Expert: Robin Flynn - 5/28/2006

Question
Robin,
I have two questions.
The first is that our neighbors have a Siberian Huskie that is about 4-5 months old. They leave the dog outside (fenced in) all day long. It has been extremely hot out, so the dog has been trying to dig a hole in the ground I assume to try to get to a place that's cool.
There really is no spot that is totally shaded.
At night they put him in the garage and that is where he stays until morning and they put him right back in the yard.
He does his business in the garage and the back yard.  He has never been trained.
I just found out last night from my neighbor or the other side of me that she was talking with one of the young girls that live in the house, and that they are not intending to get the dog fixed because they want it to be a watchdog.
I don't know if they even take it to a vet, but I seriously doubt it.
We live in a townhouse so we are RIGHT next door to each other. When we come out of the house the dog immediately runs over to the fence and tries to jump it to come over to our house.
We have two Golden Retrievers.
My biggest concern is the health of the puppy.
The other concern I have is if this dog is not given it's proper shots and is near enough to our dog it could cause serious problems.
The people that live next door our foreigners.
I'm am not sure if they are Muslim or Iranian, or Pakistan.
I am not the type of person that can stand back and watch someone use an animal for such things, nor can I keep quiet about an animal not getting the proper care.
What can I do to help this dog?  

Answer
Hi Debbie,

Let me start by saying, thank you for caring about this poor dog, So many people take animals for granted and unfortunately many times it’s simply because they are uneducated to the needs of a companion animal. It’s difficult for me to answer your question from a legal standpoint because I do not know where you live and many animal control laws are dictated by state laws or city ordinance. However, from the information you gave, I would assume they would be in violation for not providing shelter. And they may be in violation for tethering an animal or tethering an animal for an extended period of time please click this link to see if this applies to your city. I’m not sure if this is an issue. (http://www.helpinganimals.com/ga_tetherLegislation.asp) However, before calling animal control if you feel comfortable speaking with them, I would suggest helping them first. It may be that they just don’t understand how to properly care for a dog or it may be  a very foreign concept to them. I always fear that when animal control shows up and they might get mad and take it out on the animal. It’s really a judgment call and it can be difficult to start a conversation like this. Although, it may be helpful to bring in a local activist to help. (http://www.worldanimal.net/  or call the ASPCA and ask if they know of any local organization that can help you) The links below will provide you with facts and a brochure that you can pass on to your neighbors and also links to organizations that may be able to help you. It sounds like you live in a neighborhood that would be open to starting a neighborhood watch for animals. Sometimes these program stop abuse just because they exist. See the link below.
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_NeighborhoodWatch.php

Inside these links are additional links that may be helpful. It is important that they socialize the dog properly because he could have behavior issues when he ages, such as constant barking and this may become a nuisance to you and other neighbors.
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BackyardDogs.php

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HelpingAbusedAnimals.php

This link will explain why he is digging and help you understand behavioral issues.
http://www.cuhumane.org/topics/alone.html

Again, depending on where you live, it may be required by law that the dog has a license and to obtain a license he may need  paperwork showing that he has received his rabies shot. This may not prove he has received all his shots but I would hope a vet would push the family to get all the shots the puppy needs. This may be a question that you can ask your vet, he will know the laws in your area or simply call your local animal control and they will tell you.

Your neighborhood doenst sound weird at all, actually it sounds the like the norm, and I am so glad someone like you is watching out for the animals. I hope I was able to point you in the right direction. If you need additional information or you can’t get the answers you need please write back and I will do what I can to help.

For the animals,
Robin