Welcome to the Doggy Underground Railroad

[Modem Butterfly]

I've participated in a few unorthodox dog rescues. They're very satisfying.

http://slate.com/id/2113564/

Beckett made a few telephone calls. One night, when the farmer's truck was gone from his driveway, she and a friend from her rescue group parked their creaky Windstar on the highway out of sight, crept up and cut Fly's rope, and walked off with the startled but friendly dog. "You will never be treated this way again," Patsy promised her. A few hours later, Fly's collar was replaced, her tag destroyed, and her picture posted on a Yahoo mailing list about rescued dogs.

Fly's life had changed forever. She was now in one of the country's most interesting animal subcultures, the dog rescue system—a semi-underground network of devoted pet lovers willing to do practically anything to help neglected and abused dogs find good homes.

[livinginphotographs]

1. Cool article. Thanks.

[RubyDuby in GA]

2. I firmly believe

that in cases like this, the end justifies the means.

[OnionPatch]

3. I have thoughts along this line

everytime I drive by a certain house down the road. Two dogs are chained to their respective "boxes" which are leaky piles of rotted wood. Their chains are only about 8 feet long. They have made made ditches in a semi-circle around the boxes to which they are chained from walking over that tiny space their whole lives. I drive by several times a day for two years now, and have never once seen a person near them or even in the yard. The yard has a fence around 3/4 of it. I can't imagine why they couldn't have just finished their *#%@ fence and given these poor dogs some relative freedom. :mad:

I remind myself as I drive by that there are some people who live in not much better conditions. But still, I applaud the people who try to help such animals.

[Modem Butterfly]

4. I once asked a neighbor for their dog

They had a double-coated dog they kept in similar conditions, not cared for at all. I walked up to the house and asked if we could take their dog. He said sure, he was glad to see her go.

Sometimes you don't have to take them.

[jdj]

15. you can always make an anonymous report to the local animal

control. They may not be meeting the requirements for adequate shelter under state law.

Because if they get so many reports it may persuade them to act.

A dog I have now I told her previous owners about the law about adequate shelter, food and water. Then I provided them, in the middle of the night I snuck over and gave her a dog house, and a water bucket. Then, a few months later I just said fuck it and stole her. That was eight years ago. I have given her a good life. I did this because she was chained in an area with zero shade, it was April and since they wouldn't provide her with adequate water I was certain she would die come June or July.

[enki23]

5. so they stole a dog on the say-so of one neighbor

even though there was no sign of real abuse. she drove by *on her way to work* to see it tied up. no mention that this was probably almost always at around the same time of the fucking day. likely in the morning. it was probably tethered overnight to keep it from running off and chasing things. perhaps killing things. perhaps being hit by a car, or shot by an irate neighbor. would a kennel be better? probably. is tying a dog out "abuse?" no.

that pisses me off. i grew up on a farm too, and we once had a dog who liked to chase the livestock. he spent a great deal of time tied out. that's how we taught him not to chase livestock. we didn't neglect him, and we spent a great deal of time trying to train him. but he also spent the majority of his time tied out for much of the first year and a half, or so. he did, eventually, learn not to chase the livestock, and he got to run free almost all the time. of course, that came with its own dangers.

but during that time, somebody driving by every now and then would have seen him tied that way more often than not. and if they had stolen him, they would have stolen one of the most loved, well cared-for dogs in the state. we got him when i was eight or nine, and he was my best friend. he spent all day, every day, hanging out with my father as he worked on the farm. he rode with him on the tractor. he was my father's best friend too, and the only one who could stay with him pretty much all the time.

and if some asshole had stolen him because they thought being tied up sometimes was "abuse," i would *still* be trying to track them down and beat the living fuck out of them.

in cases of *actual* abuse, i'd be completely behind something like this. no problem whatsoever. but you'd best be fucking careful to establish it *is* serious abuse. otherwise, you're just indiscriminately stealing people's dogs. and on what basis, something one fucking neighbor said, about how it seemed happier when it wasn't tied up?

[flvegan]

7. Didn't read the article did you.

"The Atlanta tech treated Fly's rope-burn sores. Fly received medication for worms and fleas, and shots for rabies and distemper. A non-profit mobile veterinary service agreed to spay her for a rock-bottom $60."

Untreated rope burn sores? Worms? Obviously wasn't getting vet care. If she had heartworm, what would have happened to her?

You're right in some of what you say. Many dogs are tied out ONLY during certain times of the day. However, stating that tying a dog out isn't abusive, well, you're wrong. It can well be. It isn't always, but it can be. Your situation would make it seem as if your dog was not.

[enki23]

21. edit: misread the last sentence

my apologies for misreading the last sentence, and responding in kind.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

22. Where was it implied that your dog was abused?

I don't see that anywhere...in fact I see that the poster said it looked like your dog WAS NOT abused.

The article specifically says the dog was left outside all day and all night according to a neighbor.

[Modem Butterfly]

8. Wow. About a 9 on the Tension Meter there!

Here's the thing: lots of people think nothing of leaving their animals outside, day or night, snow, blazing heat, or hurricane winds. Lots of people think that dogs don't need to go to the vet, or only need to be fed about once every other day and don't need clean water. I'm sure the ignoramous in this story thought he was the best dog owner in the world. Assuming, of course, that he ever thought about it. But you know what?





He wasn't.

[enki23]

23. the story didn't mention whether he was well fed or watered.

they have no idea whether he was taken to the vet reasonably regularly. they have no idea whether the dog was always outside, with no shelter, day and night, and in bad weather.

they took it because they *assumed* those things. the rope burns, though i missed that part of it, might indicate actual abuse. or they may not have. that depends on location, severity, the actual circumstances in which they occurred. this article does not make it clear whether this person had any way of ascertaining *any* of that. and so story does not, in any way, make it clear was this animal was actually being abused. that, and only that, is my problem with this case. in the thousands, upon thousands of cases of actual animal abuse going on right now in this country, i'm entirely in favor of the persons responsible being prosecuted harshly and the animals removed to decent homes.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

25. The neighbor said it was left out all day, rain or shine, everyday.

"At one point, spotting a neighbor outside, she stopped and asked about the dog.

When Fly first arrived, the neighbor said, she was a playful, busy pup, but she bothered the farmer's cows and sheep and obsessively chased chickens, cars, and trucks.

Evidently, the farmer didn't realize that border collies aren't born knowing how to herd; it requires long, painstaking training before they'll go whizzing around on command. Pressed for time and money, farmers have little patience for creatures that have to be fed but can't be sold. But having paid $200 for Fly, the farmer figured he could at least use her as a watchdog. So, day and night, rain or shine, heat or cold, the dog lived out her life attached to a tree, barking and circling some of the time, lying down and staring at the road the rest.

The neighbor, disturbed by the sight, had actually called the police. But tethering was not illegal, the cops said. She was fed; she wasn't beaten; there was no crime."

[Modem Butterfly]

27. A dog given shelter at night doesn't get neck wounds

Moreover, the rescuer observed the dog. If she hadn't been outside at night, after all, how would she have been rescued? And in any event, the article also makes clear that the rescuer had spoken to the owner and asked him about his dog.

I can understand your concern that an overzealous, if casual oberver could become a dognapper. I have a Chow and a Shar-Pei, both with blue tongues. A few months ago we were out for a walk, and my Shar-Pei, who still pulls horribly on his leash, was panting heavily. An elderly man standing by his mailbox asked me to please loosen his color, couldn't I see that my poor dog was being strangled to death? I started to laugh, thinking that the guy was making a joke. He wasn't, and he pretty much called me a monster. I had to pry open my Chow's mouth and show him her tongue, and talk at length about the descent of the wrinkle dog before he calmed down. I still don't think he entirely believes me.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

12. Sometimes taking the dog is the only thing you can do.

My neighbor left his dog outside every day 24 hours a day. The dog lived in a hole it dug for herself under a work bench. Her name was Princess. Anyway, when he would come out, he would just beat the dog senseless and curse her.

I called the humane society and animal control multiple times, and they did nothing. Day in, day out, the dog stayed out in Chicago weather. 100 degrees in the summer, 10 below in the winter.

If I were old enough to take the dog I would have. And if he didn't like it, tough.

[shireen]

6. wow!

I love those people.

[lukasahero]

9. I didn't much like the attitude of the reporter though

"The fact that so many thousands of people devote themselves to this effort raises some important questions about our society's priorities,"

:wtf: ? I guess we should all only address the issues of homeless people or some other human "priority"?

After 9/11 my company at the time had some "recognition" day for those of us who do volunteer work. The ones "voted" by the management as the most "beneficial" received a large check to donate to their organization. We had to write a statement as to why we did what we did and why we should get the money.

At the time I was volunteering for a local animal shelter that was involved in "rescuing" animals that found themselves home- and owner-less in NYC. I had donated to the Red Cross as had apparently everyone else in the country but felt that the animals who were lost and abandoned in NY needed some help as well.

No one in the management of my company thought so though. 5 different charities were given money - Ducks frickin' Unlimited was given money but not a local shelter that was keeping these animals alive until they could find homes. (BTW, I'm a birder who studied ornithology so before you go off on me about the value of Ducks Unlimited, don't worry, I do get it. I also "get" that they get alot of money from hunters and sportsmen to support their programs.)

I guess it does say something about our priorities. Mine is to help the helpless whatever species they may be.

[Modem Butterfly]

10. The guy's a dog trainer who's adopting the dog in question himself

He's definitely an animal lover.

[lukasahero]

11. Wow, I totally missed that

until you pointed it out.

What's with his cracks about "our society's priorities" then? Grrr.

Thanks for pointing that out to me - I will now get over myself. :silly:

[Modem Butterfly]

13. I've read his stuff before.

He takes a hard line on people who anthropormorphize dogs, believing it sets up impossible expectations for the dogs and disappointment for the owners. On that count, he's right. Too many of us, myself included, credit our critters with having human emotions and thought processes. That's not fair to them and it's not good for our relationships with them.

I think his statement on society's priorities tie in with the fact that so many animals need help: The immediate senteces proceeding your quote are "And there are millions of dogs—nearly 10 million in the shelter system, many others mistreated in private homes—in need of rescuing. We will not run out anytime soon."

But that's just my take.

[ernstbass]

14. Check out this website

www.dogsdeservebetter.com They are a voice for chained and penned animals. I downloaded some letters to owners who chain their dogs and I mail them out whenI see a chained dog. this is a great organization!

[napi21]

16. I volunteer for a dog rescue group, but wouldn't break the law.

Our group is a national org. and always operate in a professional manner. It is always wrong to "steal" a pet because you don't agree with the way they are being treated. There are other ways to approach the owner and get the dog legaly.

As to helping dogs instead of people...
First, there are many organizations that help people in almost every situation of need. At least SOME people could help themsselves, or find help. Some actually put themselves into a needy situation.

NO dog puts itself in a needy state. They CAN'T help themselves! Yes, there are humane society groups, animal shelters, etc, but they are very underfunded, and save for the "no kill" shelters, they are forced to euthanize millions of pets every year.

We are completely self funded, and have saved thousands of dogs in the 6 years we've been in existance.

[flvegan]

20. I run a rescue and have broken the law.

It's not always wrong to liberate a pet. When the local animal cops refuse to respond, and a dog is a 4 on a 1 to 5 scale of emaciation, I say screw it, cut the chain. I say that when a vet that lives next door to a home, shows me a dog that lives on a 2 foot leash, in his own waste, and the animal cops don't care, that dog needs to go. I say that when a dog is witnessed being beaten, daily, but the animal cops don't catch them doing it, and a camera isn't an option, then a drive-by swiping is mandatory.

I'm guess nothing more than a common thief, and I keep boltcutters in my trunk.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

24. I disagree. A dog is not an object and therefore not the owner's property

that he or she can do with as they like. I don't care what a person does with themselves, their house, their car or anything they own. But a living thing is not an object that is to be owned by anyone else and subject to their discretion. Why the hell should the animal pay for their owner's incompetance?

[napi21]

26. You're absolutely right, except I don't believe in breaking the law

and getting into trouble yourselef to accomplish you end result.

I view the dog not as an object, but as a responsibility the same as children are. No they shouldn't be able to do what they want with them, but you should intervein within the laws.

Some states have laws that need to be changed, and we must all work toward that.

[SuffragetteSal]

17. great story & link Modem Butterfly!

Here is another I will call 'how we recued Poppy'. Our realtor after seeing our 2 small dogs told us of her neighbor who had a small dog also that was left outdoors for months now, cold and lonely in his dog house at the end of the property. She said she was very concerned about him since the weather had turned freezing and she often played with the dog and brought him treats, clipped his nails and snuggled with him. His owners seemed not to care at all about him, in fact she had seen the children being very mean to him.

My husband couldn't stop thinking about the little guy out in the cold and called the realtor one night whom quickly made a phone call to her neighbors who agreed to give up the dog that very same night. At 10 p.m. we went over to their house and picked up the dog, whom we renamed Johnny Angel. After a month on antibiotics and several trips to the vet, he is thriving and never again will have to sleep out in the cold.

Our bed is crowded with 3 dogs and a cat, but it is a happy household!

So I suppose the moral of the story is sometimes owners will gladly relinguish their pets and only for the asking...

'Johnny Angel'

[jdj]

18. God bless you.

It is awesome when people just hand them over.

With mine, I asked them for her, and they said they wouldn't give her up.

I said, "she's such a cute dog" and he said "no, she's a pain in the ass."

Thats when I knew.

[Modem Butterfly]

19. Some rescue groups will try to buy dogs from abusers

This is especially common in areas with a lot of puppy mills, such as Missouri and Kansas. They'll try to buy the dogs at auction to get them out of the system. Removing the dogs without the owner's permission should always be a last resort, IMHO.

[SuffragetteSal]

28. i hope it worked out for you

and you finally got her...

Looks like this thread got moved on us, :)