animal rescuers - resources - support

[VuDu]

We used to have a skunk for a pet growing up. I don't know if I would say he made the best pet but he definitely was one of the greatest. My uncle found him while he and my b-i-l were hunting and brought him home. He behaved as part of the family within the week. We were a wild bunch, too.

We didn't have Sharky's scent glands removed. We just learned to be careful when he got too riled.

They are quite intelligent creatures. I can understand why people would try to domesticate them. Not that I am condoning this, mind you.... just my 2 cents.

[Rockinonahigh]

Say folks wanna pass something by yall.My next door neighbor has a huge dog and for as long as I have lived hear (3years) he has been tied to a tree,they take care of him and he has a big igloo to sleep in but is never off the chain..unless he breaks it.He gets along with the other dogs cause they dont fight and are loose in the yard with him being tied tied the tree.The dog is black and very broad headed and his hair hangs down in ropes wich are his breed standard not cause of him not beng groomed.I dont want to call the pound cause if they do pick him up he is on a one way ticket out cause theses ppl at the pound would rather gass them than find them a home.this dog is huge like over a 100 pounds..The owners arent the friendlest ppl but not rude either,just not into talking to anyone,cause I have tryed to bring up the dog in a friendly convo over the fence...its hi ,hello and gone...

[VuDu]

Rockin,

Over in our parish (Ouachita) it is legal to have the dog on the chain as long as it has swivel ends and the rope/chain is at least 5 times the length of the animal. If the other animals have the freedom to run around, I am curious as to why that particular dog is restricted.

Would they be receptive to a visit from a concerned neighbor who has access to a behavior specialist? (yes, that would be you lol)

[Rockinonahigh]

No the chain isnt any where near 5 times the length of the dog,more like 3.He dosent seen unhappy with it but I dont see how he could be happy tied to a tree.I have tryed to talk to them about the dog and will contenue to do so.I hope I can get them to tell me about him and maybe I can find out if he has any probs they cant handle..it would take superman to lead this elephant anywhere.I doubt they have the ablity to do so or they would have by now.I will get back to u on this.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Rockin,

I would be worried about the chain around the dogs neck. It could be growing in his/her skin. Then the dog would have to have surgery to have the chain removed. I just cannot imagine anyone doing this to any animal, but yet it happens all the time.

You are a good man to do this Rockin.

Andrew

[violaine]

hi. i met with the chief animal control officer earlier this afternoon, and we spoke for two hours. later on, i will post to this thread about the meeting, which went very well.

here are a few ideas about the tethered dog next door, please, as i am founder of a committee who handle calls about chained/tethered dogs all of the time. now, bear in mind we tend to get 'creative' with situations/people. circumstances [human behaviour] will not be the same, and also, if i do not have any luck at the address, someone else on my team may try to visit at another time.

always remain respectful. no matter what! it's worth it - for the dear dog to keep lines of communication positive/open. the people may be a change of heart the very next day.

have you contacted the local humane society to see if there is a humane educator, or a committee who accepts calls for evaluating chained/tethered dogs?

if there is such a committee, like ours for example, we have funds to supply the human[s] with equipment [until ordinances/laws here are amended and passed for limited hours tethered, and/or a ban. i think if your animal control shelter is using gas for euthanasia, that is the worst, and you are not terribly far behind my county- who are just now coming into the 21st century as an animal control shelter].

another option, if no such committee exists, is to gently approach the people yourself, and if you can afford to purchase a trolley offer it to the family- some of these systems are 100', and will, if properly installed, be safe for the dog and provide a great deal more exercise than what is available at the moment for the dog living next door to you.

i try scenarios [believe me, i've come up with lots!] like: i was wondering if you all could use this trolley, my auntie gave it to me because i thought of adopting a dog. changed my mind, and i do not need it. i noticed you have a dog. would you like help putting it up for him/her?

variations of story work- just whatever feels comfortable to you. with the supplies we have, [food/dog houses/trolley systems, et c], sometimes i will stop and communicate to the people that i am driving around trying to give away excess supplies because summer is upon us, and we have limited storage. we try to keep it real simple. people can feel embarrassed and/or defensive, but most often we find the opposite is true, and the dogs are happier in the end. which makes the people feel better and possibly more open to even bringing the dog inside some of the time [another lengthy post! if i am lucky enough to talk my foot into the door with the humans ]

i hope the situation improves for the dog. thank you for noticing and caring.

belle

[violaine]

http://www.unchainyourdog.org/Trolley.htm

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by violaine

hi. i met with the chief animal control officer earlier this afternoon, and we spoke for two hours. later on, i will post to this thread about the meeting, which went very well.

belle

You know I am dying to find out how well this went!

Belle, you always kickass...!

So, I will be anxiously awaiting the fantastic results...

[WolfyOne]

I don't comment much these days on this thread, but i do read it regularly.

Belle, you're doing such a great job and I thought I'd at least post and tell you......keep on keeping on.