matt770 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I would like to know if these conditions are considered cruel, borderline cruel, simply less than optimal, or just fine by the animal-lover/breeder/veterinary community. I have my own opinion but would like to hear others. A female boxer is kept outside in a 6'x8' chain-link kennel. There is a small doghouse provided for shelter from the elements. Each day her owner brings her some food and fresh water, and removes her waste twice per week, on average. The dog is occasionally (maybe once or twice a month?) taken inside to spend the night, and returned to the kennel in the morning. Once in a while, someone in the family takes her for a short walk, and sometimes she might get to run around when the owners are visiting friends with a fenced yard -- but these occasions are a rarity, maybe 4 times per year, on average. In a typical week, the dog spends 99 to 100% of her time in the kennel, with any variation from this being an exception from the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Sounds cruel to me (although I have no official training on dogs). The books I read before getting my dog said if you don't have at least one hour a day to play with your dog, that you shouldn't get one. Keeping a dog in a kennel more than 8-9 hours was seen as cruel (I believe the book was Raising a Puppy You Can Live With). Everything I read said that a kennel was a good place to keep a dog when you were not home. They are descendants of wolves and prefer to have a "den" of sorts. But that doesn't mean you can leave them cooped up for extended periods without it being mentally cruel. Not sure what your relationship to the situation is but it'd be something to look into to see if you can file a legal complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cre8tiff Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Doesn't appear to be anything illegal in that situation. Whether or not this is cruel is a matter of perspective, I expect. Personally, I would vote cruel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 It's definitely less that ideal, but I wouldn't go as far as say it is cruel. I have two boxers myself. One is an indoor dog, the other is an outdoor dog. The indoor dog gets a ton of attention but is rarely walked. The outdoor dog is in a 15' x 35 grass and concrete' kennel but is walked almost every day, fed twice a day and played with for five or ten minutes during the evening feeding every night. He has a house that cost me about $350 in just materials to build. During the winter if it gets too cold he is brought in, but is kenneled in the laundry room in wire kennel, but here in this part of Texas that is about 10 days a year at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 Sounds cruel to me (although I have no official training on dogs). The books I read before getting my dog said if you don't have at least one hour a day to play with your dog, that you shouldn't get one. Keeping a dog in a kennel more than 8-9 hours was seen as cruel (I believe the book was Raising a Puppy You Can Live With). Everything I read said that a kennel was a good place to keep a dog when you were not home. They are descendants of wolves and prefer to have a "den" of sorts. But that doesn't mean you can leave them cooped up for extended periods without it being mentally cruel. Not sure what your relationship to the situation is but it'd be something to look into to see if you can file a legal complaint. This all goes along with what I've heard about dogs' needs. I was being very generous when I said the dog is walked or taken to a fenced yard occasionally. I've seen the jackass take her for a drive once and saw someone else in the house walk her once. Most of her existence is spent pacing around, barking at cats and humans, and gnawing at the cage trying to get out. I would love to file a complaint, but the dog in question and her idiot owner are in very close proximity, and our local SPCA is notorious for incompetence and lax animal cruelty laws. Bitching would only get my truck keyed. Same dude has a motorcycle that he keeps out on the patio, a neon green Kawasaki. One time he took it for a ride around the neighborhood for about 5 minutes, other than that he just occasionally turns the ignition and revs it to the max decibel level, then shuts it off. He also has a car but no job and rarely leaves the house, and a girlfriend that I can only assume he never has sex with. I have this problem where I try to understand people. My theory thus far is that he keeps the dog so he can relate to something that takes up space but serves no purpose whatsoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 My theory thus far is that he keeps the dog so he can relate to something that takes up space but serves no purpose whatsoever. Sounds like the political threads in the Tailgate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 It's cruel and should be reported. The "keying the car" thing is easily deterred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 sounds absolutely miserable ...queue Sugar Mag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Too many people have no business being pet owners. I would say this is cruel, but if you're local SPCA isn't going to help you out, who else could you call? cops? not sure what they would do in this situation, as i'm not sure it's illegal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 sounds absolutely miserable ...queue Sugar Mag +1 Sug....where are you??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellab Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I have never figured out way people have a pet that they do nothing with. I say this as my wife is feeding my hunting dog popcorn inside of our house. I hate to see situations that you described. Technically they are not doing anything wrong, but I sure wish something could be done about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 That is a cruel existence IMO. I have no idea if it is illegal, but that dog is just going insane out there cooped up all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Technically they are not doing anything wrong, but I sure wish something could be done about it. Bingo, and this is especially the mindset of our SPCA, sheriff, and it seems, most residents here. Since this kind of thing seems relatively common, I wondered if maybe a few people would say it's not as bad as it looks. We made a hugh mistake moving here, I've already acknowledged that for so many other reasons. Watching this dog suffer is just one of the trials we endure, waiting for conditions to improve to allow us to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I would love to file a complaint, but the dog in question and her idiot owner are in very close proximity, and our local SPCA is notorious for incompetence and lax animal cruelty laws. Bitching would only get my truck keyed. And you can't make an anonymous call because-? Are you the only one who lives close to him, or would he "know" it's you? Too many people have no business being pet owners. Or parents. Bingo, and this is especially the mindset of our SPCA, sheriff, and it seems, most residents here. Plenty of others too. "It's just a dog" [vickheads] Pathetic and warped, frankly. So how's the weather in Hampton VA anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 And you can't make an anonymous call because-? Are you the only one who lives close to him, or would he "know" it's you? 'Ol Bobby at the SPCA would come out in his white van to take a look, see the food and fresh water and the doghouse, and conclude that the dog has food and shelter. Good enough for him. I am the sore thumb in the neighborhood. I walk around with an odd contraption that spreads stuff all over my lawn to keep it green and weedless, I sweep up trash in the common areas, and I walk around all high-falutin' in my fancy shoes and shirt. They would know it's me. One time I came home from the gym and a cop was just leaving the area, I have no idea why he was here. My wife was home but did not hear or see anything unusual. The next day, wife comes home from work, neighbor mutters "cop lover" and "Yeah, you BETTER get in your house". So we are the default cop-callers in their mind, even when we are minding our own business. I have already endured a yearlong ordeal involving a crazy cat lady in this neighborhood, false criminal charges, rumors, and vandalism to my truck that I detailed in another thread. I'm done trying to be a positive influence here, as it only attracts harassment. Pains me to say that, but the stress has been almost unbearable, especially for my wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cre8tiff Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) 'Ol Bobby at the SPCA would come out in his white van to take a look, see the food and fresh water and the doghouse, and conclude that the dog has food and shelter. Good enough for him. I am the sore thumb in the neighborhood. I walk around with an odd contraption that spreads stuff all over my lawn to keep it green and weedless, I sweep up trash in the common areas, and I walk around all high-falutin' in my fancy shoes and shirt. They would know it's me. One time I came home from the gym and a cop was just leaving the area, I have no idea why he was here. My wife was home but did not hear or see anything unusual. The next day, wife comes home from work, neighbor mutters "cop lover" and "Yeah, you BETTER get in your house". So we are the default cop-callers in their mind, even when we are minding our own business. I have already endured a yearlong ordeal involving a crazy cat lady in this neighborhood, false criminal charges, rumors, and vandalism to my truck that I detailed in another thread. I'm done trying to be a positive influence here, as it only attracts harassment. Pains me to say that, but the stress has been almost unbearable, especially for my wife. Sounds a lot like you are in the wrong neighborhood. "Cop Lover?" Absolutely. Anyone that would use that as a curse is up to no good. It's like roaches, you see one, there is a lot worse you AREN'T seeing. The dog is the least of it. You need to make plans to move when the market is better. EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see your other thread. I'm sorry about your situation. Edited October 27, 2009 by cre8tiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Sounds a lot like you are in the wrong neighborhood. "Cop Lover?" Absolutely. Anyone that would use that as a curse is up to no good. It's like roaches, you see one, there is a lot worse you AREN'T seeing. The dog is the least of it. +1 I don't know what kind of jackass says that but it's not good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 With the psychopathic neighbor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 Update: The moron POS next door has replaced the chain-link kennel with a framed wooden box. Plywood floor, walls, and roof, no windows. Same size. So in addition to being cooped up in a box, now the dog cannot even see outside. Not sure why the moron POS did this; perhaps to lessen the noise level of the constant barking. Doesn't work though -- he has actually created an echo chamber which makes the barking sound even louder than before. With no ventilation I'm sure it will be stifling in there in the summertime, assuming the dog doesn't perish from insanity by then. He also added a second dog to the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I love dogs more than people....this pisses me off to no end. The laws in most states are pretty horrible as well....as long as the dog can turn around, it's not cruelty here, I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveby Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Never understood why people buy a dog and leave it chained up outside 24/7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Update: The moron POS next door has replaced the chain-link kennel with a framed wooden box. Plywood floor, walls, and roof, no windows. Same size. So in addition to being cooped up in a box, now the dog cannot even see outside. Not sure why the moron POS did this; perhaps to lessen the noise level of the constant barking. Doesn't work though -- he has actually created an echo chamber which makes the barking sound even louder than before. With no ventilation I'm sure it will be stifling in there in the summertime, assuming the dog doesn't perish from insanity by then. He also added a second dog to the box. Matt, are you in Hampton, VA? I am in Chesapeake. PETA is in Norfolk. Yeah, it would be over the top but I think you would get results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 Yeah, it would be over the top but I think you would get results. Results like these? Same house, different POS, date 4/19/08: Charge No: 001Description:BURGLARY-FIRST DEGREE Charge No: 002Description:BURGLARY-FOURTH DEGREE Charge No: 003Description:ASSAULT-SEC DEGREE Charge No: 004Description:RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT Charge No: 005Description:RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT Charge No: 006Description:RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT Charge No: 007Description:DISORDERLY CONDUCT Charge No: 008Description:MAL DESTR PROP VALUE + $500 Sounds like a day's work doesn't it? I would have paid that nice EMT and her fireman boyfriend $10,000 not to sell that house and just stick it out with us. Seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I would seriously sneak into their backyard when you know they're not home and take the dogs and bring them somewhere they'll never find 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Never understood why people buy a dog and leave it chained up outside 24/7. + millions. I'd like to chain the m'f'er owners up and beat them with a stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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