HELP! Friendly neighbor abusing their maltese!
 

I am in such a huge dilemma right now. My next door neighbor and I are really good friends. He is a really nice guy, letting us barrow his paddleboat for the lake, inviting us over for karaoke, and letting us use his pool anytime. Everytime I see him, he is always cheerful and extremely loving towards his 2 dogs. Actually, they're all he talks about! He has a poodle and a maltese. His maltese and TeeJay LOVE playing together. Anyway, his maltese is still a puppy, I believe only 7 months old.

Well the other day, my neighbor was trying to get her to come inside and she just wanted to stay outside and play. He got really frustrated and he started throwing objects at her! :mad: It wasnt a soft throw either, it was really forceful. Anyway, you should've seen the poor thing. She was shaking and hiding and just the look in her eyes made me want to cry! I dont know what to do! I saw him drink a few glasses of wine before this happened, so I'm not sure if he did this because he was drunk or what. I dont know if I should approach him and if I do, how do I try NOT to sound rude? He is always spoiling TeeJay, buying him doggy snacks and letting him run around his house. This is the first time I've ever seen him act like this toward his dog. He is usually so loving towards her. He is always holding her and kissing her.

Anyway, what should I do? Should I intervene or should I just butt out?

I would maybe let it go this time since you have never seen it happen before. Maybe he was jsut having a really bad day or something. I'm not saying that's an excuse for hitting or throwing things at your dog, but maybe it was only a one time thing. If you would ever see it again though I would definatly say something. What to say???? I really don't know.

Crystal

I can only say what I would probably do - take him aside when he's NOT Drinking.... and ask him WHAT The H**L WAS HE THINKING throwing things at his little puppy ? :mad: :mad:

That's abuse and he could have really HURT his little dog .....if his drinking is a problem - then he needs to stop or at least let him know what he's like when he's had too much. If he loves his dogs normally - then maybe that will wake him up.

I think I would have gone and grabbed her and carried her in myself ...what is wrong with people that they would pick on a tiny animal like that ?

Sounds like he took out he's frustrations on his little puppy, now that's abuse! If he is so frustrated/angry, he should run and hit his head hard on a tree or wall, but never ever ever slap any animal for anything! Just because she would not come inside when called? Man, he needs to be told what he sounds/looks like when he has had too many drinks.
I think i would have gone over to he's house to pick up the pup and let it sleep at my house till the next day, bring her back when he's sober?

Have a serious talk to the guy please, he needs to know!

I agree with Villette! I would wait until he is sober and ask him why he did that. Then...if it happens again I probably wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut...I DO NOT stand for any kind of abuse on animals...:mad: You could maybe try jokingly tell him you are going to report him to ASPCA and then just kinda laugh it off....maybe he will get the hint...If not....puppynap the poor little thing and find another home for it....!

This is a tough one for most people - keeping peace in the neighborhood or saving the spirit of a dog. Luckily for me I am older now and I will always try and protect the animal..not sure when I was younger if I would have...BUT I have also learned over the years you can catch more bee's with honey. Maybe you can help him understand how much fear he is building up in his dog when he does things like this and he could be breaking their spirits and also how he is sending mixed signals to the animal. I know it is frustrating sometimes but if you frighten a dog when they don't come to you then it will take you twice as long to teach them to come to you when you call. It is no different then when people hit their dog after they have run back to them and no dog figures it out "heck no - I''m not going when they call - I get hurt". Treats are a big motivator to get your little one trained and it is so much easier in the long run...Good Luck and let us know what you decide.

:mad: mean people stink.

I guess you have to make a decision, what is more important to you, keeping the friendship of a man who abuses dogs, or the welfare of the dog.

Ask yourself how you would feel if he killed the dog, would it be worth a dip in the pool or a paddle boat ride.

Most alcoholics are very generous people.

Maybe you could buy him a book on dog behavior.

:yeahthat:
I would confront him and let him know what you witnessed.

I would have called him on it when I saw it. BUT in a caring way. I probably would have said something like: Hey (name) are you okay? Can I help in some way? That way he would know he got caught. I know it sounds like babying him, but it would have also stopped the throwing. I would have picked up the puppy and said he/she doesn't know why you are upset..look at those poor little scared eyes.

I will talk to him today about what I witnessed. I am actually feeling pretty guilty right now. I should've said something right then and there but instead, I became scared myself. No animal should succomb to any type of abuse no matter what the circumstances are. Thank you all for helping me realize that. I will let you all know what happens.

You actually were smart to wait - it can really backfire talking to someone if they're drunk - at least if he's sober he may listen and hopefully... you'll be able to talk some sense into him

He sHOULD feel bad - It sounds like he normally doesn't act like that - but if you saw THAT when he was drinking & you were right there - who knows what else he does in private.