Animal welfare emergency advice needed.

[pstinard]

The puppy has been kept indoors for the past few days, and the cage never reappeared out back, so I think that they are going to keep Lightning inside where he belongs. The mother and son brought Lightning around to my house yesterday afternoon when they give me a piece of mail that had been misdelivered. Lightning seemed happy and healthy. I petted him and rubbed his fur, and he wanted to stay. The mother ended up carrying Lightning back home, but she did it gently, and she wasn't angry, so I think things are getting better.

I told them that I had ID'd Lightning as a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Proper socialization will be critical, but he seems well-adjusted and friendly at the present time. I want to be sure it stays that way.

My next goal is to discreetly inquire about whether Lightning has been taken to the vet for a physical checkup, vaccinations, and heartworm treatment. The family had a dog 20 years ago when the mother was just a little girl, so I know that the grandmother knows how to care for a dog. I plan to ask the question about vet care the next time I see them outdoors. If they haven't picked a vet yet, I'll recommend my vet as well as the University of Illinois Small Animal Clinic.

We have another neighbor across the street who owns two dogs. They are very responsible pet owners. I might mention my concerns to them and ask them to look out for Lightning's well-being as well. I am of the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a Staffy .

Edit: Bella is in love with Lightning, but I'm not going to allow direct contact between them until Lightning has been taken to the vet for vaccinations and physical exam.

[pstinard]

Lightning got loose today while no one was home, and a neighbor found him, chained him up, and called Animal Control. Unfortunately, it's too late in the day for Animal Control to come over and pick up Lightning. The grandmother arrived home and ignored Lightning chained up outside. Our other neighbor went over and talked to the grandmother and the grandmother told her, "He's not my dog." There is nothing we can do, and evening is approaching with poor Lightning chained up outside all alone. We are livid. I suggesting taking Lightning to the Humane Society, which is still open, but the other neighbor said that would be theft. Poor Lightning. Attached is a photo of Lightning.

[maxdog]

Does he have food and water? If not I would give him some. Such a sad face.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by maxdog

Does he have food and water? If not I would give him some. Such a sad face.

Yes. One neighbor took over a water bowl, and I took over a food bowl. I'll check both one more time before bedtime. I called the Humane Society, and they told me that there is nothing that can be done before morning, and even then, Animal Control will send someone over to just talk to the owner, but won't take the dog away unless they file paperwork for a court order to do so. In the meantime, a bunch of us neighbors are sad and furious.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Yes. One neighbor took over a water bowl, and I took over a food bowl. I'll check both one more time before bedtime. I called the Humane Society, and they told me that there is nothing that can be done before morning, and even then, Animal Control will send someone over to just talk to the owner, but won't take the dog away unless they file paperwork for a court order to do so. In the meantime, a bunch of us neighbors are sad and furious.

For those who are wondering how yesterday's incident was resolved, here is an update:

In the evening, I heard a car door slam and the car drove away quickly. I went outside and saw that Lightning had DISAPPEARED. I went around to various neighbors and ask if they knew what was going on. They said no. I start looking around the neighborhood for Lightning, who I thought had got loose from his chain. The mother, her boyfriend, and her son arrive home while I'm outside looking for Lightning, and they are FRANTIC. I tell them that Lightning is either loose, or has been stolen. I take the son and we start going house to house to ask if anyone saw anything. Then the mother gets a call from the Humane Society. It turns out that the grandmother had taken Lightning to the Humane Society, and they turned her away because it was not her dog and she did not have the authority to turn it in. They told her to take Lightning back home. While we are waiting for Lightning's return, the boyfriend is extremely angry. "Oh no, she better not have stolen my dog!" I go back into my house because I don't want to see the scene that transpires when Lightning is brought back by the grandmother. After about an hour, I go back outside and see the son playing with Lightning, and peace has been restored. Another day in my neighborhood.

This morning, everything is peaceful. No sign of Lightning. I assume that the boyfriend, who is the person who gifted Lightning in the first place, has taken Lightning home with him. I expect that Animal Control will be paying the household a visit this morning. Only the grandmother is home, so I'm hoping that she gets the lecture she deserves on how to care for a puppy in her care.

-----

During all that transpired last night, Bella was extremely upset, running around the house barking and panting. Bella absolutely loves Lightning, and I think she was sad to see how he was being treated by the grandmother. Here are a couple of songs that Bella was singing upon Lightning's return :

You Tube

You Tube

In case those two songs don't load properly in your browser, they are "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels and "Leader of the Pack" by the Shangri-Las.

[Lovetodream88]

One of the most important things when getting a pet is making sure that everyone in the house is ok with it or those kinda things happen. I feel bad for the dog but its probably not a good situation for any pup to be in.

[matese]

Originally Posted by pstinard

For those who are wondering how yesterday's incident was resolved, here is an update:

In the evening, I heard a car door slam and the car drove away quickly. I went outside and saw that Lightning had DISAPPEARED. I went around to various neighbors and ask if they knew what was going on. They said no. I start looking around the neighborhood for Lightning, who I thought had got loose from his chain. The mother, her boyfriend, and her son arrive home while I'm outside looking for Lightning, and they are FRANTIC. I tell them that Lightning is either loose, or has been stolen. I take the son and we start going house to house to ask if anyone saw anything. Then the mother gets a call from the Humane Society. It turns out that the grandmother had taken Lightning to the Humane Society, and they turned her away because it was not her dog and she did not have the authority to turn it in. They told her to take Lightning back home. While we are waiting for Lightning's return, the boyfriend is extremely angry. "Oh no, she better not have stolen my dog!" I go back into my house because I don't want to see the scene that transpires when Lightning is brought back by the grandmother. After about an hour, I go back outside and see the son playing with Lightning, and peace has been restored. Another day in my neighborhood.

This morning, everything is peaceful. No sign of Lightning. I assume that the boyfriend, who is the person who gifted Lightning in the first place, has taken Lightning home with him. I expect that Animal Control will be paying the household a visit this morning. Only the grandmother is home, so I'm hoping that she gets the lecture she deserves on how to care for a puppy in her care.

-----

During all that transpired last night, Bella was extremely upset, running around the house barking and panting. Bella absolutely loves Lightning, and I think she was sad to see how he was being treated by the grandmother. Here are a couple of songs that Bella was singing upon Lightning's return :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuofNHKbVc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM_99DtI0tE

In case those two songs don't load properly in your browser, they are "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels and "Leader of the Pack" by the Shangri-Las.

Hahahahaha,too funny.
Poor lighting, hope he stays at the BF for ever, seems granny's not fond of poor lil pup.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Poor puppy, coming into even the most responsible and loving of doglover's homes, newly separated from his mom and birth home can be quite a lot to handle and adjust to but this poor pup seems to have an uneven course at best in his new quarters. Glad he's got you and Bella and other concerned neighbors on his side if bf returns him.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Poor puppy, coming into even the most responsible and loving of doglover's homes, newly separated from his mom and birth home can be quite a lot to handle and adjust to but this poor pup seems to have an uneven course at best in his new quarters. Glad he's got you and Bella and other concerned neighbors on his side if bf returns him.

The boyfriend returned Lightning to the neighbors, but they are treating him better. He has not gotten loose again, and they don't leave him chained up outside alone all day any more. We're still monitoring the situation. I believe that Lightning's situation with the neighbors is temporary, and he will be moved to a better location by the start of summer.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by pstinard

The boyfriend returned Lightning to the neighbors, but they are treating him better. He has not gotten loose again, and they don't leave him chained up outside alone all day any more. We're still monitoring the situation. I believe that Lightning's situation with the neighbors is temporary, and he will be moved to a better location by the start of summer.

I hope he does find a better home! Again, it's so refreshing to see someone who cares enough to act in an animal's behalf.

[pstinard]

This morning, we saw Lightning had caught his chain in a pile of branches next to his dog house and was stuck out in the cold rain last night. We pounded on the neighbor's door, but no one answered. I broke off the branches and pulled the chain loose, and Lightning is free to go in his dog house. We are pissed off.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Such cruelty to a helpless pup! Water and lack of sun along with nothing to nest in to keep his body warmth contained can sure quickly remove needed heat from any size body, be it human or canine. Think of the hours he spent wet, cold and unprotected from the elements, all alone outdoors away from his pack that he instinctively needs to sleep near. Poor little baby!

Without visual evidence of the puppy's chain being caught up in those branches and evidence that it rained and a record of the temperature during the night, AC likely cannot act. I would call them, tell them what you observed with the chain and branches preventing access to shelter and how the weather exposure seemed to affect the puppy, and ask what I could do to gain the evidence they need to act in this pup's behalf.

I'll never understand people that can slap a young new pup outdoors, chain the poor baby so it can't live a normal, happy dog's life, couldn't even protect itself from another critter, shut away from its humans and apparently care nothing for its safety or quality of life. Keep caring, Phil. We are with you and praying for this baby.