What would you do?

[toospooky]

We were at a local airport today where we belong to an organization that has several vintage aircraft. We were watching a show practice, when we were all approached by a pit bull, young, female. She was very, very friendly, but she was covered with mange, was obviously not fed and needed water. I gave her water from a cooler we had with us, but didn't have any food.

While we were discussing what to do with her, we were informed that she belonged to a man who works in the hangar next to ours. I went next door, but couldn't find anyone there. The dog seemed very at home in that hangar. I feel like something needs to be done, though. It broke my heart to see the shape she is in, but what should I do? Confront the owner? Call a rescue? Put out food and hope for the best? This poor baby has extensive mange, but it is treatable.

Advice?

[DiamondTiger]

I'd definately leave her some food if she looks like she's missed meals. As for how to handle the issue with the owner and her condition - I'd try to befriend, or at least get to know him (and what he's done for her) before making accusations. I've seen some pretty 'sorry looking' dogs that I wanted to snatch away from people with a quickness and then upon meeting their owners learned that they genuinely do love their dogs and that what looks to me like a bad person actually is quite loving.

[maryellen]

you can also buy the man some goodwinol shampoo and give it to him and give him some help on how to treat the mange.. be very friendly, and say oh my dog had this and this stuff works great, you can have it to help her..

[pitunia]

I too become friends with the man and find out the story. We have found over the years that either the person is not educated or do not have the money for a vet. We bring the family donated food, offer a free vet visit, and leave our card if that person ever needs anything.

Some of our best friends to our group are people that we helped when they were down on their luck, we helped them with their dogs, and we received so many rewards going forward. Rewards does not have to be money....happy endings are my favorite.

[DiamondTiger]

happy endings are my favorite.

Amen to that! ;D

Another thing... are you sure it's mange? Could it possibly be a food or flea allergy? I'll tell you... my bro in law's dog, if you saw him you'd probably say the same thing. He looks AWFUL! But... it's not mange, it's actually a severe flea allergy that they've been battling for years. It happens to be that around this time of year, when it's super hot and humid, his condition worsens and Shamrock just looks terrible. Kevin's tried topical drops, oral meds, medicated shampoos, etc... they give Shamrock temporary relief, but nothing permanent and he chews his tail and rump till it's raw and hairless... he scratches with very little relief and his hair is very thin and even missing in patches all around his body.

[toospooky]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will befriend the owner and try to help the dog through him.

It definitely looks more like mange than an allergy. Instead of patches, she has virutally no hair anywhere on her body and the skin underneath is red. There's just enough of a patch left on her back to show that she is a light color.

It still seems like she is not abused physically. I didn't see marks or scars and she was overly friendly and happy. That's what has me baffled.

Let's hope this one does have a happy ending.

[sugar]

Any updates?

My rottie had a very severe skin problem where she would randomly get oozing sores on her chest and sides. We were at the vet's office almost three times a month trying to figure out what it was. Although, people on the street didn't know this and I would get nasty insults hurled at me (how I was a dog abuser and should rot in hell) but they just didn't know the whole story.

Hope this one had a good ending?