If you know someone is harming their pet what would you do?

@TriciaW (2441)
United States
July 11, 2007 8:17am CST
If you knew they weren't feeding their pet or leaving them out in the high heat without water what would you do? Would you take the pet? Would you call animal control? With the weather being the way it is this can happen a lot. What would you do if anything to help the pet? I have done both take in the pet and call animal control but I know some people perfer to mind their own business. What about you?
8 people like this
22 responses
@tuffy999 (794)
• Philippines
11 Jul 07
i will talk to the owner first and if they still abuse their pet i will take the pet and report them to the authorities.
2 people like this
• South Africa
11 Jul 07
I would most certainly take it away from them. People like that don't deserve to have pets. Although you could get into a spot of trouble if the owners lay a charge etc. Animal control would be the next best thing. My only issue with that is that they already have so many unwanted animals to deal with, i would hate for the poor thing to end up being put down.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Jul 07
I would call the Humane Society and ask that my identity remain hidden which most will do. The Humane Society is the agency that prevents cruelty to critters, not animal control. Animal control simply keeps their numbers under control. Taking the animal is illegal and the owner, even if he or she is neglectful or abusive of the animal, can turn violent against you. The Humane Society will provide you with the legal answers you seek and the aid to the animal you want.
@fredgame (1260)
• China
11 Jul 07
Depending on the relationship between the pet owner and i, if there is good relationship i wouldn't mind to take care of it. this is because for other people you may be doing good to their pet but the comment that they may give on seeing you with their pet may be hurting and resentment may result from that and therefore bitter relationship.
2 people like this
@Lucille7 (509)
• South Africa
11 Jul 07
I will definitely call animal anti cruelty. I would and could never just leave it alone. Shame those animals do not deserve to be treated badly. I have always said that domestic animals are heavenly fathers little intellegences... I love them so much.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Jul 07
I would call animal control just because everyone seems to be litigation happy these days (I'd probably get arrested for dog napping if I took the animal in). Regardless of the situation, I always do something to try and get the animal taken care of.
2 people like this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
11 Jul 07
Unless I knew the neighbor very well, I would call the animal control. It's just to dangerous to directly confront people nowadays. I have a very low opinion of people who won't take proper care of their pets. They shouldn't even be allowed to have them.
1 person likes this
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
12 Jul 07
If i was completely sure of what the situation was I would call animal control. I think its sad the way people treat their pets. If you can't take care of it, get rid of it.
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I couldn't imagine minding my own business and allowing another living creature to suffer because the poor animal got an idiot for an owner. I would call animal control to report the situation. I would explain to the person at animal control that I am going to provide the poor animal with food and water. I would also try to set up some kind of shelter for the animal if I could. I would take some before and after photos of the situation. It would be against the law here for me to remove the animal from the owners yard. I have removed the animal once and I was the one punished not the owner.
@katkat3 (425)
12 Jul 07
I would definately have to call the pet welfare people! I couldn't bare to watch an animal being mistreated!
@dbhattji (2506)
• India
12 Jul 07
That is something I can never do - mind my own business when it is a question of innocent animals being hurt. I confront the owners first and usually that solves the problem. I have even returned goods that I bought from a local store because the storekeeper hit a stray dog in my presence.
@Snickey (157)
• United States
11 Jul 07
Hi TriciaW! I have reported people before when I have seen dogs left in their owner's cars on hot days. Even if it is only 70 degrees outside, the interior of the car has a temperature of 90 degrees or above! It makes me sick to see the poor little things stuck inside while their selfish owners shop, or even run a quick errand. I would also take in the pet, and I would first try to get permission from the owner to do so. If they refused to take care of their own pet, then, I would report it to animal control. I wouldn't wait any period of time whatso ever if the animal were left outside for prolonged periods of time to suffer in the heat or cold. It makes me so sad to see them suffering.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I would not just take someone elses pet. That just happened to one of my co workers daughters and the girl was heartbroken. The woman that took her dog, was mistaken in her assesment of the situation and thought the dog had been tied outside our work all day with no food and water. it had only been there a few mins. while the girl visited her mom. If I were sure the animal was being neglected or abused, i would call the animal shelter and let them take care of it. animals are at the mercy of their owners and can't get help for themselves.
@narcof (65)
11 Jul 07
I'd call the local responsible animal authority, and explain the situation, find out what action they will take, if any, and if they aren't willing/able to take action to change the situation, then I'd probably take in the pet myself, and deal with the consequences later - these kind of abuses shouldn't be allowed to happen. In fact, we took in a dog that way when I was younger, and once he recovered from his ordeal he became a well-loved member of the family.
@AmbiePam (84651)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Well, there is no way I would do nothing. I couldn't stand myself if I let it go by without action. I'd probably ask the owner if I could have the pet or possibly buy for a low price. If that didn't work, I would go straight to the Humane Society. People who abuse animals, often go on to abuse humans.
• India
12 Jul 07
I think you did the right thing by calling the animal control. I have not seen directly any owner mistreating their pets till now. But if I do I'll also do the same.
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I call animal control, and if the animal in question looks like it's in need of immediate care (feeding, cooling, etc) I do whatever I can. Someone's gotta speak up for the animal, since most owners like that regard barking as being a bother and not a communication. For me, people who don't treat their pets with care and love are right up there on the list with child predators. I don't mean people who don't have a lot of money who buy cheap food for the animals. Because I've been there, and I know that buying cheap food doesn't mean I love them less.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
I would like to say I would call animal control but the truth is I mind my own business. We have many stray cats here that I give food and water to but I wouldn't call. Just try to help the animal. A family a few houses down had their dog taken away because they left him tied to a doghouse all the time in the winter. Next spring they got a new dog and the old one was put to sleep. So I don't know I would make waves with the humans by calling just for them to get a "new puppy" later.
• United States
12 Jul 07
Oh my god, I can't bear seeing animals mistreated. If I was in you're shoes, no matter if they are good neighbors to me or not, I would still report it. They should make sure their pets are left with enough water and food. On really hot days, they should let them in, if they know their going to be out for the whole day and leave the AC running low. I mean seriosly. My dad's dog became mine after my parents moved. I took care of him til his last days. When it was hot and cold and I knew I was going to be long, I made sure my neighbor downstairs would check on him. Same thing with my cat & kitten, I do the same thing... We even leave the lights on during the night so they can see themselves around, hahah :)
11 Jul 07
id call the RSPCA