Should I Call Animal Control???
 

So the backstory is I live on an army base with my family and my neighbors have husky mix that's Beautiful I'll call her "Anne". So when Anne was a younger puppy she always escaped by digging under her fence into my yard and I'd let her in, feed her, give her water, sometimes a bath and keep her until her owners came home. She escaped about 4 or 5 times that I know of and finally my neighbor blocked the fence to where she couldnt dig into our yard(she would never try to go into the neighbor on the other side of their home's yard). On a few occasions when I've been outside gardening I've seen Anne in the backyard digging holes and trying to interact with my bulldog Roxie and I. One afternoon there were a few empty beer cans/bottles in their grass and I saw Anne licking at one.:mad: so I distracted her away from it and went by the neighbors and let them know alcohol is very bad for dogs(which they should know). I've seen Anne outside for long periods of time (it seems like if I go out for something she's always out there). And since this is an army base everyone pretty much has the same schedules I can pretty much guarantee she's outside from 9 til 3 or later. This was my breaking point. Yesterday I saw Anne eating a broken Dixie cup(yknow the red ones?). So am I being too "emotional" as my husband says or should I just call AC? Unfortunately I can't bring her to my home because goodness knows if they kept up with her vacs and Rasta hasn't had all his.

If you are talking about the Solo cups, no you are not over reacting. I was in the EC one night and a beagle was brought in bleeding out from eating a plastic water bottle. :( It was horribly sad. Hard plastic can cut their GI tract.

Sounds like poor Anne is not being well cared for. The problem in TX is that the laws are not so great...if a pup has shelter and water that is about all that anyone cares about. :( You could call animal control for some advice though...I have always found the ACs to be very informative. I am sorry you have to watch this...very hard to see an animal not getting good care. :(

If you have a decent relationship with your neighbors, why not just go talk with them?

I would simply call the AC for advice...and then decide what to do. Good luck!

I guess you don't know your neighbors well enough where you can just talk to them about it? It's too bad they're not really taking care of her like they should... Does she seem okay otherwise? Coat, weight, etc... If she seems "healthy" then I don't think AC would do anything, would they?

Question... do they know you've been taking good care of her when she comes over? If so, at the very least, I'd ask if you wouldn't mind having her over for couple/few hours to play and offer what money I can.

Sorry you're having to go through this... I can empathize...

My experience with animal control has not been a good one...Pretty much, if the dog has food, water and shelter, they pretty much aren't going to do much UNLESS the dog is in immediate danger of dying. They leave a note in which the person has 24 hours to respond...and then IF the dog needs vet care(imbedded collar, tick infestation, mange etc etc) they will give them a certain period of time to complete that and if they don't, they may seize the dog.

If the dog is in good health...not underweight, and has water outside and some shade, they probably will just go in and check up on the dog.

Now, if they do notify them that they were there...this could be a kick in the butt that your neighbors need to start to take better care of the dog...or it could just make them resentful that someone called the Animal Control.

I've seen a few times, where they've left dogs that IMO, should've been taken...but pretty much, it seems like around here, the dog has to be in deplorable conditions for them to take it or do anything.

The problem is the laws in most states. Everyone wants to fight legislation because of irrational fears that Big Brother is going to intrude....they don't give a damn that animals are suffering. So sad.

Being that you live on the Army Base, they don't have an Animal Control as such. I would call the MP Office and make a complaint.

Being retired Army now and all the places that I have lived, I can tell you there are rules about these type of things.
I am assuming you are the dependant and your spouse is the service member? I would talk with your spouse in regards to this and get his/her opinion on this.

BUT if it was me, I would certainly report it. I had to do it numerous times.

In addition to calling animal control - this above sounds like a great solution! I feel so bad for Annie, she sounds like a total sweetheart who is terribly neglected :(.

thanks for caring for poor annie// hope you can find a solution

@TxVicki yes I'm the dependent in this situation...my husband is more of a "mind your own business" type of person. He'll help Anne if she escapes(at this point she's the size of a young German shepherd so I'm not sure how easy it will be for her) but as far as calling anyone to see about her welfare he won't. I deal with the husband(neighbor) more so than the wife(I always catch her cursing at Anne the few times I have seen her). The husband seems more easy going and seems to actually care about her more than his spouse. I offered to watch her for them while they're gone before we picked up Rasta since I stay at home but the wife declined. I think I will just call MP and let them handle it. My husband is our block captain so maybe he can make a referral/do a house check???

I just don't understand some people... If I were in that situation and my neighbor offered to watch my dog, I'd be so grateful! Why are people declining help when it's for the benefit of their pet?

Is it b/c of possible damage the dog might cause and might get sued or something?! *sigh* So frustrating...

ps. Thanks for caring enough to take action. I think it's especially harder when it involves a neighbor...

I would call AC if you feel something is not right go with how you feel