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What kind of message does it send to animal abusers when, after four years of starving and physically abusing a dog, you will only face a laughable $25 fine?
Such is the case for Jeremy Temple, a Middletown, Ohio man charged with animal cruelty after leaving his dog, a German Shepherd he called “Toby,” tied to a tree for 4 years.
Animal Control officers say they found the dog tied to a tree with little food or water. After rescuing him, they found him to be drastically underweight and riddled with fleas, showing signs of years of physical abuse.
Meg Melampy, a volunteer at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), said it was one of the worst flea infestations she’d ever seen. “When I gave him a bath, the blood just ran off of him,” she explained to WCPO News.
Though neighbors had witnessed the abuse and neglect, they said Temple told them the dog had a disease, that he was sick, and claimed to be doing nothing wrong.
According to the police report, when the arresting officer asked Temple about the dog’s condition, his answer was, “the dog is not a human.”
Rescuers say Toby’s condition is improving and he’ll likely recover from the years of abuse he endured. They have renamed him “Joseph,” after the biblical character that was left for dead but later became a ruler.
Despite Joseph’s condition and obvious years of abuse, Temple was only charged $25 for his offenses.
vigrx 60 caps
Mar 18, 2014 at 4:10 am
I seldom comment, however i did some searching and wound up here Man
Abuses Dog for 4 Years, Gets $25 Fine | The Dogington Post.
And I do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Is it only me or does it look like some of the responses
come across like written by brain dead individuals?
😛 And, if you are writing on other sites, I’d
like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Could you list of
every one of all your communal pages like your
twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
Kitty
Feb 2, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Well, maybe the dog wasn’t human, but either is Jeremy Temple. He is a sorry excuse for a living breathing “thing”. Temple should never be allowed to own an animal ever again. The neighbors and the officials are despicable also. You”re going to tell me that a dog is supposed to be “sick” for 4 years and it’s ok to leave him chained to a tree and you just believe the asshole owner? Whoever charged him only $25.00 is an asshole also. Temple should be made to pay all vet bills and ordered to pay for flea products for the rest of the dog’s life. I’m telling you, the legal system for the abuse of animals sucks in America. Time for a change and I mean now.
patty romeo
Oct 8, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Who is this idiot judge? I say get him out of office and find a true human being! His rat bastard owner deserve the same punishment of being tied to the same tree…He should NEVER be allowed to own any kind of pet ever again!!!
Christy Marshall
Oct 8, 2013 at 6:51 pm
To the owner of this defenseless animal, who responded to the police, “the dog is not human”; You’re not human, and need to be taken out, put out of your misery, and the misery of any human or animal who has to endure your sick, twisted ass. I hope somebody chains you up, beats you, starves you, and allows you to become infested with ticks that carry lyme disease.
VietVet
Oct 8, 2013 at 4:48 pm
May this pr1ck rot in hell and hopefully sooner than later. Hopefully he has no children because he probably would treat them no better!
Melissa York
Oct 8, 2013 at 1:30 pm
I think we should let them know how we feel!
MAYOR: Larry Mulligan, Jr., Mayor At-Large, (513) 258-7284
CITY COUNCIL:
Daniel Picard, Vice-Mayor, (513) 423-4063
Ann Mort, (513) 425-7831
Joshua Laubach, (513) 425-7831
Joe Mulligan, (513) 425-7831
Anita Scott Jones, (513) 259-4203
Lisa Weaver
Oct 8, 2013 at 11:52 am
I knew a FedEx driver who had seen a dog being neglected for awhile,tied up out back 24/7,little food/water….this person came back at a time when the owner wasn’t there and took the dog and kept it.I’ve done similar things myself…sometimes we have to stop turning the other way and take matters into our own hands…if you wait for Law Enforcement to do anything…most times it doesn’t happen.When it comes to animals and children,I do what I have to do…I’ll face the consequences(if there are any)later!!!!This “man” who owned this dog is nothing but a coward to neglect and abuse an animal!!!
liee.jett
Oct 7, 2013 at 6:06 pm
my friend’s step-aunt makes $71/hour on the laptop. She has been out of a job for 8 months but last month her check was $15599 just working on the laptop for a few hours. blog link—–> x.co/2VMZM
Jennie
Oct 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm
I forgot this-at the very least he should have to pay for this poor animal’s vetting, etc until he is healthy and deemed adoptable.
Jennie
Oct 7, 2013 at 5:59 pm
What needs to be done now is making sure this info get’s to Ohio’s State House and the reps. There also should be a writing campaign to the judge. I know there can be stiffer fines levied. We have here where I live.
Amanda
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:18 pm
I read the headline and thought he must be from Ohio….sorry to say I was right. We need to work on these laws in Ohio.
mary
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Maybe Doggington Post should GO TO MIDDLETOWN OHIO and witness the puppy mills that those ‘God Fearing Amish’ have.. do a report on them, and get them shut down!
Jennie
Oct 7, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Exactly, and then go to Holmes County, Coshocton County, Tuscarawas County etc, wherever the Amish live. My friend and I are always having dogs show up that are petrified of men and especially men in beards. They are taking the older dogs and dumping them. In the last year she had a Westie and rattie show up. We keep them and give them forever homes.
mary
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Middletown ohio. home of the abusive amish. no one there gives a rats dupa about animals.
Deb
Oct 7, 2013 at 10:50 am
I called the city council of Middletown, Ohio and this case is not over, this man will be tried late October. The city is welcoming emails to be given to the judge. Jeremy Temple needs a severe punishment, do you part by sending an email as well.
Ellen Hatch
Oct 5, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Please, doggington post, keep us updated on the condition of this dog and his progress. MY friends and I have “liberated” dogs we found abused and I would gladly do it again and again and again. I want to know what comes of this dog and whether he finds a forever home where he is treated the way ALL dogs should be treated, as a valued member of the family pack.
cenajone
Oct 5, 2013 at 10:10 pm
my co-worker’s step-mother makes $80 every hour on the computer. She has been fired for 5 months but last month her payment was $14571 just working on the computer for a few hours. browse around this website… x.co/2USI6
Marguerite Pohlig
Oct 5, 2013 at 8:42 am
Get your neighbors and sign a petition as well as take picture of this poor animal in the cold and heat and rain..
These sadistic people should get the same sentnced imposed as they imposed on their pet!…tied outback in the cold , rai and heat.
The sentenced they recieved says its open season on pets, u can do as u like and get$25. Fine if they get caught.
I love the comment ” they are just dogs”…Blows me away people still thinks like that in this day and age.
Come to think of it gettkng the neighbors to help is useless, arent the the samempeople thatnstood by andmwatxhed without calling to het help for these defenseless creaturs…
THEY SHOULD B CHARGED AS WELL !
Claire
Oct 5, 2013 at 12:58 am
Holy hell on earth~~does that owner think he is the only one who deserves a life? Shame on authorities for only giving that sick sob a 25.00 fine. I would love to have that dog. Hope he finds a loving forever home. The laws for animal abuse need to change!!
Sara
Oct 4, 2013 at 10:58 pm
We tried like hell to get an animal welfare bill passed in the North Dakota legislature in 2013. The farm lobby went nuts and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars spreading lies about the Humane Society of the United States, and also said the law didn’t go far enough. When it came time to vote on the legislation the farm group wanted, they went and lobbied AGAINST their own legislation. Farm groups do not want farmers to be required to treat their animals (and your food) humanely, and that is the bottom line.
I also had to watch a dog suffer for years before I could get the owner to give it up. The neighbors and I fed and watered this dog enough to keep it going. It was tied to a trailer hitch on an old camper for 2 years. I finally told them I was coming to get it, and did so. When I went in to tell the daughter I was taking the dog, she just said OK and didn’t even go out to say goodbye to him.
Allison Duratz
Oct 4, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I also believe in taking a dog when it is being abused. Screw the law. I could not live with myself if I sat by & did nothing. A stray dog once came into my yard. I kept it & for 2 weeks called animal control, the local humane society, etc., asking if anyone had called looking for their dog. Nothing. Then, a neighbor told me they knew whose dog it was. The owner lived just one street over from me. My neighbor begged me to not give the dog back, saying that the owner didnt take care of the dog – it was left outside day & night with no food, water, shelter … when it stormed the dog had to seek shelter under a bbq grill. Mind you, this was a little 9 lb dog. I called the humane society, telling them I knew whose dog it was & asked what I should do. They said that by law I had to return the dog. Ha! Fat chance of that. She has been with me & my other 2 dogs for 5 yrs now & is totally spoiled. 1-2 walks a day, sleeps in bed with us, fenced in yard, doggie door, and loved 150%. Those people never put up signs, never went looking for the dog. They obviously could care kess. We must b their voice.
Sarah brown
Oct 4, 2013 at 10:25 pm
I have some very religious people living near us, they are allowed no television, no cell phone,
The woman are young, dumb, and kept pregnant most of the time only wearing long skirts,
And not allowed to answer the door if a man is there, etc. I would like to be able to sy
That they are a great example of God’s love, but they are among he most unchristian
People I have ever known. They are mean, cruel, uncaring, and do not act like good
Believers should. Sorry it took so long to get to the point…one morning I awoke to the
Sound of something or someone screaming. My baby was on the bed, so I to up,
Shut the alarm off and it was pouring down rain with thunder and lightening. I went outside and
Followed the screaming to the dipshits back porch where a tiny, tiny puppy was so
Frightened out of his mind, screaming in fear and shaking like a leaf. I picked him up
Comforted him and talked to him softly. He settled down a bit, and I started knocking on
the doorTrying to wake up the dumb wife. She finally answered the door and I asked her
What the hell she was doing leaving a puppy out in a horrible storm and he had wound
The rope they had. Him tied with so tightly that in a few more minutes he would have
Strangled himself. So the twit says why are you upset about the puppy and I told her
That anyone with any compassion would never do that to a helpless animal. She said
Well I have a six week old baby and I said fine bring it out here and tie it up, that is
What you are doing to this puppy. She said what should I do, it said he should be in
A box with warm towels around him with water and food. I helped her set it up in
Their garage, and I did not see the puppy for a few weeks (I guess they only consider
Them beasts so they don’t care, then they built a dog house and tied it up, but I
Called welfare when it was too hot, so they gave it away. Good for the dog. And they
Have not gotten another. THey better not!!!
Ellen Hatch
Oct 4, 2013 at 10:22 pm
A few years ago I passed a dog tied to a tree day after day…cold, hot, snow, rain. Finally I got sick of it. My brother & I and a friend stopped by. His leash “accidentally” broke. He jumped in the car with us. We found a lady who took him into a forever home and adored him. He slept with her, had two beds and everything a dog could want. More people need to do this. If you steal a dog nobody wants it’s like the underground railway “stealing” a slave, because, lets face it folks, these dogs are slaves, pure and simple. Abused, pathetic slaves.
Mike
Oct 4, 2013 at 10:16 pm
Maureen Martinek you should take the dog and keep it or give it to someone else who will care for it. The owner probably won’t care. Isn’t it worth the fine if the owner does care if you do get caught?
cindy
Oct 4, 2013 at 9:29 pm
OMW! Something is wrong with this picture! My dog barked because someone stepped on our lawn and I received a $65 ticket for a barking dog and this jerk receives a $25 fine! I believe cruelty is a lot worse then a barking dog! Grateful dog is gone from him and is doing well! 🙂
Vic
Oct 4, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Time to call the media when the “authorities” don’t respond.
Maggie Kirchoff
Oct 4, 2013 at 9:08 pm
That $25 fine is exactly why we are all still caring for horribly abused and neglected animals. Those neighbors didn’t give a crap about the poor dog either. The “Owner” is a worthless POS and deserves to be tied to a tree for 4 years and given just minimal food and water, no love or affection and no protection from the weather or fleas, flies, ticks or mosquitoes. Give his sorry butt a taste of his own medicine. He’s nowhere NEAR being a human. If anyone sees an animal being horribly neglected like this or abused, to hell with the law! Go get the animal! Make sure it’s safe! Don’t contribute to it’s suffering by turning a blind eye.
Sue
Oct 4, 2013 at 8:57 pm
The poor dog may not be a human being, but then neither are you.
KS
Oct 4, 2013 at 7:55 pm
After a year of watering and feeding our neighbors dog, a shepard I might add, they up and moved without telling anyone and left her tied to a tree. No shelter from the rain and HAIL I might add. Out in the snow all winter. She was rescued. Thank the Lord. No they didn’t get in trouble for that at all. I called everyday. We live in the county….no rules.
katie
Oct 4, 2013 at 7:02 pm
poor baby 🙁 the idiot who was the dogs owner, needs to be fined more and thrown in jail! make it impossible for him or others to do this by having them on record as known animal abusers and make it illegal for him to own any animal ever again.. this poor baby, i just wanna hug him and love on him.. hopefully he will find a loving home where he can learn what love really is.. poor thing
Lora Howard
Oct 4, 2013 at 6:32 pm
I am HONESTLY ASHAMED OF MY HOME STATE AT THIS TIME!!! The law makers up there need to get their heads out of their asses and realize that animals deserve more!!! This idiot needs to be chained to a tree himself!!! If he could do this to an animal, what is he capable of with a child??????
Shelby
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Is there anything we can do to try and increase the penalties for animal abuse & criminal charges? I mean there has to be something or someone in who we can contact to get this straightened out. Maybe get a petition going around? Regardless, we HAVE to do something…we can’t just sit around and accept this kind of punishment.
Pauline Parkin
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm
I agree with all of the comments that people have made. I am so angry and I did call the two phone numbers that a lady posted and I complained. I am sick
over this. I would have gone over in the middle of the night and taken that dog. The people that are their neighbours are trash. Also what did happen to the other little dog that they had? I am so concerned about that little doggy.
Alma Anderson
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:06 pm
This dog did not deserve the horrible treatment he has had to endure for 4 yrs. Why did it take so long for action to be taken? The ‘owner’ needs to be taught a lesson – a lesson, he will NEVER forget! $25. is nothing, he should be fined $25. for each day this wonderful dog was tied to the tree. Plus pay all vet care and NEVER be allowed to be around an animal again. Oh, yes, he needs a LONG stint in a very uncomfortable prison – many prisoners are animal lovers, and what happens to him, happens. The judge needs to be thrown out of his job. Anyone that knew about this LONG suffering dog should feel lower than low, they could have done something…Shame on all of you!
Nicole P
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Unbelievable. As an active animal rights activist, these are the kinds of cases that reel me in and make me more active with cases like these. $25? Wow. What a non compassionate, bastard of a judge. This story disgusts me. I’m glad the dog has been saved, unfortunate four years of hell he endured, and I pray the owners karma comes in other forms!!!!! Since we can’t rely on the system, I guess someone or the devil can take it into their hands.
Julie Jo
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm
THIS is what is wrong with the system. It starts here with a dog tied to a tree and gets nowhere. These laws needs to be changed so that everywhere this is a felony and not just a slap on the wrist!! It is totally bogus that man got only a $25.00 fine and no other punishment. For us people who do own dogs and actually love ours, we are sick of these perfectly good dogs being abused, killed and maimed. We want things to change!!! Make it a felony to abuse kill animals. Make it a felony to fight,abuse,or kill a dog. It is the only way the message will get across to those that do.
Lisa
Oct 4, 2013 at 4:39 pm
I would love to tie his sorry ass to a tree and starve him and infest him with fleas and ticks . He is nothing but a selfish , pathetic , in humane thing ( I can’t even call him a human) . I hope that the dog will get all the unconditional love that he deserves. I hope he will trust people again. As for the neighbors, well , all I hav to say to them is ” KARMA IS A BITCH ” so watch out!
Deb
Oct 4, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Call and voice your opinion. This is unforgivable.
Larry Mulligan Jr. Mayor, At-large (513) 425-7719
Dan Picard, Vice-Mayor,Ward 4 (513) 425-7719
Cathy
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:32 pm
It’s a good thing I am not one of those neighbors. I would have gone over the fence and snatched up that poor furry baby myself. What is wrong with people? Dogs (or any animal for that matter) are just like children–they do not ask to be brought into this world. We bring them and it is up to us to take care of them. This is a lifetime commitment. I am hoping the day will come when animals are not considered property. They are part of the family. The abuser and the judge in this case should both be tied to a tree together (preferably one on an ant hill) with no food and water until they are both deader than doornails.
Paula W.
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:30 pm
The fine should have been $25 per DAY for the last 4 years!!! AND he should be required to pay all veterinary expenses for the dog! Some people just plain old should NOT BE ALLOWED to have pets!!! Then again stupid ones like this should not be allowed to breed either!!!
Paula W.
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:31 pm
And I didn’t mean breed their dog, I meant them personally!
Cherie
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:12 pm
I’m wondering also the very first report mentioned that they also had a small Pomeranian dog they found outside in what was describes as a chicken wire fence cage, What happened with this dog?
susan
Oct 4, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Why didn’t you give the contact info for whomever levied this fine? Your incomplete reporting serves no purpose except to upset people. Give us a way to act.
Julie Hopper
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:25 pm
SO TRUE!!!!
Carol Jawor
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:52 pm
The judge who gave this pitiful fine should be disbarred for not doing his job.
Bryan Adams
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:52 pm
What’s more disgusting, the piece of trash that did this, or the other pieces of trash that watched and did nothing. It’s hard to decide.
TINA HOFFMAN
Oct 6, 2013 at 10:06 pm
IF I EVER WITNESS SOMEONE DOING THIS CRUEL ACT TO AN ANIMAL, I WILL BEAT THEM DOWN MYSELF! IF THE POLICE ARE CALLED I DO NOT CARE! I WILL TELL THEM SINCE THEY CANNOT DO THEIR JOB, I WILL DO IT FOR THEM!
Beverly W
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Lynette…the video I just saw of the neighbor does not state that he wrote a letter…says that he was asked to write a letter to state that he saw no abuse…I hope he hasn’t actually fallen into that and actually written it… I feel that if you cannot treat a pet as a family member then you should not own a pet… and to keep him tied outside with no interaction with people and not feed him or take him to the vet or keep fleas of him is just down right horrible and disgusting… he should have fined very heavily according the time that poor dog was left unattended and outside and abused…All these should justify a very heavy fine and possible imprisonment… Just disgusted at some of these posts I see lately…Recently a pit was found in our area only 2 yrs old badly beaten, tongue sliced, stabbed…so bad they had to euthanize…unfortunately they did not find the person or persons responsible for this…if and when they do I hope its a penalty that fits the crime!
Cathy
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:36 pm
How about hanging on the courthouse lawn during the lunch hour? And hang the judge right along with him. I would go and watch.
Lynette
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Ron Allman lives next door to the Temples and said his neighbors denied abusing their pet.
“They told us that it was a disease that he had,” Allman said.
After Temple was arrested, Allman said a family member asked him for a favor.
“She wanted us to write a sort of note…that we never saw anyone mistreat the dog…so we did,” Allman said.
Beverly, this is what was in another article I had read.
Joy
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Where were the neighbors? Deaf and blind? That man is a sorry piece of flash and deserves the same treatment!
Joyce
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:22 pm
TIME to OUT this JUDGE ..
Linda Partain
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Please rethink this very light sentence for such a horrible cruelty,if not for the animal then think how this person might treat humans!
Angela
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:20 pm
is this the way he treats hi children and family? shame on him
Shirley
Oct 4, 2013 at 1:01 pm
Absolutely unbelievable. The judge in this case should not have a job deciding the fate of those who abuse animals. I think the owner and the judge should be tied to a tree with little food or water for four years. Our laws in regards to animal abuse would certainly change quickly. We call ourselves human beings? This is disgusting, anyone that has no compassion for an innocent animal cannot have compassion for anything. What kind of person could ignore this poor dog. Thank God for those that make it their mission to save those that cannot speak for themselves. These cases make me sick, we need more people to defend these animals against physopaths such as this judge and this owner.
Carla
Oct 8, 2013 at 1:10 pm
The story is NOT correct!! The $25 fee is just a court fine to secure a public defender for this morom. THIS GUY HAS YET TO MAKE HIS INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE, NO JUDGEMENT HAS BEEN PASSED YET!!!!!!!! He hasn’t even seen the judge so you are very out of line in our criticism of the judge. Right on about the owner, trust me, there are MANY folks here who are working to make sure he gets what’s coming to him.
Daniella Guzman
Oct 4, 2013 at 12:50 pm
just DISGRACEFUL and SHAMEFUL.
Vicki
Oct 4, 2013 at 12:48 pm
What a horrible person and yes, what about the Judge. Something needs to be done about this.
Jennifer Espinosa-Reyes
Oct 4, 2013 at 12:42 pm
What is wrong with the judge in this case? He have the same views as the owner? Thank heaven yall have the dog now pray the poor baby recovers fully. Can say for fact that mental is worse the any other abuse…sending love
Lynette
Oct 4, 2013 at 12:36 pm
That dog should have been rescued years earlier if the neighbors would have only called someone!!!!! I would have been on the phone every day until animal control or the police or someone came to help!! Then the neighbor said he wrote signed a letter that said he didn’t see any abuse to the dog?!? What is wrong with people?
Maureen Martinek
Oct 4, 2013 at 2:18 pm
I live in NC in a place where the houses go for $120,000 and up. There is a man that has a do tied to a tree. I’ve lived here for two years and have called the police, human society and dog control several time. I’ve seen them come out and inspect where the dog is. Yet, NOTHING is done! Just leaving the dog, tied up, so far away from the house, to me, is cruel and abusive behavior. Yet it continues. I still call the authorities when the weather gets too hot, they come, they leave, the dog is still left there barking every night alone! I’m not the only one to call either. I know other neighbors call too.
Julie Hopper
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Then why don’t YOU go in there and get the dog OUT! If you can’t take the dog, set up for a no-kill shelter to take the dog. You go get him/her and take it to the no-kill. Of course the police, and the man that is keeping the dog are at fault. BUT- when you see something like that and DO NOTHING—YOU ARE AT FAULT ALSO! Whenever ANY of us sees something like that it is up to the one that witnesses to DO SOMETHING!
Kathy
Oct 4, 2013 at 6:47 pm
But if you do that and are found out you get arrested for taking the dog. So ridiculous to see people get away with mistreating animals!
Kara
Oct 4, 2013 at 8:36 pm
In the State of Ohio you can not just go take the dog. It is the dumbest thing ever. but, if you take the dog, even if it is dying, you will be charged with theft and receiving stolen goods. So the authorities do nothing and the citizens hands are tied. but I would have been feeding that dog every day. and made sure he had a good dog house and straw in the winter. you may not be able to take him. but you can still help.any one that sits back and watches abuse is just as guilty as the abuser. Shame on you Ohio.
BARB DAVIS
Oct 5, 2013 at 7:19 am
THANK YOU JULIE HOPPER, LYNETTE AND MAUREEN MARTINEK. (SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS), HOWEVER, I HAVE DOUBLE VISION AT CLOSE RANGE AND IT IS MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO SEE WHAT I AM TYPING IN ALL CAPS)
JULIE…. YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH. VERY WELL SAID. I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS WITH PEOPLE TODAY… THIS ONE REALLY IS A NO-BRAINER. IT’S LIKE THAT ONE SAYING GOES… IF YOU KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND DON’T GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT OR NEED, OR THERE IS NO CHANGE, WELL THEN NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE AND YOU’LL CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME RESULTS… A BIG FAT “NOTHING” SO , THEN YOU HAVE TO TRY AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH. SO, FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP CALLING THE POLICE THINKING THEY ARE GOING TO HELP, EVEN AFTER REPEATED PHONE CALLS… SURE SAYS A LOT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.THE POLICE DON’T CARE.. SIMPLE AS THAT! SO YOU KNOW YOU CAN’T COUNT ON THE AUTHORITIES. WHAT’S EVEN WORSE.IS.. THE PEOPLE ARE CALLING THE “HUMANE SOCIETY” (WHICH IS NOW IN THIS CASE, AN “OXY-MORON”), YES, SORRY TO SAY.. THE HUMANE SOCIETY JUST STEPPED RIGHT UP TO THE PLATE…”NOT”. NOW.., THE POLICE HAVE BEEN CALLED, THE HUMANE SOCIETY HAS BEEN CALLED AND THEN ON TOP OF CALLING THE SO-CALLED AUTHORITIES, THE SO- CALLED HUMANE SOCIETY..”NOT”. AS A RESULT, OR I GUESS I SHOULD SAY NO RESULTS, THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TRY “CALLING ANIMAL CONTROL”. DO THEY GET ANY RESULTS??? A BIG FAT…”NO”!!! THIS IS PATHETIC. WHO CAN ANYONE DEPEND ON IN THIS TOWN? IT LOOKS LIKE NO ONE, EXCEPT FOR THE GUY WHO RESCUED THE LIFELESS DOG. THANK YOU TO THE “MYSTERY HERO” THAT DID THE RIGHT THING. YOU WILL BE BLESSED SIR, IF YOU ALREADY HAVEN’T BEEN BLESSED. WHAT’S THE POINT OF HAVING A HUMANE SOCIETY, AN ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER AND THEN THE POLICE/AUTHORITIES IN THIS TOWN IF YOU DON’T KNOW OR WANT TO DO YOUR JOB??? YOU’RE ALL A DISGRACE TO THE HUMAN RACE!
Dawn G
Oct 5, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Hi Julie;
I know that you mean well however because of the current animal anyone attempting to rescue that dog would probably be subject too criminal prosecution later. That is why numerous animal rights groups post petitions on facebook and other websites for concerned citizens like you and me to sign so that this type of animal cruelty will be a felony. Let’s direct that anger that you feel towards abusive and neglecting owners not towards the people who let the public know what is going on/
Dawn G
Oct 5, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Hi Julie;
I know that you mean well however because of the current animal cruelty laws anyone attempting to rescue that dog would probably be subject to criminal prosecution later. That is why numerous animal rights groups post petitions on Facebook and other websites for concerned citizens like you and me to sign so that this type of animal cruelty will become a felony. Let’s direct that anger that you feel towards abusive and neglecting owners not towards the people who are whistle blowers and let the public know what is going on. If not for the information they provide no one would know that the animal cruelty laws need to be improved.
Sheena Williams
Oct 6, 2013 at 7:38 pm
I agree with many of the responses. I would take pictures ,then find a judge who supports a stiff fine. We have a Judge who is fantastic and hard on many differeent thing. I think the owner of the dog should have to be chained to a tree for 1 year and treat him like he did the dog. Our judge here if you shop lift he makes you wear a BIG sign saying what you did and what judge made you do it. Depending on amount you stole you would carry that sign for 12hrs a day,,plus fines,community services. WISH WE HAD MORE JUDGES LIKE HIM!!
Toni Malik
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Time for you to visit City Council with some photographs and make those photos poster size. It is hard to ignore the truth when it is that big.
Sigrid Carter
Oct 4, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Hi, Maureen
Maybe you could pay somebody to sneak up there at night and ….”…………. Do you get my drift?
I know it’s wrong, but nobody cares about that poor dog. Take care
Kara
Oct 4, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Exactly Maureen
Anna
Oct 5, 2013 at 2:07 am
Illegal and wrong are two different things. Doing what you suggested is far from wrong!
Lulu
Oct 4, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Same thing happened with my neighbors. Nothing was done so I took the dog. I would go to jail for her. I love her. I didn’t get caught though and she’s lived the best life. She was elderly so I am determined to make her senior years her best ones!!!
Karen Cubic
Oct 4, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Good for you Lulu! My husband did the same thing. When we took the dog to our vet, he had hookworm, heartworm, whipworm,flea infestation, infections in both ears, a tumor on his butt, and was 15″ underweight. 8 months and about $3000 later, he is in great shape and has a good life. Sometimes when the law doesn’t work, you have to take care of things yourself.
Tara
Oct 5, 2013 at 8:20 am
The way I see it, dogs that are tied out get loose ALL the time…he may slip his collar or break it, or the tie out gets old and breaks…then the dog disappears…if you get my drift….
Lisa Baker
Oct 5, 2013 at 9:55 am
Maureen – where are you in NC? I might know a group that can help. Email me please! [email protected]
Sophie
Oct 6, 2013 at 2:59 pm
I would go cut the dog loose and take it home with me. With THIS in plan…
Or find a friend or relative or organization who would provide this poor dog with a “Safe House” until a gentle foster home and/or a permanent LOVING home can be found for him!!! MAKE the arrangements NOW! Take treats if you have to let the dog know you are friendly. And have proper handling gear like gloves, a crate, a lead and a muzzle if necessary. Since you say the dog is so far from the house, this should be EASY! Some may call it “stealing” this dog but I call it “SAVING” this dog! If you REALLY care, take action! Here are some online organizations you may want to contact or they may be able to find one in your local area. unchaindogs.net/our_story.shtml
dogsdeservebetter.org/
unchainyourdog.org
chained2011.org
AND read this full article WITH resources AND suggestions to TAKE ACTION, NOT JUST PICKING UP A PHONE, to HELP THIS DOG!!! And ALL CHAINED DOGS!!!
How to Help a Chained Dog
animalsheltering.org/resources/magazine/jul_aug_2005/how_to_help_a_chained_dog.html
By Carrie Allan
When a homeless dog arrives at the doorstep of your home or shelter, you know that his good treatment is assured. A bath, medical treatment, some hugs, food, refuge, and placement with a loving family—you can help give him what he needs. But what about the dogs who’ll never make it that far, the ones you see chained up in yards every day on your way to work?
Whether they’ve been driven to obsessive barking or just silent depression, dogs who live out their days on the end of a chain are in a sad gray zone of pethood. They may be “owned” by someone, but that status is merely a legal technicality; a dog left tethered has none of the sense of belonging these natural pack animals treasure. And while their lonely situations are often not dire enough to warrant seizure, there are other ways to help chained dogs come in from the cold. Sometimes it just takes a little friendly persuasion.
1. Gather Information
When you talk to owners of chained dogs, remember to check your assumptions at the door so you can understand their real motivations. In some cases, owners with allergies may have concluded that the only way to stop their noses from running and their eyes from itching is to keep their dogs outside. In other cases, dogs may have lived inside for a while but then developed a behavior problem that owners didn’t know how to cope with. Or the owners may have grown up in households where pets were routinely kept outside; it may never have occurred to them that they could treat their pets differently.
None of these are excuses for keeping an animal chained, but they can help you understand people’s reasons for doing so. Your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to help pet owners see that their circumstances can be improved for both their own good and the good of the dog. You’ll be able to shape your approach best if you listen to what people have to say.
2. Share Your Knowledge
Once you’ve heard an explanation of why the owner keeps his dog outside, help him understand why it’s not a good idea. Whether he’s a compassionate person who just doesn’t know better or someone who’ll be persuaded only by fear of penalties, the realities of chaining provide powerful arguments that will challenge almost any underlying motivation:
It’s cruel—and it’s not just humane societies that think so. The USDA has also found tethering to be inhumane, issuing a statement on the matter in 1996: A tether significantly restricts a dog’s movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog’s shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog’s movement and potentially causing injury. What’s more, dogs are naturally social animals; for them, being left in the yard for hours or days on end is the equivalent of solitary confinement—and may have similarly depressive psychological effects.
It’s dangerous for people and other pets. Dogs who are chained tend to become protective of the tiny space they have access to. According to a 2000 study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 20 percent of the fatal dog attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998 occurred while a dog was restrained on his owner’s property. An attack like this is tragic not just for the victim but for the dog: The animal might be ruled dangerous and be subject to seizure. The owner might also be liable.
It’s dangerous for the dog. Not only can the chain become tangled, but many times it’s much too heavy for the dog to have any freedom of movement. The dog also won’t be able to get away from people or other animals who may try to hurt him. If you can provide these arguments in the form of a brochure or information packet, all the better. Owners may be nervous or defensive when you’re speaking to them in person, but they’ll have information they can refer to once you’ve left. Create a brochure of your own—or request copies of the “Do Your Chain Your Dog?” flyer from The HSUS.
3. Provide Better Options
Once you’ve explained why chaining is a problem, address the concerns that may have led to it.
If the issue is behavioral, explain that chaining will likely worsen existing behavior problems and create new ones. If you have a behavior program or work with a trainer in your community, provide that information and suggest that the owner attend a class with his dog. Ask if the animal is spayed or neutered; if he’s not, suggest the surgery as a possible means of curbing the animal’s desire to roam the streets.
If the animal is an escape artist, suggest ways to deal with his Houdini habits. Diggers can be stymied by better fencing; the owner can bury chicken wire to a depth of one foot below where the fence meets the ground (be sure to bend in the sharp edges), or he can place large rocks at the base of the fence. Jumpers can be stopped by adding a 45-degree inward extension, available at home improvement stores, to the top of an existing fence.
If the owners have allergies, suggest medication. Point out that it may not be the animal they’re reacting to. Suggest regular cleaning of drapes and upholstery, the biggest dander repositories. Suggest an air purifier with a HEPA filter. (If you add these to your shelter’s wish list, you can even donate them to pet owners who seem willing to try bringing their animals indoors).
If the owners are just doing what they’ve always done, be kind and nonjudgmental in relaying the facts about the cruelty and ineffectiveness of chaining. Explain that you understand that animals have always been kept outdoors in their family, and that many people (perhaps even you) grew up that way, too. Then point out that more information and better options are available today. The owners can start a new family tradition—one in which the dog is partof the family.
4. Don’t Throw the Book at Them—but Mention It
Having the law on your side is a powerful tool that can sometimes turn a reluctant or recalcitrant owner into the picture of willing cooperation. (If your community doesn’t already have an anti-chaining ordinance, information on sample legislation and other materials are available from The HSUS.)
Working in an area that doesn’t have a law specifically related to chaining puts you in more tenuous territory. But the owner in question may be in violation of some other ordinance. If the animal is too skinny, if he has an ingrown collar, if he barks all the time and annoys the neighbors, if he has no shelter from the elements, or if he is a danger to passersby, you may have another way to approach the issue.
It’s difficult for a private citizen to enforce a law, but if you are approaching owners as a concerned individual, you needn’t threaten them. If your other methods of persuasion don’t work, you might simply let them know that a chained dog law exists. Explain what it says—or provide a copy of the ordinance if possible. Let the owners read it and see that they’re in violation.
Explain that you would far prefer to see the dog brought inside and made comfortable than to see a fine issued or the animal removed. Ask the owners how you can help make that possible.
5. Make the Best of It
If the owner is unconvinced and you don’t have a law to compel him to free the dog from his chain, you may still be able to improve the current situation in a way that everyone—you, the owner, and the dog—will be happy with.
If the chain is too short or heavy, suggest or provide a lighter tether. Pulley systems that allow the dog more room to roam are a better, though imperfect, option.
Provide plans for building a doghouse, so that the animal will at least have rudimentary shelter. Doghouses can be purchased at most pet supply outlets, but you can also provide the owner with plans to build one. (The HSUS has blueprints for easy-to-build doghouses; learn how to obtain a copy.)
Some organizations have started doghouse donation programs. By serving as a clearinghouse for doghouses, shelters and advocacy groups can provide pet owners who aren’t ready to bring their fourlegged family members all the way inside with the next best alternative.
Resources
The HSUS offers a free packet that includes sample anti-chaining ordinances from around the country, a “Do You Chain Your Dog?” flyer that explains why chaining is ineffective, and articles and studies related to the topic. To obtain a packet or a copy of doghouse-building plans, call The HSUS’s Companion Animals staff at 202-452-1100.
DogsDeserveBetter.com is a helpful website that includes advice on introducing local antichaining legislation. The site also offers downloadable brochures and information leaflets that will help hone your approach to working with pet owners.
Operation Doghouse, started first in Bedford, Virginia, and later adapted by the Johnson County Animal Protection League in North Carolina, is a great model for a doghouse distribution program. Donors can give funds, “dogloo”-style housing, or building materials. They can even build doghouses using plans the League distributes. Check out jcapl.org for a description of the Johnston County program; for information about the Bedford program, see bestfriends.org/allthegoodnews/magazine/BFMmar00.pdf.
PETA sells posters and brochures with images of chained dogs and compelling messages such as “Life Sentence, No Parole” and “A chained dog can only watch as life goes by …” Fact sheets from the organization provide advice on helping dogs relegated to the backyard and educate readers on the elements of acceptable doghouse structures. All the materials are available in pdf format as well. To download or purchase the items, visit petacatalog.com.
Ellen Hatch
Oct 7, 2013 at 9:30 am
Steal the poor creature if you can. Go to the humane society and ask them WHY the dog is still there. Find out about the laws concerning dogs and what they are required to be giving.
North Caroline is that l4th century, barbarian wack-a-doodle state where the nasty little repubs tried to pass a state religion, voted to kill women’s reproductive rights and only let white repubs vote. I wouldn’t put anything past those nasty little bastits.
DB Hutchins
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Screw you Ellen Hatch. Hopefully you don’t visit our beautiful state, folks like you are what has ruined it for the rest of us.
John Stumpf
Oct 8, 2013 at 11:48 am
Wow! must have hit a little too close to home.
lori
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Call the local news and ask them to investigate.
Pat Christiansen
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Please go and get this dog, or have someone go an get it when this awful man is nt home. Take I to a no kill shelter. They will take care of the dog, and will put it in foster care until it is in better condition, an can be put up for adoption. Wish I lived close enough to come and take it away. Moving it to another State would take care of the problem. The dog could not be found that way. It could just suddenly disappear. Pray that someone will help.
kris
Oct 7, 2013 at 4:31 pm
call the local news station then.. call them all daily..
Tami
Oct 8, 2013 at 10:46 am
Call the media outlets. They can send a crew out and other people will see this and start to put pressure on officials to do something. Also, pay attention to who you vote for, these are the people the will or will not do things.
Dee
Oct 4, 2013 at 5:43 pm
So would I. What kind of human accepts that as an excuse. If the dog was sick then it should have been cared for, not tied to a tree. The guys isn’t human. He’s a devil.
Margaret Robitaille
Oct 5, 2013 at 12:47 am
I know what were they thinking? that dog was abused it is plain to see how it was abused, what are they blind?
TINA HOFFMAN
Oct 6, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Yeah! This man should have been beaten for abusing one of God’s creatures!
Mell Bolland
Oct 7, 2013 at 6:19 pm
I agree Lynette,every time i see on here about animal abuse t annoys and upsets me. I’m ashamed to share this earth with scum that abuse animals.