Originally Posted by SWHouston (Post 4344227)

My apologies, I tend to try to read the post quickly, and often miss various points, but...

This is hard to explain, but there are "territorial" Pack issues which I think are involved in this situation. I don't think that the little guy was is as much jeopardy/risk as one might think.

When you get out in the country, and there are no "confined" areas, the importance and clarity of territorial boundaries (which may be rather small) are better defined to animals. I doubt if it would have crossed the road by itself, and I doubt if it was very far away from an area which/where it could protect itself. It's almost common place for a rural individual animal or Pack, to have found a location which is quite defensible against intrusion. Even the smallest within the Terrier Groups are formidable, when they can put their teeth between themselves and an aggressor and only concentrate on one avenue of attack.

Also, ha, I think someone would have been hard pressed to catch that little guy if they had gotten out of their vehicle. Country raised Dogs just think a bit farther head than those raised in a safer (city/closed yard) environment. ;)

I just don't believe that the Dog is/was in any jeopardy or discomfort, which numerous other country animals are quite used to.

One final comment on the "situation"...
So many of us don't realize just how tough our guys really are. We feel so protective of them, just because they are small. As many of you know, I take my guys hunting (they were bread to do that) and when push comes to shove, they can (regardless of size) can hold their own extremely well. My Adult Male Sneakers frequently encounters a Male Possum twice his size, and kicks his butt on a regular basis. I know it's hard to visualize it, you just would have to see our guys in action to understand now formidable they can be.

----------------
Magnus,
HA, it's ok to stereotype Texans, we don't mind that at all :D

Originally Posted by lynzy420 (Post 4344268)

I confess, I would be a dognapper in this situation....I'd rather give this pup a full chance...than half a chance.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4344260)

A small dog has absolutely no chance against a coyote and the poster said there where coyotes in the area. I personaly had one incident where a possum was in my back yard and was hurriedly getting my dog back in. I would never ever risk my dogs life and knowingly put her outside and let her go at a possum that's not very smart and I just love her to much to risk it and she's 17 pounds!!

Originally Posted by SWHouston (Post 4344320)

Though Coyotes exist in my area, I would never have to deal with them attacking. My Dogs are XXvery alert, and would be alarming well before any such threat even reached the property. I usually deal with them at about 300-400 yards. Used to be up toward 600, but my eyes aren't what they used to be.

Don't have to worry about My Adult Female Becca engaging a Possum. Female Yorkies are not usually "fighters". She will (and has) held the Possum at bay, called for the Pack, and wagged her tail vigorously as she saw her Alpha Male beat the Possum up. I know it sounds funny, but, this HAS happened !

Originally Posted by gracielove (Post 4344439)

OK, I kind of read through this quickly but I think the resolution was that the sheriff looked into this and says there is nothing they can do because the dog has access to water?:confused::confused: I understand the sheriff did what their agency was required to do (the very least) but they are hardly humane experts. I don't know how different things are in the south but in my state every country is required to have a humane agency that handles abuse and neglect cases, as well as strays.

In the past I have lived in the south and I know certain areas have flea and tick issues that people in the north have never experienced. It can be horrible, with ticks swarming on animals and draining their blood supply very badly. A small dog would not be able to withstand that kind of onslaught for very long. The tick SpotOn treatments (which it is unlikely this dog has) do not prevent ticks from latching onto a pet. They do eventually kill the bug but not until after the tick is fully engorged.

If you went online and did a search for a humane agency that covered your area you should be able to find one. At the very least you should be able to find someone else who will join you in advocacy for this little one. Sometimes it takes a few voices joining together to get something done for those who cannot speak for themselves.

There are laws that regulate abuse and neglect and this little animal is certainly neglected and endanger. Between the extremes in temperature and dangers of other weather conditions, plus the lack of a real shelter and decent food and water (who says clean, fresh water is actually in the bowl all day and night?:confused:) that little dog is suffering. Compare those conditions with the way dogs are treated at a puppy mill and it would be a toss up on who has it worse.

Originally Posted by Kaylee32 (Post 4344541)

That not all that went on, I said I spoke with the owners of the dog and they did not want to sell or give away. I actually did contact the humane society thats about 40 minutes away and they said that there was nothing they can do either as there was no immediate threat of danger to the dog. Yes I agree that that is absolutely ridiculous but there is nothing I can do at this point without just taking the dog. I do plan on trying everything I can to rescue it without it being "dognapping".

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4344539)

And what happens when you get a rabid animal that is nuts and goes nuts on your dogs? Just gonna replace them because "they are just dogs"?