caution: words

So Saturday night I was coming from my home in eastern North Carolina back to Raleigh and I stop to get gas in Plymouth. While I was at the pump a pitiful looking cocker spaniel (henceforth named Charlie) comes up and I search around for the owner for a few minutes to no avail. The number of Charlie's vet was on his rabies tag so I attempted to call and of course they were closed. I decided that I would take him back with me and try to find his owner today.

Meanwhile, when I got back into town on Saturday I called Goodies to see if she could help me out, as there was no way Charlie could stay with me and she graciously helps me out. I got over there and that was the first time I had a chance to get a look at Charlie. He had the worst hair matts I have ever seen in my life. Casey and myself proceeded to spend hours trying to just cut the matts off of him. We were able to get many off but there still remains quite a few. His ears are black in places because of mites. He had ticks all over his body and was eaten up with fleas. His ears are also weighted down so heavily because of the matts still on them that he won't let us try to cut off. We tried to bathe him the best that we could but that really didnt help much...the dirt was still in his coat.

Yesterday we took him to PetSmart and tried to see what it would take to get him completely shaved, so he would be more comfortable. I guess they need documentation that the animal is current on his rabies vaccine (very understandable) so we were unable to get him groomed but made an appointment for today just in case his vet could provide this documentation.

So today at 9 I called the vet and told the receptionist about this dog and she said that she thought she knew who the owners were. A half hour later the owner called me and flipped out about me trying to help her dog. SHe said that this was the third time that this has happened...and was just going on and on. I told her that I was only trying to help and that if it were my dog I'd be very grateful. Im obviously not trying to take her dog...you know? She went on with this sob story about how her children have been upset for two days because they love thier dog and I flat out told her that if they gave 2 cents about the dog it wouldnt be in the condition that it is. There is absolutely no excuse for it. She said that shed call back today with an arrangement on how to get her dog back.

So my question is, what do I do at this juncture?

11/27/2006 10:36:15 AM

If they love the dog so much, why has this happened three times? Unacceptable. This woman does not deserve a dog. The matts and ticks and mites don't happen in the "two days" the dog was lost.

Some people don't deserve animals.

11/27/2006 10:40:37 AM

...If you've found the owner, you need to let the dog go.

He was in deplorable condition, but all you can do is voice your opinion on her idea of 'care' when you return the dog. Again.

Quote :

"If they love the dog so much, why has this happened three times? Unacceptable. This woman does not deserve a dog. The matts and ticks and mites don't happen in the "two days" the dog was lost. Some people don't deserve animals. "

I agree. But ncsu_angel doesn't have any option but to return the dog. I suppose she could ask the owner if she might give the dog a better home (put more diplomatically, though), but judging from that post...that's not going to be happening

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 10:42 AM. Reason : lkj]

11/27/2006 10:40:53 AM

Call the Humane Society and let them know what the deal is. People who don't take good care of their animals should be taken out and beaten.
Most people who don't take good care of their animals probably don't take good care of their kids either...just a thought.

11/27/2006 10:42:26 AM

Quote :

"Call the Humane Society and let them know what the deal is."

that's what i'd do

11/27/2006 10:43:20 AM

im sure the treatment of the dog indicates how she treats her kids, at least on some level.

if i were you, i'd turn it over to the spca or the humane society and let them be the middle man in the transaction. if nothing else, to try to scare her into taking care of her responsibility.

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 10:45 AM. Reason : ^^ pretty much what he said]

11/27/2006 10:45:10 AM

^^ & ^^^ definitely contact Animal Control or the Humane Society and report the animal and the condition you found it in and report the owners to them. People should not have animals that they cant take care of, that lady should be prosecuted for animal cruelty for the condition that dog was in.

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 10:46 AM. Reason : carats]

11/27/2006 10:45:46 AM

or call the animal police like on animal planet

i dont think she should be prosecuted for it. the jails are already overcrowded, no need to put someone else in just because they're irresponsible

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 10:47 AM. Reason : .]

11/27/2006 10:46:24 AM

Yeah...no need to toss them in jail...just shoot 'em.

11/27/2006 10:48:23 AM

There is no Washington County Humane society...I don't even think the county has animal control

11/27/2006 10:48:36 AM

^^ I dont think they normally throw you in jail for neglecting 1 animal, not that it isn't bad to do so, but i thought it was normally much more severe offenses. For that kind of thing the lady did I thought it was normally a fine, and the inability to own another animal for xyz amount of time.

11/27/2006 10:49:30 AM

Then I'd call the police. They can lead you to the next step--there's usually some kind of animal cruelty deal on the books they can point you either.
Whatever you do, I'd make as big a fuss that you can, if you really are going to follow up with it. The more people that see the condition of the dog, the better, and hopefully the more humiliated the "owners" (abusers?) will be.

11/27/2006 10:50:39 AM

you can tell these this lady really cares about her animal. it doesn't even have a name tag on it and she says this is the third time its happened. if you cant get ahold of her area humane society or animal control i would take it to the spca or somewhere like that. they're used to dealing with animals in Charlie's condition...but then again you don't want them to put it to sleep immediately so you might want to inquire about Charlie's future if you take him there.

bottom line tho is don't give the animal back to that lady, there's some obvious animal cruelty going on there.

11/27/2006 11:11:05 AM

ncsu_angel, Washington County does have animal control, check the website for contact info

http://www.washconc.org/animal_control/animal_control.htm

11/27/2006 11:12:36 AM

At this point, Im worried that she'll try to file charges against me for cutting the dog's hair. I mean, it's in no way a nice hair cut. But the groomer said that the only option Charlie has was to shave all of his hair off.

And she told me that Charlie was an outside dog, so in this weather shaving won't be an option.

And Im scared of her redneck husband that will be coming to pick him up....

^thanks! I tried googling for it.

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 11:17 AM. Reason : ^]

11/27/2006 11:15:55 AM

So I just called the number for animal control which happens to also be the Sheriff's Dept and told them the situation. When I gave the communications officer the number that the lady called me from she said that it sounded familiar and went back and looked at her records from the day. The dog owner called her this morning to find out whether there was anything you could do if someone takes your dog out of the county...so she's obviously being unreasonable about this. The animal control officer only works part time and isnt in right now but I was told that he will contact me.

11/27/2006 11:32:39 AM

There is nothing she could charge you with that would hold up in court. A lawyer would laugh in her face.

11/27/2006 11:37:54 AM

Quote :

"The dog owner called her this morning to find out whether there was anything you could do if someone takes your dog out of the county"

So she doesn't mind the dog being just about anywhere - so long as he gets there himself
oh my god.

And this lady has bred

11/27/2006 11:38:16 AM

Annie's Cocker Rescue of North Carolina (ARF, INC)
http://www.anniesrescue.org
email contact: LarryDonnaCarp@aol.com
email contact: Linda Halbleib, President of Annie's Rescue at anniesrescue@aol.com

Triangle Cocker Rescue
cowgirlsissy2000@yahoo.com
919-690-0565

Contact these people, they should be able to help in some way.

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 12:08 PM. Reason : ]

11/27/2006 12:06:21 PM

Quote :

"bottom line tho is don't give the animal back to that lady, there's some obvious animal cruelty going on there."

i guess worst case you could give it to someone who cares and say the dog ran away.

11/27/2006 12:07:53 PM

well at this point the sheriff's dept has my name, number and address and the owner has my name and number, so just giving him away isn't an option.

I will not give him back to his owners, only the Animal Control officer or the SPCA here in Raleigh so that I know that someone has seen the condition that this dog is in and to make sure he is current on his rabies vaccine (the tag says 2005). And if I do take him to the SPCA and the owners don't claim him, I will make sure I have the option of taking him to a rescue.

11/27/2006 12:20:17 PM

i hate people that treat their pets like this.

i treat my dog how i would my child if i were to have one.
(matter of fact i'm looking to rescue another to be her friend while i'm at work 500 yrds down the road.)

11/27/2006 12:33:03 PM

yeah, I want her to come after me...dare her even.

My pup went from mangy, skinned up, emaciated, and nearly hairless to


in just a few months...

I'll try to get some pics of Charlie up here soon.

11/27/2006 12:45:05 PM

Please keep us updated, I'm really interested to see how this pans out. I can totally see some redneck woman being a loony like this. Chances are, she's pissed because she doesn't want someone else to see how she treats her dog and get called out for it.

11/27/2006 12:49:50 PM

yeah, I was really hoping that Charlie had been lost for weeks and that's why he's in the condition that he's in. Sadly, that's not the case. He stays outside and is probably only seen when they feed him...I mean even if he is an outside dog and you go out and play with him you would notice ticks the size of the tip of my little finger all over him. These people disgust me.

11/27/2006 12:55:31 PM

Good luck with poor Charlie. I hope Animal Control can take him away from the crazy lady.

Keep us updated.

11/27/2006 1:27:22 PM

Take pictures of the dogs poor condition. Document as much as possible. Afterwards contact local Animal Control becaus ethis is animal abuse. It's plain neglect and no animal should have to go through that. Animal Control will do check ups on the owner to make sure the dog stays in a healthy condition, should she get off track they'll help her or if they have to, take the dog away and infd a better home for it.




[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 3:08 PM. Reason : Only read first post, sorry. Good luck!]

11/27/2006 3:06:04 PM

to expand on the "contact the humane society" lines of advice -
I would take him and leave him at the humane society, and let them take the brunt the owner's wrath. Make sure they are filled in on how you got him and the condition and what you've done, and that they should expect to hear from the owner within days, so they are sure to hold on to him for a while before giving away or euthanize him. Then tell the owner to contact the Humane Society ASAP if she wants to get him back.
That way, it's not your problem any more. It should be up to her and the authorities.

11/27/2006 3:42:07 PM

^I agree.

11/27/2006 4:30:41 PM

yeah, I haven't heard back from the animal control officer or the owner, so tomorrow I'll take him to the SPCA...

are they good about contacting people if the dog is going to be euthanized (if the owner doesnt claim him?) I'd like to make sure that he's given a chance at a good life with caring owners.

11/27/2006 4:50:56 PM

last time i checked wake county doesn't euthanaise but i could be wrong

11/27/2006 4:55:00 PM

^ just curious, then what do they do? surely they have to, or else they would be overrun with unwanted dogs....

11/27/2006 5:03:02 PM

Wake county does euthanize.
The animals temperaments and health are checked. if the animal checks out okay then the animal can be processed and sent to the adoption facility. (can take weeks). BUT if there is no room at the adoption facility and/or the animal is deemed not as "adoptable" then the animal is pts.

Wake County SPCA will NOT contact you if they decide to put the animal down. You sign a waiver understanding this when you drop the animal off at the intake facility. so you'll never know.

Since it's purebred i'd contact Annie's Cocker Spaniel Rescue. The SPCA might give you some legal advice, i know they deal with animal cruelty cases (pit bull fighting rings).

Or try some other local rescues. BFPA.org or second chance are 2 good ones.

i'd keep contacting animal control and other legal resources. DOCUMENT everything

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 5:10 PM. Reason : goodluck]

11/27/2006 5:08:51 PM

did you take any pics of Charlie before you cut his hair?

that could help your case

11/27/2006 7:57:06 PM

call animal control and let them deal with it, its not really your place. You might want to contact Wake county SPCA (they dont euthanize) and let them deal with giving the dog back if it is in shitty condition. At very least the lady would be fined for not having it on a leash

11/27/2006 8:18:23 PM

i'm pretty sure the spca euthanizes...

11/27/2006 9:21:34 PM

I'd call that show Animal Cops on Animal Planet. They'll set them straight

11/27/2006 9:27:25 PM

I dunno what you people are smoking, but just because they run no kill shelters does not mean they do not euthanize. They do. Maybe this will help though: http://www.spcawake.org/breed.html

11/27/2006 9:28:31 PM

Quote :

"I dunno what you people are smoking, but just because they run no kill shelters does not mean they do not euthanize. They do. Maybe this will help though: http://www.spcawake.org/breed.html"

well considering i used to work at the wake county SPCA, and the manager, the woman in charge told me that the only reason they put animals down was if it was court ordered or if they had rabies. so unless if they have changed their policies in the last few years, then for the most part, no they dont euthanize animals.

ps, that website was pointless, good job dumbass

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 9:48 PM. Reason : thanks]

11/27/2006 9:42:35 PM

the website was to help find a breed rescue

[Edited on November 27, 2006 at 9:45 PM. Reason : and there is only one b in rabies]

11/27/2006 9:44:57 PM

Quote :

"Call the Humane Society and let them know what the deal is."

did you take any pictures of the dog before you started to clean him up?
and/or have you thrown out your trash where you put the matts of hair you cut off of him? i know its gross, but in lieu of pictures...

11/27/2006 9:46:07 PM

just curious but where abouts in Plymouth did you find this dog? Oh yea and the animal control officer is a Plymouth Town Cop as his main job, works as local diver and animal control as well.

11/27/2006 9:47:32 PM

^ yeah, Im aware of all that, which is why Im not surprised I haven't heard from him yet.

And it was at the Red Apple by the train tracks on 64.

Quote :

"did you take any pics of Charlie before you cut his hair?"

Unfortunately I did not think that it would have gotten to this point so I did not take pictures before we started cutting, but we do still have the hair and he still has terrible matts on his ears and belly.

The owner's husband called me last night at 6 to tell me that he was on his way to Raleigh to pick up Charlie. I was on my way to work and told him that it would be impossible for me to give Charlie to him but that I was taking him to the SPCA today and that he could find him there. That's when he went off on me and said, "I'll tell you what, I've been in contact with the police and it's a felony to take this dog out of the county" to which I replied that it was also a crime to have the dog in the condition that its in and just wandering around. He said that the dog was fine, just needed a haircut. I couldn't believe what I was hearing and went off on him about the fleas, ticks, mites, and matted hair. He was like, "well, well then the shampoo that the vet gave us doesnt work because he gets bathed once a month" which is obviously a lie.

I'm not worried though, I work for lawyers. I know I've done the right thing and even if this shit explodes that I have a great case.

11/28/2006 7:48:13 AM

I just checked my voicemails from last night. They left two messages, the latter one telling me that they were going to get a warrant for my arrest. He said that I could think about all I've done while in jail. Obviously that didnt happen. I also had a message from a police officer in Plymouth. I just called him back and told him everything that had been going on, and told him that I was taking the dog to the SPCA here in Raleigh and that they could pick Charlie up from there today. He was under the impression that I was trying to keep the dog which was never the case. Hopefully I won't see them...and maybe the SPCA will see the condition that he is in and intervene.

11/28/2006 8:33:08 AM

what a shittastic family they are

11/28/2006 8:40:55 AM

Did you try contacting the rescue place? Since it's a pure breed I bet they would find a home for it fast. Of course, it also has a good chance of getting adopted wherever it goes. I just hope these people don't figure out how to get it back.

11/28/2006 8:59:24 AM

did anyone every think to look on the other side of the coin and say:

-dog got out and had a blasting good time for a couple of days in the thick woods.
-angel finds dog and thinks he's in terrible shape
-owners try to get him back and angel delays them, letting them know what terrible people they are in the process
-people get angry and try to scare her into giving back

I'm not saying this is the case, but it is always possible. My dog use to get out all of the time because she was a crazy beagle. She'd come back with a lot of ticks and whatnot after only being out for the night. Our current dog chews himself apart and gets mats like a beast even though he is otherwise very pampered (we just dont get him groomed every other day).

11/28/2006 8:59:39 AM

^thats what I had hoped happened, that he'd been out for a few days...

According to the owners he had only been missing for as long as I've had them...apparently they live right behind this gas station.

The Police called me back and the owners refused to come back to Raleigh today because they had just been here. So tomorrow after class Im meeting my dad half way and he'll take Charlie with a new flea collar and his hair and some free clippers (courtesy of Casey) to the Police Dept.

11/28/2006 9:16:41 AM

the town cops that we know real well used to bring my dog home in the police car when theyd see him

he used to go out every now and then and stay gone making babies

11/28/2006 9:20:19 AM

I thought you were going to fight it more than this? You sounded pretty gung ho about it.

11/28/2006 9:25:08 AM