Mods: If this is the incorrect place for this post, please feel free to move it.

What a night. We pulled up at about 10:15 and found 2 dogs in our front yard. I know them, because I've caught them in the past. A neighbor that lives about 15 houses down has these dogs, and they get out from time to time and are seen running around the neighborhood. I've brought one of them (cooper, a golden mix) back to him once before. The other (Diego, a border collie mix) prefers not to be caught. And so.

It's frustrating that this guy can't contain his dogs, but I'm not sure how to handle it. This is the second time that I have personally taken responsibility for one of his dogs, and Diego (the Uncatchable) likes to run out to the busy street that leads into our neighborhood. I shudder to think of the poor guy running in front of a car.

When I brought Cooper into the house tonight I gave him a few treats and taught him to down, then he vomitted a little bile. He's a happy go lucky dog, and I'm assuming he hadn't eaten in a while. All I have is chicken right now, so that's what he got. Judged from his teeth, he's on kibble normally. Right now I have him crated in the laundry room, on "quarantine".

1. Should I just call the ASPCA / Animal Control next time? First and foremost I want these dogs to be safe, and not suffer deadly or debilitating injuries.
2. Have you ever had success convincing someone to take care of their dogs? This guy is a repeat offender. I'm sure he loves his dogs, but what can I do to encourage him to be responsible with them? Should I use aversives? I'll get the big prong collar...
3. Cooper is a great dog, but I can never get Diego. I spent an hour chasing him and he's like a phantom. What's my level of responsibility to these guys? How long do I crate, feed, and take care of Cooper? (Their owners next door neighbor said that they are "out of town" (????!!!)) How much do I worry about not doing enough for diego?
4. If I bean their owner with a 2-4, is there a chance it could knock something loose in there and get the cogs turning? Blah!

Thoughts?

As a footnote, after feeding and crating Cooper (who has obviously either never been in a crate, or not been properly crate trained before) I took Macy out for her last wee of the night. When we got to the sideyard (that links the backyard to the front yard) she moved towards the front yard, ears forward, tail straight back and curved up at the end, hackles rising, and starting giving her "I'm here and I'll kill you" barks. I had no idea why, until I saw that Diego had returned, (looking for Cooper?) and was across the street sniffing around. By the time I got to the front yard he was long gone, but I was pleased with her reaction.

1. Yes, call the SPCA/animal control. Especially since the owners are out of town??!! They may be able to catch Diego and they can (and I hope they do) fine these people who leave their dogs running loose when they're out of town. Sheesh, I can't wrap my head around this.

2. From what I've read you will be VERY lucky if you are able to make these people "see the light". Most people don't like being told (however nicely) they are idiots. :wink:

3.You have a great heart, David. I'd be worried about these dogs, too, but there is a limit to what you can do. If you keep Cooper and manage to catch Diego and return these dogs to the owner you'll probably be doing this again somewhere down the road. That's why I'd contact animal control now, and every time I saw these dogs running loose.

4. Unfortunately, no. But it would feel SO good, wouldn't it?

Hmmmm - tricky one this. For what it's worth, I'd say:

1) NO. Call them NOW! Don't wait till next time. I'm not sure how it works in the US, but I'd call them, tell them what happened this time and previously, and ask for their advice. They should make a record of it. Get the reference number and a name of someone. When you do call back (and it WILL happen again) they have the info to hand, and it's not a 'first instance'.

2)Nope. People who act like that in the first place won't listen to you. SPCA maybe, but not a neighbour.

3)You can only do so much. The best thing is for the dogs to get 'professional help'. There's people that can deal with these dogs and help them. You can help the dogs by letting these people know.

4)May I suggest something larger and made of metal

Best of luck - I love the sig photos!

Rob

I would definately call the SPCA and speak to the animal control officer. Make an official complaint, tell them the dogs are repeatedly loose on your property and what should you do if they are loose again. Next time, try to catch the dogs, call the ACO and get them to come get the dogs. The owner will have to pay a fee to get them out. Next time, same thing - usually the fee keeps going up and up for the owner to spring his dogs. If the ACO won't come, then take the dogs to the pound yourself each time. If it keeps going on and on, remove the collars/tags and take them to a pound several counties away, maybe they will be adopted into a better home then.

Try catching the "uncatchable" with food-lure, use the other dog to lure him into the house, vehicle or somewhere you can close the door or gate on him. Some dogs like to ride in cars and will hop in if you open the car door for them or drop the tailgate of the truck.

Been there done that - the owners sometimes need to "be taught a lesson" on how not to let their dogs wander. Having to go get the dogs from the pound and pay for them to be released is often a good lesson once it's learned a couple of times.

molly

Well, the neighbor still wasn't home when I got home from work tonight. I gave Cooper a nice walk around the block, worked on "down" for a few minutes, called Animal Control, then groomed him. He loaded up into the truck nice as can be, and he's off to "county".

I was able to give the AC officers the owners name, address, two phone numbers...they're going to leave a nastygram on his door, and apparently it will cost "quite a bit" for him to get Cooper back.

Diego is still at large. I'm going to follow up with the pound on Monday to see if Coop has been picked up, he goes up for adoption on Tuesday.