads will prevail and the whole thing gets dropped.
The same dog who was picked up by the Humane Society would not eat if I was not home despite having access to food (he would accept treats from the neighbor or UPS driver, he just wouldn’t eat his dog food) and as my job requires traveling four to five days without eating were not uncommon for him. In addition he rarely would drink during the day if no one was home despite having plenty of water so even if it was hot the dog in this story would most likely have been okay although it always best to make certain there’s plenty of water available.
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:14 pm
First, 90% of your dog story is not true. Second, you had a dog wandering alone, unchained – that’s a loose dog. Animal control is allowed to pick up loose dogs. But I’m sure your complete lack of brain power is why you don’t understand that. And your pure hatred for dog lovers is why you say something so ridiculous as “call animal control”. The dog was being ABUSED. Her dogs ARE STILL BEING ABUSED. But you don’t care. You call a cop, they don’t show, you shrug your useless shoulders & say “Oh well, that’s all I can do”. I cannot believe the heartlessness, ignorance & slavery to irrelevant laws I am seeing here. How sad that you all look at a code book & that’s how you live your pathetic lives.
Allie
Sep 7, 2013 at 9:59 am
Did anyone else notice the idiot owner had two of her “precious dogs” chained as she was talking to the reporter? The law states it is ILLEGAL to have them chained for any period of time EVER yet she has them chained on TV for all to see. That is not too bright!
oxides
Sep 7, 2013 at 8:42 am
sooo…if he intended to sell the dog, like the owner says, then why did he call the authorities?
Tammara
Sep 5, 2013 at 9:05 am
One thing I also noticed in the news video is that the dog is wearing a prong collar, a type of choke collar which is designed for short-term training purposes. Being tied to a heavy chain ensureds that those prongs are constantly digging into the dog’s neck.
While precise data is not yet complete, there are many documented cases of injuries to dogs caused by the use of choke/prong collars. These injuries include, but are not limited to, soft tissue damage, eye problems, strangulation (in some cases leading to death), tracheal/esophageal damage and neurological problems. Many vets have treated such injuries and are aware of resulting deaths.
As more research accumulates on the hazards of choke and prong collars and more data is compiled documenting the damage these types of collars can cause distinguished veterinarians world-wide are joining the discussion and are calling for professional dog trainers to commit to eliminating choke and prong collars from their training programs. Niki Tudge, founder and president of the PPG, states “training should be conducted in a manner that encourages animals to enjoy training and become more confident and well-adjusted pets.”
Respected veterinarian and thyroid expert, Dr. Jean Dodds, recommends against choke or prong collars “as they can easily injure the delicate butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that sits just below the larynx and in front of the trachea. These collars can also injure the salivary glands and salivary lymph nodes on the side of the face underneath both ears.”
chris
Sep 4, 2013 at 7:53 am
I looked up the law that the owner is supposed to have broken. The law is a county ordnance, which is a misdemeanor, probably class c but it was not clarified . Therefor its probably not an arrest-able offense, but Mr. Bailey entering a closed yard to take possession of the dog without the owners permission is theft if she files a complaint which is a state law, and also probably a class A or B misdemeanor which is an arrest-able offense. Which means that the officers taking the report have to file it as such which is also a state law and does not make the officers at fault. Mr. Baily should have instead continued to document the situation and called the direct line to animal control, his local SPCA branch, or his Sheriff office since they generally deal with county ordnances. If he had gotten either one of the three involved and they believed that the dog was in immediate danger than only they could have taken the dog. And no they would not have needed a warrant since the dog was in plain view and they were investigating a possible crime. And since Mr. Bailey did not wait for law enforcement to get there he took it upon himself to enter someone else’s property without there permission and therefore he was arrested for theft. Property is property, if you own the animal than it is considered tangible property, just like our car, clothes, TV’s and such. We all may disagree with that but that is the way the law is written.
That being said, the owner claiming that he took the dog to sell it can not be proven unless there is more to the story and it is not being reported. And the county attorney will probably decide to not take this to trial since Mr. Bailey can prove that he had in-fact called someone as did other people on his block. But if it does go to trial I don’t think a jury would find him guilty, nor do I think that he will have to do and community service. But I could be wrong and the jury might decide that a persons home, be It a house or yard is there castle and might decide to teach him a lesson. I hope that it doesn’t go that far.
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:16 pm
CONTINUED TO DOCUMENT THE SITUATION???????????????????? God, where are all these horrible people coming from??????????? It was oppressively hot, he had no water & she does that to him EVERY DAY. Can I chain YOU up & monitor YOUR situation & see how you’re doing after it hits 90 on Day 5?????
Chris
Sep 4, 2013 at 4:04 am
Come on my property… take my dog ( which would be an INSIDE dog out on his playtime outside) and i would press FULL charges and ride them out fully. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS !!!
Chris
Sep 4, 2013 at 4:14 am
but at the same time… if you live next door to me and SEE me neglkecting my dog… then i approve of your efforts… but for a drive by judgement you really need to mind your own business.
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:17 pm
You should be arrested, you are a MONSTER!!!!! You think animal abuse & neglect are the dog owner’s business & no one else’s????? Well, I have news for you, Mr. Communist – this is AMERICA. We have LAWS about caring for animals & not abusing them. Maybe you should go to Iran or Russia or China where animal abuse is rampant. You would LOVE it there. MONSTER, DISGUSTING MONSTER.
Pat Henry
Sep 4, 2013 at 1:22 am
I think that since this kind of abuse/neglect is becoming so common, there should be a “Good Samaritan” law so that if you break into a car to rescue an animal in obvious heat distress, or remove an animal from an owner’s property to bring it into air conditioning, you shouldn’t be subject to arrest or litigation. Sometimes there isn’t enough time to wait around for authorities to arrive. These poor suffering animals are at the mercy of ignorant cruel owners with no one to speak for them. It should NOT be a criminal act to reach out to them with heartfelt help.
Janet
Sep 1, 2013 at 3:36 pm
I have commented before on this but need to say one more thing
Unless there are “no tresspassing signs or person has been advised by owner to not tresspass”, it is not even a issue of tresspassing. It is (SIMPLY NOT) stealing/theft. It is (a heartfelt need to rescue suffering). We all need to voice our opinions and get our senators and house reps.. to ENFORCE STRICKER PROTECTION LAWS. This will continue until until we SPEAK UP and not just sit by and comment. It’s n, ot enough
JOANN
Sep 1, 2013 at 11:00 am
These are the kind of police officers that give law enforcement a bad name.
How do you respect that behavior? Please don’t give me this “law” business.
Hitler, Sadam Hussein, Mao, they had “laws” too. Justice shouldn’t be left out of the equation. I am still in disbelief. What if a five year old child
was found tethered to a tree with no potable water on a sweltering day? Would
they arrest that man for entering the property and resucuing the child and calling DCF? This is ridiculous. The Chief of Police should suspend these bozos wthout pay!
Janet
Aug 31, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Not to compare but I had this same problem in Iowa during a hot summer in 2011. Animal control and PD dept.. protected the owner and I was charged with tresspassing. It made the news and I was glad of that. But this puppy was chained 24/7 with no shade, no water or black muddy water. He had a hole dug for some relief. These stories make me so angry. The owner is just retaliating out of quilt by accusing him of selling. AC was called!! AC and/or the PD depts. can take hours sometimes to respond. This dog couldn’t wait that long.
Ken
Aug 31, 2013 at 7:34 am
Tether her to a tree until she drops the charges, and let the dog live in the house where he should be in the first place. She’s the animal.
Robyn
Aug 31, 2013 at 6:40 am
If she really LOVED her dog she would have thanked the man that was kind enough to make sure the dog was taken care of…. if his intentions were to sell the dog, then why would he have called animal Control?
Kim Wheeland
Aug 30, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Interesting – a flaw in owners supposed theory – she stated he was stole the dog because he was going to sell them – but then why would he call animal control? If it is illegal to tether a dog in Atlanta for any amount of time – why hasn’t this woman been arrested and dogs taken away???
Paula
Aug 30, 2013 at 9:37 pm
If she only left the dog to run an errand, then why were there broken buckets and pails near the dog and a seemingly well worn path within his reach! Hmmm…I say the charges should be dropped. If you think about it, maybe he should have handled it a little differently, but he had the dogs welfare in mind.
Erin
Aug 30, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I see where he was coming from & I totally agree that an animal should NEVER be chained up, but I probably would have gone & gotten a bucket & couple gallons of water at the store, brought it back to him & called animal control. The dog does look fairly healthy. And she absolutely should be given a hefty fine & ordered to build an adequate fence, complete with a shelter from heat/cold when she has to run her errands. If she doesn’t comply, arrest & seizure of the dogs. But, if the charges go through, I’ll be sickened-I hope to hear the outcome of this case. Love to the doggies. <3
Erin
Aug 30, 2013 at 12:34 pm
And I would have waited until Animal Control get there, after calling in the problem.
Meg
Aug 30, 2013 at 12:15 pm
This man is a true hero and I am apalled by the way the Atlanta police dept.handled this! The woman who left the dog tied up on a short chain with no water on a sweltering hot day is the one who should be arrested ! He meant no harm,just to save this poor dogs life !
Linda Kramer
Aug 30, 2013 at 11:33 am
Not only should the charges be OBVIOUSLY dropped against this man, but the lady is the one that needs to be charged and thrown in prison! The dog is “well cared for?!” Being tied to a tree is one thing, but did anyone notice the length of the chain or rope? It only looks about 3 feet long! If a dog is tied up, the rope needs to be long enough to reach his water and food dishes. I don’t like the short rope, because maybe initially he could reach them, but if he tipped the water or food dish over, (because it was empty, and he was licking it, trying to get more out of it,) then the dish could move out of his reach, especially if he’s on a short leash. If he’s on a longer leash, at least he has more room to move around, and reach his food/water dish, if it gets moved further away by accident. And if he can’t reach his water dish, or has no water left,( because it got tipped over, or there are holes in the bucket, or it’s not filled often enough), and being left outside in sweltering heat on top of it,seems abusive to me.
doug
Aug 30, 2013 at 8:06 am
THAT OWNER SHOULD BE CHAINED TO A TREE WITH NO WATER SHES TRASH. THAT GUY SHOULD BE GIVEN A METAL. YOUR A GOOD MAN.
Dog Guru
Aug 30, 2013 at 1:52 am
Please join me in putting pressure on Police Chief Turner in Atlanta. Let him know that the animal welfare community is watching and willing to take LOTS of ACTION to protest his WRONG officers. Here is the e-mail I just sent to Chief Turner:
Chief Turner,
I am a dog rescuer. This evening, I was disgusted to read a story about your morally bankrupt officers and their arrest of Steven Bailey, a man who did the RIGHT THING (if you think I am wrong, check out the comments to the story (and then share it with your ethic-less officers – it’s what the public thinks of their inability to use common sense, compassion, and judgment in the act of carrying out their responsibility): dogingtonpost.com/man-arrested-after-rescuing-tethered-dog-on-a-hot-day/#comment-63341
You see, Chief Turner, the problem here is that these are the exact same officers who will be in the news for shooting an innocent dog in front of children. They don’t even know the laws in Atlanta. It is ILLEGAL TO CHAIN A DOG in Atlanta, I believe. Why is the dog “owner” not in jail? Did your officers check out the conditions? Did they involve anyone with expertise who could determine if the dog had been abused? Where was process? Fairness? The law? Do your officers consider any of these elements in their enforcement of the law, or do they just do whatever the hell they feel like doing?
Cops across the country are OFF THE HOOK, and you all better start getting the message! We live in a democracy, NOT (yet) a police state where a badge gives you a license to kill (or jail) whom, and when, you choose. Watch. . . wait. . . while the animal welfare world organizes, and see how much fun you are gonna have being under the national microscope. The WORLD will be watching this story soon enough.
If you were doing YOUR JOB, you would already have started the process of investigation and suspended the officers in lieu of being found negligent in their duties. If they are really so ignorant that they put a man in jail who saved a dog from a chain, they are definitely too ignorant to carry guns! Are you too ignorant to see that? Support their actions, and you can take the heat with them. This is entirely unacceptable! Tie that woman to a tree (and put the officers with her); then, Chief Turner, you will have carried out some justice.
You should be hanging your head in shame! You have the power to do right, and yet you choose to promote abuse of the innocent and vulnerable. SHAME ON YOU, Chief Turner, and your ignorant officers!
virginia glass
Aug 30, 2013 at 3:59 pm
While you may feel exactly the way you expressed, it is never smart to take the tact you did….your letter will not get the result you want……you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Lacey Sheridan
Oct 31, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Unfortunately, Virginia, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
Richard Veeco
Jan 13, 2015 at 6:11 pm
Perfect answer to the situation, his defense should be that he was not intending to deprive the person of the ownership but was merely taking it to the vet for evaluation and observation and then no larceny was committed
etbmfa
Aug 30, 2013 at 12:41 am
Truth about Tethering
Dog owners deserve laws based on facts. Not fear.
Humane restraint safeguards both pets and the community. Loose running dogs are a nuisance and may bite.
A Cornell University study found that proper tethering is a safe and humane method of confinement.
Solid, dog-proof fencing is expensive and not permitted in some areas.
Anti-tethering laws may negatively impact poor, rural, and minority communities.
Anti-tethering laws may sound humane, but may actually do more harm than good.
Animal rights extremists deliberately distort statistics – there is no factual basis for anti-tethering laws. Responsible owners need all options to humanely confine their dogs!
The CDC does not support anti-tethering laws.
The AVMA does not support anti-tethering laws
Anti-tethering laws are the latest craze. Strict leash laws safely, humanely control and contain dogs. Caring owners exercise caution and adequate supervision of their dogs, regardless of the restraint method they choose.
A tether is a “tool” and any tool can be abused or misused. Are we going to outlaw hammers because someone commits a murder with a hammer?
Tethering in a humane manner meets the physical and psychological needs of dogs while accommodating the needs of the community.
Tethering:
Securely confines dogs to protect them from exposure to injuries or illnesses.
Facilitates humane care and husbandry of the animals leading to increased opportunities for human interaction and socialization.
Allows dogs to interact freely with their kennel mates while simultaneously protecting dogs from aggressive kennel mates.
Provides ample space in which the dogs may engage in a full range of species-specific behaviors.
Provides access to the visual, auditory and olfactory stimuli of the general environment.
The studies cited by those seeking laws to prohibit tethering were not scientific studies of animal confinement. Most were epidemiological studies of dog bites and their conclusions do not demonstrate a cause and effect relationship between tethering and dog bites. Advocates of outlawing tethering as a method of dog confinement frequently misinterpret the results of the studies they cite.
On their website, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) states that a study published in the September 15, 2000, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that 17 percent of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 were restrained on their owners’ property at the time of the attack. If that is true, then it is also true that 83% of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans were NOT restrained on their owner’s property at the time of the attack. In other words, this very same study indicates that tethered dogs are almost 5 times less likely to kill a human than dogs that are not restrained.
The best available current scientific evidence supports humane tethering as an effective, safe and humane method of confinement.
The only controlled, scientific study comparing sled dogs primarily confined by tethering on post/swivel systems to another confinement system found no significant difference in the behavior of tethered dogs to those confined using other systems. (Reference Houpt K, Reynolds A, Erb H, Sung W, Golden G, Yeon W; “A Comparison of Tethering and Pen Confinement of Dogs.” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, vol 4, no 4, 2001: 257-270.)
Depending upon the length of chain, tethering with the post and swivel system as recommended provides each dog with more space to run, play, jump and engage in other species-typical behaviors than required under most animal welfare regulations, even those applicable to dogs in federally regulated industries or even modern research settings.
With 6 foot chains the dogs’ play area is increased to about 113 square feet
7 foot chains allow each dog a personal playground of nearly 155 square feet.
(Reference (Hubrecht R; “Comfortable Quarters for Laboratory Dogs”; Universites Federation for Animal Welfare, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.)
Neglect is cruel, humane tethering is not!
There are laws on the books to address the issue of inhumane tethering of dogs. Use them.
EDUCATION NOT LEGISLATION!!!
moriah
Aug 30, 2013 at 12:12 am
I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her…
Susan M
Aug 29, 2013 at 8:05 pm
It is a documented fact that the man called animal control. That alone proves he was not stealing the dog with the intent to sell it. Case closed!
Linda
Aug 29, 2013 at 7:27 pm
WTH!!! This man did what any ‘caring’ person would do for an animal in such circumstances!!! It is legal to smash a car window to get an animal out that has been in it for tooooo many minutes and dying….so what makes this any different???? And, the owner is telling a real crap story!!!!! This man should be honored, not jailed!!!
Jaime
Aug 29, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Why didn’t he do the right thing by calling animal control in the first place? Why didn’t he just take the dog some water? Why did he feel the need to remove the dog off of the property for the dog to be able to drink? Can the dog only drink water at his home? Two wrongs do NOT make a right. I’m sorry. No matter the intention. Do I personally think he should be in jail? No. Do I think he should be having to fight this legal battle? No. I don’t think he planned on selling the dog, why would he have called animal control if that was the plan? I think that this guy just needs to be a bit wiser in his decisions.
Kim Wheeland
Aug 30, 2013 at 11:40 pm
If you read his wife’s post, I think you will see that he did in fact call animal control a couple days previous
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Two wrongs don’t make a right? What are you, FIVE??????? An animal was suffering, what kind of sheep are you people that all you care about is some idiot law??????? Would you also not break a window of a car on a hot day if an animal was inside? I WOULD. But not you, you’d just call animal control & walk away – after all, who cares that it only takes a short while for an animal to suffer heat stroke & die? You DID follow the little law, you good little soldier. PATHETIC WIMP.
John Schoenfeld
Aug 29, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Well, he should have just taken the poor dog some cold water, and left it at that. Maybe left a note with his neighbor telling him what he had done, and asked if he needed water himself that he was welcome to, and that he would be “checking up” on how they were doing. That would have let the ahole know “Ive got my eye on things.”, or if the person was needy, he would being doing some real good, a two for one if you will. Here in Tx the police have to come out and tell you not to go on a property before it is legally trespassing and there for punishable. As for my self I pat the man on the back for having the courage to do the right thing under those circumstances, but as the saying goes “smarter not harder”.
Heron
Nov 3, 2014 at 11:21 pm
You’re from Texas. Well that explains everything. PATHETIC.
Lisa Bright
Aug 29, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Arrest the owner for chaining the dog(s). It’s obvious by the way the dogs are chained and padlocked that, that is the norm and I wholeheartedly believe she has those dogs chained 24/7. Can’t be too hard to get some video proof to see if that is the case and if so get the dogs removed from her and put into a loving home.
Steve – you did the right thing and don’t let the ignorance of the law stop you from helping other beings in need as needed.
Judy
Aug 29, 2013 at 5:44 pm
Bless you Steve… you did the RIGHT thing. Where’s the petition to sign? This is just sickening!
Tom
Aug 29, 2013 at 5:44 pm
What is the man’s address? I’d like to send ten dollars to him for use in his legal fund. I believe his actions were correct and his intent evident.
Doreen
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:18 pm
this is so sad.. Karma can’t come soon enough for some people. i hope this man never stops doing good because of this disgrace of justice. Its evident she is covering up throwing the blame on him.. why would he call animal control if he was going to sell the dog.. Its illegal to tie a dog yet she did and that is ok? acts of kindness should not come with a price tag..
Kristine
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Where do I donate for his lawyer?
virginia glass
Aug 30, 2013 at 3:55 pm
PayPal……. email is: [email protected]
Sheila
Aug 29, 2013 at 3:47 pm
She is a LIAR – if he stole the dog to sell him WHY did he call animal control to get the dog – was he trying to sell the dog to animal control???
shahla
Aug 29, 2013 at 3:20 pm
how come police and judges let the people who make the animals suffer walk away,and then put some one in jail because he was trying to help the poor dog in need? what is happeninig to this country and out morals values?
Shannon Spring
Aug 29, 2013 at 1:57 pm
God Bless you, Bailey and may we all learn from your heroism!! Not enough people take action like you did. You did the RIGHT and HUMANE thing. On behalf of compassionate humans everywhere, THANK YOU. You should and will win this fight. Dogs are not “property” they are LIVING beings and it’s that woman, not you who broke the law.
Denton Vhal
Aug 29, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Yeah, right. The first thing any dog thief does is phone the SPCA and tell them they have the dog!. I sure hope these braindead cops don’t have any serious crimes to investigate.
Hoss
Aug 29, 2013 at 1:01 pm
Love dogs; don’t love Atlanta pigs.
MzD
Aug 29, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Well….hopefully the judge will understand the situation and the fact that any caring human being would do the same thing. I would love to see this turn around and blame put where blame is deserved.
Jonathan Scheib
Aug 29, 2013 at 12:41 pm
can someone tell me why the dogs owner not being charged for tethering her dog, i thought it was illegal to do so for any amount of time.
Demi
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:45 am
If tying the dog up is illegal to begin with, then the gentleman should have been justified.
That is all I have to say about that.
And if he wanted to sell the dog, why would he call animal control?
carie
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:27 am
he is a kind soul to want to help the poor dog n she shld be great full she’s mean n she shld not chain those dogs around the tree even if she was going to the damn shop
yes that damn woman is lying through her teeth for sure n i wish somebody will tie her round a tree n she how she feels
Maria West
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:24 am
In Atlanta, it is illegal to tether a dog to a tree for any amount of time.
Fulton says she only chained him up for a few minutes while she ran errands.
END OF STORY, WHERES THE ARREST OF HER ????????????????
Laura
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:56 am
why was the letter of the law ignored here?
this nation is SOOOO INTO the LETTER of the LAW!?! and , yet, here, where that is warranted? KEEP VOTING, KEEP PAYING YOUR TAXES, SEE IT CHANGE!!????????????
Sandy
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:46 am
I would have done the EXACT samse thing without hesitation. The owner is LYING LYING LYING. Went to run errands for a bit, my a**. There should have been cold water near that dog then. Liar. What an idiot
Dee Meadows
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:39 am
Stupid woman, He was trying to save your fur=baby, from heat stroke or dehydration etc, If he had plans of selling the dog, he would have never called animal control, etc, You just want some attention, and using your poor baby to get it, You should be thanking him, and also apologize !!!! and learn to take better of your animals, If you dont care about them any better than that give them to someone that would, I hate people that have animals just so they can say they have a pet, and specially a pit, How do we know you didn’t have him in that condition cause you may be using him as a fighting dog, cause his conditions dont look very good, How would you feel and want to be treated/
Ellen B
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:20 am
I hope these ridiculous charges are tossed out on their a**es!!! Rest assured if it was a majority of the animal loving public in the same shoes – the same action would have been taken!! Show me a pet in a locked car in a parking lot on a hot day – and I’ll show an owner a broken window with a note saying: “Local police have been called – they have your pet – feel free to appear to get your pet and face charges of animal abuse” … What bullsh*t!!!
catgirlcansing
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:17 am
Steve Bailey is my husband and I want to thank you all for your support. Your kind words mean the world to us. The level of care for animals in our neighborhood is dismal We have rescued more than 20 strays in the last 2 years alone. We have tried to find their owners, had them checked for microchip, completely vetted them at our own expense, and found homes for them. Some people think that we should allow rescues to step in; however, I have worked in rescue for most of my adult life and know how overcrowded and underfunded they are so we continue to do what we do our of our own pockets as much as we can. Circumstances leading up to this incident led to my husband’s decision to release this dog. Our neighbor kept her dog chained and no matter how much we talked to her about it, she persisted. We didn’t want to strain our relationship with her, so we let it go and we loved on him as much as we could. A couple of weeks before my husband’s arrest, she came to tell us that Chico had gotten his chain wrapped around his neck and choked to death. We were devastated. A couple of weeks later we found a cat under a bush in our back yard which had been mauled by loose dogs in the neighborhood. The poor things guts were hanging out its back end, its tail was gone, and gangrene and maggots had set in. We did the only thing we could and took him to the emergency vet but they couldn’t save him and we had to have him put down. Again, our hearts were broken because this could have been prevented if people bothered to take care of their animals. A week previous to his arrest we found a Pit puppy wandering stray on our street covered in scars from fighting. We took him in, had him completely vetted, and he is now looking for a permanent home. The complete lack of regard for animals is what drove my husband to do what he did. Neighbors had called animal control on several occasions, including twice the day of this incident, to report abuse of the dog. When the dogs followed our dogs back to our house, we fed and watered them and called 911 and animal control, so please don’t think we had not tried the legal channels first. This incident happened on Wednesday. Animal Control showed up on Friday. We do have a PayPal set up for his legal defense under the email [email protected] His legal retainer has been paid now and we aren’t sure what further fees we will incur if it goes to trial. If the attorney can somehow get the charges dropped, all funds that are in the account will be donated to various rescues in the Atlanta area. Please know that we are not asking for donations but if you feel the need to help, just wanted you to have the information. Your moral support means more to us than you could possibly know. We have had some critics tell us to mind our own business. My reply is that change is not made by people who mind their own business.
Dee Meadows
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:50 am
We NEED more people like your husband “Steve” I back him up 200% I would have done the same thing, I feel like she needs to drop charges and Thank him / apologize to him. I think she needs to learn HOW to treat and take care of a animal, not just have one to say she has a “PIT” etc. I want to say THANK YOU and I AM PROUD OF YOU MR. STEVE. I feel he may have saved that poor dog from a heat stroke or dehydration etc. I hope they take the dog from her and give it to someone who can really care & love him. She is just trying to get attention for her self and using her poor baby dog to do it. “She may have even been getting him ready for dog fighting ??????? My opinion ?????? If he was steeling the dog he would not have called the animal control. I am glad he did
Sandy
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:17 am
Your husband is a hero in my eyes! I hope he continues to do the same thing if he comes across another one. Everyone is on his side, forget the police, they are heartless when it comes to animals and I’ve experienced this myself when you call and ask them to call Animal Control, Animal Control does not show up for hours, I found their number myself, Animal Control tells me the POLICE NEVER CALLED THEM. Police lie (most of them)
Richard Veeco
Jan 13, 2015 at 6:24 pm
You guys are hero’s as far as most intelligent non inbred morons are concerned as some of the dregs of society have show by their negative comments. I hope part of his defense now and in the future is that he had intended to take the dog to the vet for only for an evaluation and return him after observation never intending to deprive the owner of the dog and I believe no larceny was committed at that point only the trespass charge
Jennifer B
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:12 am
So ridiculous! We stand behind the man who rescued the dog and urge the police and owner to drop all charges.
Janet Withers
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:01 am
This is absolutely crazy. What Steve Bailey did showed he had comapssion for animals. Dogs die everyday by Ignorant owners. Why did DEANNA FULTON tether her dog knowing it’s illegal? She should have left the dog in the house in 90 degree heat. I hope the judge is smart enugh to see what is going on with this case. I would have done the same!
Good Luck Steve I hope you win this case!!!!!!!!!
SARAH
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:00 am
No matter what the truth is, the lady needs to be chained up to a tree and given no water in the hot sun for 8 hours! Bottom Line.
margo
Aug 29, 2013 at 8:08 am
me thinks she doth protest too much. I call BS as well. boards for fencing, chained, no water…torn up dog bowls. She’s lying and she knows she’s lying and her neighbors are lying as well. If they were so outraged, why didn’t they stop him from taking the dog. Exonerate this guy. He is a samaritan!
marlene mann
Aug 29, 2013 at 7:40 am
If it was a “neighborhood dog”, most likely the man was familiar with how the dog was being treated and had had enough. He had to step in and make sure the animal survived. As one other post put it, “he should get a medal.” Shame on you, Atlanta!
Rocky Watson
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:34 am
Shame on the police… They arrested the wrong person. Gosh, tethering is OK according to the cops, just not the law.
Concerned
Aug 29, 2013 at 3:50 am
This should serve as a warning to all the so called do-gooders who try to hide behind the guise of animal rescue. If you break the law you will be caught! This man should have followed the law and called animal control without entering the property, I know where I live he would have been shot on site doing this and it would have been perfectly legal. If you wish to rescue an animal, do it legally people! Save yourself a lot of headache and legal expense. The pictures he took do not show the entire area the dog had access to, he will lose this case and have to pay the bloodsucking attorney too. You have been warned! Do it right!
scott
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:49 am
I know the Baileys and in this specific case, there were multiple calls to animal control by other neighbors without anything other than a “you aren’t allowed to chain your dog up” warning. Fulton County for some reason consistently fails to seize animals who’s owners are violating the chaining law. What was not said was that there had been mulitple community complaints about drug sales at the home and that there were other neighbors who were arrested simply for being at the Bailey’s home at the time the police showed up.
As a neighbor I am beyond appalled that the police not only responded but tracked steve down at his house several blocks away when the very same officers will refuse to collect fingerprints when homeowners are burglarized, can never see the drug dealers that all the neighbors see and report and exercise their discretion to never issue citations when vehicles are parked in the middle of the sidewalks, causing citizens to walk in the street.
How are these officers able to do this level of policing and yet ignore actual threats to public safety?
Stacy
Aug 29, 2013 at 12:38 am
She is a lying bitch! Those bare patches in the yard with no grass don’t come from tying a dog up for a few minutes to run errands. And If the guy was trying to sell the dog who was he going to sell it to, the animal control officer he called??? Really angry and I hope this guy is vindicated.
Sydney
Aug 29, 2013 at 12:22 am
Its one thing to say how horrible this all is- and IT IS, but bitching about it won’t solve a thing. My hope is that everyone takes all of this passion for this poor animal and contacts their legislators / representatives / news outlets and KICKS UP A FUSS. It’s allowed to go on and swept under the rug because it’s just easier that way. It’s the south. It’s deplorable, and I know because I am on the Board of a rescue organization that is based in Atlanta. I mean, these animals can’t talk. They can’t vote. But we can. And instead of standing back and saying someone has to do something about this, it needs to be every single one of us doing something about this.
And PS- I don’t believe for one single second that this woman left him tied up for just “a few minutes.” Just like I don’t believe he had adequate water or food, or shelter for that matter. APPLAUSE to the man who had the heart to step up to the plate. He is a hero.
wendy
Aug 29, 2013 at 12:14 am
What a bunch of bullshit….Wish everyone including the damn cops would just stick up for the animals for once instead of some loser that is a liar most likely…Shame on them and shame on her…..Thankyou to the guy who tried to do something…..Praying
Nicole
Aug 28, 2013 at 10:22 pm
Whether he thought he was doing a good deed or not, he stole the dog, plain and simple. If he was worried about the dog he could have called animal control without trespassing on someone else’s property and stealing the dog and waited for them to arrive. And honestly, his photo doesn’t prove the dog was in any kind of distress other than the dog seems to be barking at the guy taking the photo which many dogs would do when some stranger comes in their yard. What the photo *does* show is that the dog is in the shade, he looks clean, his weight is good and he has obvious muscle tone and appears healthy. There are two buckets there, can’t tell whether they have water in them but they by no means appear to be shredded and incapable of holding water as the man claims. Heck, and if they don’t have water in them for all we know the guy could have dumped the water out just to make the dog owner look bad.
Janet Withers
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:11 am
Come on NICOLE, Your statement was rediculos. Like Steve would go through all you are acusing him of just to steal a dog. Do You have any idea how many dogs suffer and die being left outside in 90 degree heat. You are beyond ignorant!
Kelli
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:54 pm
The man is a hero. I will gladly contribute to his legal fees and sign a petition on his behalf.
Jane
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:39 pm
If everyone is serious about supporting Steve Bailey, willing to sign a petition who’s going to start the petition? You can go to Change.org and start one for free. Make your opinion count.
I agree that Deanna Fulton lied to everyone about how she treats her dog just to save her butt from being brought up on charges for animal cruelty. Steve is a hero not a criminal. If I were Steve I’d have her brought up on charges for animal cruelty, slander, & libel because she had to sign papers stating her lies.
Douglas
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Now its Illegal to tether the dog for 1 second, cops shouldn’t be saying it’s ok. Not only that but hte dog was tethered AGAIN when the news crew showed up. Seriously? Come on guys, you can’t arrest someone for one thing and then ignore someone else breaking the law, it’s for everyone, not just the people you don’t like
Lilac
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:07 pm
POST ON THE ATLANTA PD FACEBOOK PAGE!!
facebook.com/AtlantaPolice
Janet Withers
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:36 am
Comment Posted on Atlanta Police Dept.Facebook Page!
Kiki
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Unbelievable…..someone wants to do the right thing and gets put in jail
Lilac
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:00 pm
The scumbag owner still gets busted having the dogs on chains by the news crew! How stupid are Atlanta Police?
Judy Irwin
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:43 pm
The comments by the dog’s owner are just very convenient, in my opinion. 100% of loving dog owners would never chain up a dog on a hot day and leave it without water in order to run a few errands.
The man who rescued the dog..if he can prove that his intentions were only to aid a distressed dog..should be commended, not arrested!
It seems to me that character witnesses are going to be very important in this case.
I would like to know the outcome. I HOPE THAT THE DOG IS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE CARING FOR IT WELL.
JenniferT
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Sorry, but this is NOT a lawless society…yet. The man’s CORRECT and LEGAL action would have been to call authorities. It IS stealing to just take something from someone’s property. If you allow this, what is to stop me from deciding it is cruelty for you to dress your dog up in some dorky sweater and taking your dog away because you humiliated it, and I think dressing up dogs is cruel?
Lilac
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:02 pm
You can be as stupid as you want in dressing your dogs up, but the minute you leave them chained and without water – you’re fair game. Stop being an idiot.
Sandy
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:06 am
Agree Lilac! Jennifer, I would have taken the dog to save him, if you think its stealing, so be it. So, go ahead, follow the books, the law, etc. Thats your choice for being such a good law-abiding idiotic citizen who is afraid to save an animal in distress because “ITS AGAINST THE LAW” so let the animal suffer? Hell Noooo! But when it comes to saving a life, those laws go right out the window for me.
scott
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:38 am
In Atlanta, the police take no action for illegally chained dogs. They defer to Fulton county animal control who typically day “there’s nothing they can do”.
If the animal dies or gets loose and bites someone because they were made hyper aggressive because they were chained up, there are also few repercussions.
Kathy
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:02 pm
I believe the owner of said dogs is telling a tall tale.A good samaritan comes along trying to help a dog in distress ans she cries that he was going to sell the dog.Really please.you could see the poor dogs dishs were junk.A good deed and kick in the ars.Go figure.I hope he wins this case.It looks to me like she ties the dogs on a regular basis.Just my opinion.
Tina
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:01 pm
This is a norm for this woman obviously. I mean right on T.V. she’s got the dogs on a chain. Why does the police not show up and arrest her? So stupid…
I’m sharing on FB…
Sandra Eshelman
Aug 28, 2013 at 7:59 pm
People do not see dogs as anything but property and unfortunately you know how property is treated in our society. We are a throwaway society. We need better laws.
L D Graetz
Aug 28, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Where do I sent money for this courageous man’s defense? He did the Morally correct thing to do. I would rather ACT and be tried later then do nothing and see a living creature suffer for no reason.
If tethering is unlawful, why is the owner not charged in this case? Seems her excuse is just fine, but his is not. I find that curious. Further he call animal control to advise of his actions. Utterly ridiculous. Again, where do I sent money for this HERO’S defense?
Penley
Aug 28, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Thank the man who helped one who could not help himself. We need more like him!
kat
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:59 pm
During her interview you can see the dogs still being tied. Period! Obviously you see chain, ties before and after. So I believe she does do this as a practice…
Dog Lover
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Please..like he would call the law on himself..and why does it always seem to be pitbulls..I wonder??I think he was trying to do the right thing.He should have called the proper authorities and not tresspassed.I donot believe in chaining an animal!
Kathy
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:51 pm
The one dog has lock and a chain around his neck. They are not bicycles, they are animals.
Joanie
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:41 pm
There is yet another Pit Bull owner that appears to be UN-worthy of owning any dog, much less a Pit bull. I hope the Atlanta PD have the sense to go after her & at least cite if not arrest her.
Linda
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:36 pm
If the fellow set out to steal the dog, then why did he call the police as soon as he arrived home?
alisha anderson
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:33 pm
It is not right to do this to a dog . The man was only trying to help but the lady is wrong to be leaving the dog like that I know that dogs knock over water and then they start to play and there you go what the lady does need to do is by a plastic pool put water in that for the dog and put up a fence
Anita Trucks
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:24 pm
I would have done the same. This lady should also face charges. If its illegal to chain am animal for any length of time and she did she also is in the wrong. If some people had any common sense they would hurt themselves. I say thank you to this man for saving this dog. More people should be like him
Douglas
Aug 28, 2013 at 9:39 pm
and did you notice the dogs were teathered again when the news crew showed up?
Ronnie Adelman
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:23 pm
I think there is something wrong with this picture. When someone breaks the window in another individuals car to save a dog. They deserve to be praised. This man should not be in jailed and charged with breaking and entering. If I saw that, I would have done the same. The owner of the dog should not be permitted to keep the dog. The next time someone sees the dog it may be to late.
J. ROSE BRLW
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:19 pm
THE WOMAN IS A LIAR & THE POLICE ARE WRONG!
POLICE AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE BECOMING BELLIGERENT BULLIES, & IT’S JUST PLAIN WRONG!
STEVE WAS IN THE RIGHT, FOR MANY REASONS, SHOULD BE RELEASED FROM JAIL, BOND, & ALL CHARGES AGAINST HIM DISMISSED. THE MAN SHOULD GET A ‘GOOD SAMARITAN’ AWARD FOR SAVING THE DOG, NOT PUNISHED FOR SAVING IT!
STEVE DID THE RIGHT THING! GIVE HIM THE CREDIT HE DESERVES!
Robert Otto
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Deanna Fulton should be tethered to the same tree, with the same chain for the same “only a few minutes”. You should not be allowed to have the privilage of haveing a dog.
Marc
Nov 1, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Absolutely! Punishment should fit the crime. Someone wants to fight dogs, lock them in the pit with the dog! Unfortunately, the good samaritan removed the dog before calling animal control to document the violations, remove the dog, and have police arrest the irresponsible idiot who jeopardized the dog. Currently, unless two police officers, a prosecutor and a judge witness crime through the viewfinder while recording the video, they have no evidence. Morons! A little common sense goes a long way. Unfortunately, many people don’t use any.
Linda Moore
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:07 pm
I think the guy did the right thing. NO dog should be chained up to a tree! If the woman can’t put up the proper fencing to keep the pit bulls in her yard, then she shouldn’t have the dogs. Period. She needs to be a more responsible owner if she is going to own Pits.
Meg
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:05 pm
She should be charged, it is people like her make people hesitant to help helpless animals. She should be tied to tree with no water in the heat of the summer. Police ???? what can I say???
Andrea
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Clearly his intent was to help the dog. He didn’t place an ad on Craig’s list; instead calling animal control. Come on, lady. Really??? You’ve done this more than you care to admit… Why does any dog that’s only being chained for a short time need food bowls available? Why in God’s name do you need a MASSIVE chain for your dogs when just running to the corner store? Why in God’s name do you need a MASSIVE chain for your dogs when just running to the corner store? These dogs have been tethered plenty of other times as is evident by the chewed bowls and bare ground. Why not just leave them in the house? You are a LIAR and should not be allowed any animal!
Karen Danner
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:54 pm
So glad we still have people willing to rescue animals in distress. He should be congratulated, not jailed. I would have done the very same thing, so I guess we would have had adjoining cells. He did the RIGHT THING.
Shelly
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Well, Steve still had to get a Criminal Defense Attorney and give a hefty retainer. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN. And Atlanta PD is corrupt.
Melissa Donley
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:53 pm
This is Ridiculous! Obviously the man was trying to help the dog.
And as the police stated many times, “It’s Illegal to tether a dog to a tree, for ANY amount of time”.
Mr. Bailey has pictures and witnesses. He did the right thing. He accessed the situation, and brought the dog to a safer place with (Mind you) Cool water to drink. He then called the proper authorities,
to continue the process of Helping the Dog. It’s disgusting that someone who actually cares for and respects dogs/ animals, and willing to help when their in desperate state, is being brought up on chargers.
When in all reality he should be Thanked. Not enough people stand up, or step in to help innocent animals, who are victims of circumstance, with No voice . When for them All to often it becomes to late.
Look around people… Pull the blinders off.
Especially with the summer being SO incredibly Hot this year.
Would you like to be tethered to something, in this heat, with NO WATER.
(Not knowing when and or if someone would come and help. Being Hot, Thirsty, and Afraid.)
Then Why, should it be acceptable for a dog. This is simple ignorance, that should NOT be tolerated by Anyone. In the year 2013- We Should Be Better Than This!
Where are all the Heroes in the world. ( I’ll tell you- one of them was arrested. While others looked the other way.) SHAME on that owner for putting the dog in a volatile position in the first place. The heavy hand of the Law, should Fall Upon Her Door…
Not the Hero of the story. Thank God~ The dog is Okay…
Linda Moore
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:13 pm
I agree with you totally! This guy was the hero. And it’s evident that the dogs have been outside with the worn lawn and chewed up bowls. That isn’t going to happen if she is just running to the quick y mart. Pits can be an aggressive dog. And any dog will get more aggressive if they are chained up. It’s a proven fact! I don’t know, this world is getting crazier by the day, when good Samaritans are the bad people and the bad people are treated as being right!
Jan Johns
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:17 pm
The Atlanta Police Force need some education in what is “dog” cruelty and this wonderful man should be lauded for his kind deed.
Rob
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:52 pm
What if this stupid bitch had a car accident and got killed? What happens to the dog then? the cops were wrong to arrest this guy, the woman’s as asswipe who shouldn’t have a dog at all.
Sally
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:55 pm
You said it, Rob!
AprilCali
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:50 pm
I find it appalling that the police department would arrest someone trying to save a dog from dying. The dog would have died out in the sun without water or food.
Christy
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:41 pm
If it’s against the law to tether an animal at all, why aren’t they doing due diligence to bring her up on charges? His case will get tossed out. He was acting on behalf of the animal. If he was trying to sell the dog, he wouldn’t have called animal control. She is blowing smoke to concentrate on something else rather than her own wrong doing.
This is why I love animals far more than people most days. We are a disgrace if we punish those acting ethically.
Vicki
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:48 pm
I would have done the same thing and released the dog. It sounds like to me that the woman who owned him should be arrested
J. ROSE BRLW
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:07 pm
WHAT DO YOU MEAN “AND RELEASED THE DOG?” WHERE WOULD YOU HAVE ‘RELEASED THE DOG?’ YOU WOULD HAVE TURNED IT LOOSE ON THE STREETS? TURNED IT LOOSE BACK IN THE SKANK’S YARD? WHAT??? YOU DO *NOT* TURN DOGS LOOSE ON THE STREETS FOR *ANY* REASON!!! SCREW YOUR HEAD BACK ON STRAIGHT!
Sandy
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:11 am
Agree J. Rose….., Vicki, I hope you never come across TRYING to save any animals, let someone else handle it that has their head on straight.
virginia glass
Aug 30, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Stop yelling, would you? You don’t need all caps, for God’s sake.
Connie
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:38 pm
What kind of police department does this city have? I am sure glad I do not live there.
Darla
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:32 pm
The fact that this has turned into a negative news story tells us how far off base we are … the REAL story is about a GOOD SAMARATIN saving a dogs life …
Susan B. Maziarz
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:07 pm
AGREED!!!
Ronnie Adelman
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Right On.
Melody Kitchens
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:31 pm
If this was my pet I would be baking him a cake and thanking him for taking the time and energy to try to do what he thought was the right thing to do for the animal. No harm no foul drop the charges lady and be grateful nothing was wrong with your pet
Ed Lorenz
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Wow, does she sound like a liar? I live on the southside of Atlanta, and I see this behavior far too frequently in these neighborhoods. I have explained, then scolded, a neighbor for similar action. They have improved the dog’s position, particularly important since they were callous enough to breed her. There is more stupidity on the planet than dirt.
Pat
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:30 pm
The man called Animal Control when he got back to his house. How is that stealing and trying to sell the dog? Atlanta law says a dog should not be tethered to a tree “for any length of time”. Hello police…is anyone listening? It’s no wonder people are afraid to be good Samaritans anymore! So sad. Now this man has to pay an attorney to defend an act of kindness.
Susan B. Maziarz
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:06 pm
I AGREE! This man was doing an act of humanity AND correcting an UNLAWFUL situation! OK, a complaint was made from the dog owner that was followed up on and rightfully so. The police also should have went back to the “scene of the crime” I bet those chains and the empty/dry bowels still in the same place. I would guess that the dog is out there more often then not. The GA law states a dog IS NOT to be tethered for any reason, that means NEVER! That should have had her picked up as well for breaking the law, there was even picture proof!!
Ed Lorenz
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Wow, does she sound like a liar? I live on the southside of Atlanta, and I see this behavior far too frequently in these neighborhoods. I have explained, then scolded, a neighbor for similar action. They have improved the dog’s position, particularly important since they were callous enough to breed her.
Denise Weaver
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:29 pm
I think she should be arrested for chaining the dog up. He was just trying to do what was right I would have done the same thing or at least called the police or animal control. Apparently the officers believe her story and not his.
Stacey
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:28 pm
If he wanted to sell the dog why would he have called animal control? That woman is a jerk and she is trying to cover her butt because she knows she was wrong.
Stacey
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Well said! This lady got caught mistreating her dog…. and tries to turn the attention on the man who was only acting out of kindness. Pathetic! Unjust arrest for someone doing the “right” thing. Unacceptable. I would have done the same thing, no regrets! He deserves an award!!
Kim Enwright
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:28 pm
You went on errands you say. What if you were in an accident. That poor dog tied out for hours without food or water in GA heat. You should never ever leave a dog tied out without someone home to supervise. What if he got tangled around a tree or something and was choking? He would’ve been dead before you got home. Please be a responsible pet owner!! Drop the charges lady!! God knows what happened!!
kris
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:28 pm
she is a liar and an asshat and should have the dog removed. look at the chain.. that is for a few minutes? right. he should just have taken the dog and called a rescue. stupid people should not own dogs. and she is a stupid liar.
Mari
Aug 28, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Completely agree. This person is feigning outrage to cover up her misdeeds. SHE is the one that should be charged and put in jail.
Sally Dawson
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Exactly, Kris!
colleen souza
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:27 pm
I think the charges should be dropped, he called animal control He was not going to sell the dog!
Michelle Kuemmet
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Drop the charges. Want this man did was humanitarian & thoughtful.
Casey R. Doodle
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:18 pm
I think an email campaign to show support for this courageous and kind-hearted man would be appropriate!
colleen souza
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:28 pm
I agree!
Ronnie Adelman
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:24 pm
I agree. I am willing to sign and would share.
Janet Ellis
Aug 29, 2013 at 1:34 am
Of course this man did the right thing! Good people don’t let Gods creatures suffer .
This is a neglect/abuse case pure and simple. It is beyond belief that he would be arrested. Arrest the abuser…… please!
Michael Bennane
Aug 29, 2013 at 3:38 pm
arrest the dogs owner and file a suit against the police for wrongful arrest!
James
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:29 am
Gods creatures…… a you better go back to elementary man created dogs….Fact
Cotton
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:53 am
Man created gods? Shmuck….
Cotton
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:55 am
sorry… Man created dogs?
Leigh
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Yes. Man bread dogs for specific purposes from wild animals. Much like the way we bread broccoli or tomatoes from more primal calciferous vegetables and poisonous belladonna.
The animals that the gods gave us were too wild (smart) to train for the jobs we needed them to do; so we bread out the wild and bread in the loving cuddles.
This makes abuse/neglect of our pets even worse. We have bread them so that they need us to survive. It’s cruel to do this type of thing to someone who would love you until they die.
I’m of the opinion that the whole neighborhood should make it clear that any time she leaves her dog chained to a tree, against the law, it will be loosed and watered. If she starts calling the cops on every one of her neighbors, the cops will start charging her.
Cheryl
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:57 pm
I would sign & also share too !!
Rebecca
Aug 31, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Leigh, please. The word is bred, not bread.
Michelle Kuemmet
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Agree. He deserves thanks.
Deena
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:33 am
Okay, first off, HOW DID MAN CREATE DOGS???? I’m confused. Man might have domesticated them but NOT create them. Before YOU tell someone to go back to elementary school, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!!!
Cynthia
Sep 2, 2013 at 2:58 am
We domesticated wolves and then created various dog breeds based on our needs. Most dog breeds have been created within the last 100 years. So yes man did create dogs. We took a wild animal aka the wolf and domesticated it. We then molded it into what is the modern dog nowadays. There was a documentary on it done by national geographic. So how about we keep the caps lock to a minimum and perhaps use a little common sense. Otherwise how do you explain the wolf’s appearance changing so drastically into our canine companions now? Dogs were a eugenics project that has gone into a level that has yet to be duplicated by any other species man has domesticated.
Linda Ann Reynolds, Ed.S.
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Absolutely. Any kind act is not ever wasted. How dare any law be enforced against one who is caring. No animal should ever be left unattended, in the heat, no water. Someone is accountable, but not the actions of the one who rescued the misfortunate dog.
rendi
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:38 pm
I would do the same thing. The lady was irresponsible in not taking care of her animal. If she was responsible, this wouldn’t have happened, but it’s the ones who are morons who decide to arrest a person trying to save an animal’s life. If you don’t want to take care of the animal, don’t have one. I’m so sick and tired of reading about these pathetic people…And a big thank you to the person that tried to save this innocent animal. I wouldn’t care if I got arrested, I would continue to do it until there was something done about the irresponsible owners who just tie an animal up and than that’s it…leave them alone 24/7 and than when it’s convenient for them…maybe feed/water them every once in awhile. Get a life law enforcement..the one who should be arrested should be the pathetic owner and they should never EVER be able to have another animal.
Robbin Watson
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:00 pm
No dog should be chained. They can be injured; strangled or their legs caught up in their chain. Who the hell feeds a large dog three times per day? I call bullshit!
mitchell hale....
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:42 am
lets see my half cockerspanial half lab got fed and water before work, 6:00 a.m after work 4:00 p.m. and after supper usually the meat scrap’s the wife and kids did not eat. ……. one… two… yeah three times a day and i callll… you toooooo angry
JimK
Sep 7, 2013 at 10:55 am
I have to agree with Robin in this. This in not a cockerspanial and I doubt very much if the same conditions apply. I do not think most owner’s would feed dogs of this size 3 times a day; and even a few table scraps to this dog would be nothing more than a small snack. Her answer sounds like an outright attempt to deflect any doubt.
You talk about anger, this woman immediately calls the police and has her neighbor arrested? And this for an act of kindness & humanity. I feel Robin is entitled to a little anger and disgust and the use of the word “bullshit”.
Jon
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:26 pm
I totally agree..Throw the owner in jail for neglect
Sally Dawson
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:47 pm
I’m with Jon and Robbin. That lady is full of shit.
NANCY
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:33 pm
I will sign it too!!!
debra owens
Aug 29, 2013 at 2:26 pm
i’ll sign too.those chains around their necks alone should be enough to charge her with abuse..the system is so messed up.
Caroline Henry
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:45 pm
I hope this good samaritan is out of jail and presses charges against this woman. Totally bogus. Isn’t tethering illegal in Georgia anyway? If it was just a few minutes why couldn’t she leave the dog inside? I will sign and share if someone posts a fb page or petition in support of the compassionate man who did the right thing. He would not have called animal control if he had any other motive. God bless him.
Pat
Aug 28, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Agree. I’ll sign a petition
Lenora KIng
Aug 28, 2013 at 7:30 pm
good idea, for some reason the police won’t address that poor dog being tied to a tree in that hot sun with no water. they can tell by the dried up bowls there was nothing in them.
Suzanne Hammer
Aug 28, 2013 at 8:04 pm
I also agree–she should be glad that at least he tried to assist
David B
Aug 29, 2013 at 5:58 pm
I also agree
Joyce Taylor
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:18 pm
She should drop the charges, the man was acting on the belief that the dog was in distress. Shouldn’t chain a dog outside with no water, even for a few minutes to run errands, suppose you were prevented from returning?
Rose Armelline
Aug 28, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Try and do good and you get kicked in the butt how sad 🙁 good luck
ash
Sep 4, 2013 at 1:22 am
No good deed goes unpunished.
Teresa J
Sep 7, 2013 at 8:15 am
So true. It does not pay to go a good deed these days. But the dog appreciated it I am sure!!
Beth Greer
Aug 29, 2013 at 1:09 am
This man should get a medal!!!! I have done the same thing and would do it again. If you can’t be a responsible pet owner then don’t have them, and certainly don’t punish someone who cares enough to make sure they are o.k. if you are not there!!!
Dog Guru
Aug 30, 2013 at 1:20 am
I agree 100%. Doing the right thing is the right thing to do, no matter how many corrupt cops claim otherwise. The cops should be jailed for false arrest and lack of common sense and compassion. The woman should be jailed for animal cruelty and not allowed to have another dog, ever. Anyone stupid enough to tie a dog to a tree for any amount of time, unsupervised, should not have the dog. Period. End of discussion.
Angela Himmeroder
Aug 30, 2013 at 3:32 pm
This guy is a hero in my eyes. This woman obviously knows the laws about chaining a dog to a tree for any amount of time is illegal. I was also in the same situation, I rescued a 5 month old puppy out of a hot car, waited 1/2 hour for the owners to show up while the car alarm was going off. I took the puppy to a local rescue, where we tracked them down, and they were going to charge me for stealing their dog. They should be happy that I came alone and saved their dog from dying in their hot car
Terri Imel
Aug 29, 2013 at 4:09 pm
I think charges should be dropped as he was only trying to help. If he was intending to sell the dogs as the owner said he would have not called the Humane Society.
Cheryl
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:55 pm
She more than likely told the Police Officer what he wanted to hear !! I’m willing to bet $$ that her poor Dogs are CHAINED on HOT & COLD Days for way more than just minutes, That doesn’t even make sense to say you can do errands in Minutes, You know she has to be lying ! The Man should be able to keep the Dog & If she has others they need to be removed ASAP !!
Dog Guru
Aug 30, 2013 at 1:21 am
RIGHT ON!
Pamster
Aug 30, 2013 at 1:01 pm
No good deed goes unpunished 🙁
tracy
Sep 20, 2013 at 11:13 am
you know the old saying “when everything that’s right is wrong and when everything that’s wrong is right” were in for trouble get ready!