Dumping Dogs

[melonie]

I've had a suspicion that people have been purposely dumping dogs in town, knowing that the local pd will impound them. This was reinforced today after a conversation with one of the ladies I work with at the shelter. She adopted an older female hunting dog that had been impounded and unclaimed. Halloween night there was an event that she and her kids attended, and she took their dog along.
Someone approached her and said that they knew that dog. It lived near them or something like that. Michelle learned what she could from them. (her real name) She also learned this family tends to go through a lot of animals. Small town being what it is, it wasn't long before she actually met the prior owner. The guy said 'that used to be my dog'. Michelle played dumb, and asked questions about the dog. She's 9 freakin' years old, and he'd had her since she was a pup. They live in town etc, and didn't care a bit about letting her go.
Needless to say Michelle was pissed.
This last week we got in a really old greyhound, and no one has claimed him.
Thinking on the recent dogs we've had, almost all of them are prior impounds.
We get so full that way we can't take owner surrenders.
Just frustrating.
I discussed again about posting photos of impounded dogs to fb and petfinder with their adaptability date if unclaimed. But the gal doing the petfinder/fb does not keep up at all so that is frustrating as well.
With an impounded dog, if you can find the owner, they can at least be fined by the courts. Even if they don't want the damn dog. To reclaim your dog it's $60. Not sure what the fine is though.
I'm ranting. But it just really bothers me when people dump off these sr. dogs. Moses the greyhound would not leave me alone today. All he wanted was me, and that broke my heart. I have no idea how old he is, but he has cataracts, arthritis, horrible teeth, skin problems, etc.

People suck.

[Kim Wolf]

How much do private veterinarians in your area charge for euthanasia? I'm asking because for low-income folks, "dumping" old and/or ailing dogs is the only affordable option in some cases. I'm not saying it's right or wrong; I'm just sharing information that I've learned from working with these populations. While $60 doesn't sound like much to me, it's out of the question for a lot of people.

There are also a lot of people who let their dogs loose because they think they'll have a better chance of being taken in by good samaritans, and they don't want to bring them to shelters because they assume they'll be killed. It's especially true with older generations who equate shelters with old-school "pounds" that summarily kill dogs, instead of trying to rehome them. They genuinely believe they're doing the right thing for their dogs by turning them loose.

There are definitely assholes, too, who simply don't give a fuck and treat their dogs like shit. But I'm not convinced those people are the majority.

There's a program in Los Angeles that intervenes when people bring their dogs to the shelter to be euthanized. If the dog is truly ailing and the prospects for rescue are poor, they pay for the dog to be humanely euthanized at a private vet clinic instead of a shelter. They also offer transportation to the owner and the pet (since transportation is often a barrier). They also promote their services to the community so people who might otherwise "dump" their dogs on the streets know they have a friendly ally who can help them obtain humane euthanasia. It's a way of making the euthanasia process more humane for the person and the pet, and it also takes the burden/stress off the shelter employees who already have enough death to deal with. I'm happy to connect you with the people who run that program, if it's something that might help you and your community.

[melonie]

One vet charges 60 for euth and disposal. Another charges I think it was 75 for euth. and cremation, 45 for euth and disposal. Another vet is 95 for euth and creamtion.
Unfortunately there aren't any programs set up for the elderly to care for their animals here. I think this is what has happened with a recent old grey hound. He was likely a pet of an elderly person who couldn't afford the sr. dogs medical issues.

Our shelter has a policy to only take animals from our county. But, we have the only shelter in a 75 mile radius. When the board was made up of different members, we would take animals from other counties, no questions asked. Most of those brought in were brought in by their county sheriff. (my dog was one of them) We took no police impounds, and that kept us at about 10-15 dogs. Now with the impounds and few surrenders we stay at about the same level. We just take far fewer owner surrenders.
Our community serves as a hub for a lot of small towns surrounding us. One town is 30 minutes north, but in a different county. Another is 15 miles west but in a different county. Children in that community can attend our schools. But our shelter will not take any of their strays, surrenders etc. Two of the puppies that were recently impounded came from the town 30 minutes north. What also leads us to believe this is happening is when people call to see if we can take their animal, and when we can't, a few days later one pops up in impound like the one described. Sometimes we have enough info to go back on, most time not.

So it is frustrating. Especially in the case of Sara. The guy had no idea he was talking to one of our staff members, otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have divulged so much info. I do know the thinking behind dumping an animal and hoping someone takes it in. I had to talk a co-worker out of doing that awhile back when she couldn't keep one of her animals. Instead we found it a home via facebook.

It would be nice to see programs set up to help the elderly. I might look more into it, and bring it up to the board. In the case of Moses, he just needed some tlc and seems to be fine health wise. Old and sore, but ok. if it is a matter of being able to feed their animal, then we need to look at pet food programs for them as well.

[RealPitBull]

Nov 10, 2013 21:09:22 GMT -5 Kim Wolf said:

How much do private veterinarians in your area charge for euthanasia? I'm asking because for low-income folks, "dumping" old and/or ailing dogs is the only affordable option in some cases. I'm not saying it's right or wrong; I'm just sharing information that I've learned from working with these populations. While $60 doesn't sound like much to me, it's out of the question for a lot of people.

There are also a lot of people who let their dogs loose because they think they'll have a better chance of being taken in by good samaritans, and they don't want to bring them to shelters because they assume they'll be killed. It's especially true with older generations who equate shelters with old-school "pounds" that summarily kill dogs, instead of trying to rehome them. They genuinely believe they're doing the right thing for their dogs by turning them loose.

There are definitely assholes, too, who simply don't give a fuck and treat their dogs like shit. But I'm not convinced those people are the majority.

There's a program in Los Angeles that intervenes when people bring their dogs to the shelter to be euthanized. If the dog is truly ailing and the prospects for rescue are poor, they pay for the dog to be humanely euthanized at a private vet clinic instead of a shelter. They also offer transportation to the owner and the pet (since transportation is often a barrier). They also promote their services to the community so people who might otherwise "dump" their dogs on the streets know they have a friendly ally who can help them obtain humane euthanasia. It's a way of making the euthanasia process more humane for the person and the pet, and it also takes the burden/stress off the shelter employees who already have enough death to deal with. I'm happy to connect you with the people who run that program, if it's something that might help you and your community.

I find it really difficult to believe that the majority of people are just "too stupid" to figure out that dumping the dog is a better option than shelter or euthanasia. IF they ARE that stupid, than I dunno, maybe the dog IS better off being dumped (as opposed to staying in the home of said moron) on the off chance some decent person like the woman in Melonie's story picks the dogs up. (not to mention, in this case, the guy obviously didn't give two shits.)

Just like I don't find child neglect excusable because someone is low income, I don't find it excusable for animals either. Stupidity, abuse, neglect and abandonment are the same regardless of whether you are poor or rich.

[michele5611]

Mary I could not agree more!! FWIW I think it is wrong regardless of what socioeconomic class one is. That is not an excuse for being irresponsible or cruel.

[RealPitBull]

My mindset is a lot different than many people involved in animal advocacy in that I believe animals should be in LESS homes and people should be made to understand exactly the huge responsibility they are undertaking when they choose to bring a dog into their home. Right now dogs are seen as items you can get and dispose of when things get too hard. You can chain them, crate them, train/treat them anyway you see fit, then dump them when you can no longer care for them. No biggy, right. Dogs need to be elevated in status in terms of making people realize it is hard work caring for them the RIGHT way.

I am interested in ways to help decrease demand, and hence supply, vs increase demand and increase/sustain supply.

[michele5611]

I also wanted to state that two of the most active animal rescuers/lovers I know are low income and I think they would be insulted at the implication that low income people don’t know right from wrong or are not capable of realizing what is cruel and what is not. On the flip side I know some very wealthy people who are horrible dog owners.

[RealPitBull]

And FWIW, I am 100000000% in support of programs and services to help low income families that includes help for their animals. It's not about NOT supporting people in helping them keep their animals, and educating them, but I can't stand making excuses for peoples' ignorance, stupidity, or down right cruelty because they are "poor", and I'm seeing this a lot lately. I find it really insulting, anyway, as Michele said, to low income people who DO take wonderful care of their animals and never in a million years would think it "ok" to just dump a dog because the dog might be better off.

[michele5611]

^YES!!!!

[Kim Wolf]

Seriously? I would not have bothered if I knew my words would be conpletely miscontrued and the conversation would turn into this. I'm out.

[RealPitBull]

Kim, I've seen you making a lot of excuses for people lately, and you basically said in your post above you don't think most people who abuse or dump their dogs are culpable, they are just "poor" and don't know any better. If that is not what you meant, feel free to elaborate.

[michele5611]

Not being snarky but how else are we to interpret this “ I'm asking because for low-income folks, "dumping" old and/or ailing dogs is the only affordable option in some cases. I'm not saying it's right or wrong; I'm just sharing information that I've learned from working with these populations.”

The only affordable option does not mean it is the right/responsible or more importantly humane thing to do. You want us to believe that people that would do this love their pets and mean well but don’t know any better. I for one am not buying that…sorry.

[michele5611]

Sorry Kim...not trying to gang up on you posted this above at the same time as Mary.

[melonie]

From growing up in a small city, to moving to a major metro as a teen, to finally a very rural out of the way area... The mindset in the rural area is sometimes hard to wrap your head around.
People of all economic ranges dump their dogs. Some have no problems what so ever to shoot a dog that keeps coming onto their property. People that are too lazy to try and find a home for their dog, dump them off at the village clerk hoping she deals with it. (in a town over whom I'm friends with)
Dog is sick? Shoot it. An ER doctor said he'd throw (my) dog off the Spencer dam bridge if it bit him. When I had to go in for treatment after an accidental bite.
I know a family who get a dog, like it, get tired of it, get rid of it. Get another dog for a few months, and gets rid of it. Over and over.
Many dogs here are not treated like pets or part of the family. They're a commodity or are there to serve a purpose on the farm. They are disposable to a lot of people in this area.
Where I live, I'm just outside city limits, so local law enforcement can't come out here to pick up strays.
I have lost count of the dogs that me or my ex have picked up and taken to the shelter, taken into our home, or re-homed.

That said, I've seen first hand dogs that have come from low income elderly homes. When I worked with Judy, she was called to pick up a dog from a home where the owner recently passed away. The dog was in pretty sad shape. It had been fed, but had not been groomed, nails trimmed, or likely vetted in years. There was a poodle hiding under all the matted fur. Judy took in two more dogs in roughly the same shape from elderly people who either passed, or surrendered. Two elderly pugs were dumped off near her (Judy) home, knowing she would take them in or get picked up. It took me awhile but I figured out who their owners were. I can say that they are not poor or low income. They just had two old dogs they didn't want anymore. They replaced them with a bull breed mix and a couple more pugs.

I do believe a Senior citizen outreach program would be beneficial to our community. But most of the dogs that are being impounded are not old, or sick. They are mostly young, healthy dogs.

I will also add this: When I was 18, I was living on my own with my boyfriend in California. I was working in a deli for 5.25 an hour and he was jobless right when Calif. jobs tanked in the 80's. My cat was hit by a car.
When we found her we took her to the vet and I spent my last $90 on emergency care. The next day I took her to another vet. She agreed to treat her if I post dated a series of checks paying for her treatment. All told it cost $690 to save my cat. (she lived to be 11) So, yes, the poor/low income not knowing right from wrong is bullsh!t. I'm a single mom with a financially dead beat for a baby daddy. I could probably have a lot nicer things in my home, or heck, a nicer home. But I don't because despite being raised by a low income single mom, was taught right from wrong. And I learned compassion and empathy from a woman who would give the shirt off her back to help someone. It is not the size of your wallet that teaches you right from wrong. It is the quality of your character that leads you to do the right thing.

And another thing. The coworker, she was around 19 or 20 at the time with a cat who for some reason I forget now, she could no longer keep. She felt dropping her off in the country near a farm would give her a chance to survive. When I pointed out that it would most likely be hit by a car or killed by a wild animal or starve since it never fended for itself, she saw the light and we found it a home. She did care for the cat, didn't want it to die, but just needed help in finding it a home when she couldn't do it on her own. A few years later her dog was hit by a car. She spent a good deal of money to save her, but the dog was old and in the end she had to put her to sleep. She knows right from wrong. She just needed help and education in seeing the consequences of her actions.

[michele5611]

^Well said Melonie!

There is a difference between knowing right from wrong and not giving a crap as opposed to someone who needs help and education.

Obviously I am all for any outreach program that helps every and all pet owners in need and or course I recognize the benefits of these programs for pets and their owners! It just gets frustrating hearing so often excuses being made for people and by people who don't even try to do the right thing for their animals.

[RealPitBull]

Great post, Melonie!

[melonie]

Thanks, Mary. I made a post about St. Bernards in off topic I think. I'm looking for info that says that a dog that kills a small animal, is not going to start biting people/is not a danger to the community.

[RealPitBull]

Ok I'll check it out. The article I posted about drives talks about that. I'll see what else I can come up with from someone with some letters after their name.