Conference misery::feline_v1

    It depends on where you live. Most cities have an Animal control
    officer who is a police person (therefore is supposed to have 
    some clout) or a Society of Prevention to Cruelty to Animals,
    (ASPCA).
    
    If in doubt I would call the local police or sheriffs department.
    
    Barbara

You could try contacting Barbara Bonsignore, who I believe is head of
the Animal Rights League of N.H.  She has written many articles in New
Hampshire newspapers about and against cruelty to animals. I have an 
article on my cubicle wall she wrote about the tortures fur-bearing
animals go through to make those oh-so-chic fur coats. It gives her
address as:

	Barbara Bonsignore
	8 Hutchins St.
	Concord, NH 03301

There was no telephone number given, but I suspect you could get it
from Information. 

I'm sure she could steer you in the right direction and give information 
if she can't help you herself.

Good luck!

Linda

    I have a question maybe someone can help me with.
    
    One of my neighbors leaves their dog tied up outside 24 hours
    a day, rain, shine, 20 below zero, thunder & lightning storms,
    snow storms, etc.  
    
    Is this legal - when I say "legal", I mean is thisl mistreatment
    in the eyes of the law?  Do they have the right to leave a
    domestic animal (dog) as these people are doing.  They feed him.
    There is a VERY small dog house on one end of his run.  Most of
    the time (85%) the family (husband, wife, 20-year old son) are
    never home.  I never see ANYONE ever patting or playing with
    the animal - he just stays out in their yard with almost no
    protection from anything (weather or larger/smaller animals).
    
    ??
    
    E.T.

    Hi Elaine -
    
         So you have one of those neighbors too?  Ours keeps their young
    Golden Retriever tied outside most of the time.  The poor thing
    has no doghouse and continuously barks (which is quite understandable
    from the dog's point of view).  I am told that when the dog was
    a puppy and these people lived in a different condo down the street,
    the pup was left out in blizzards and everything else!
    
         I live in MA, so I wonder if things are different here?  Anybody
    know?
    
                                          - Andrea

    I don't know if it's legal, but it certainly constitutes neglect
    in my book.  Our Zowie was treated this way in her last home and
    she still has some behavioral oddities from her treatment.  She
    was a very unhappy dog and took TLC and steady companionship to
    gain the confidence that we weren't going to abandon her to the
    elements.  For the first few weeks she cringed every time we 
    tried to put a leash on her because in her old home leashes
    meant she was going to be tied up alone for the day.  In our
    house they mean fun walks with our other dog, so she eventually
    came around.  But at her old house she cried all the time, and
    had wicked sores on her elbows from lying on the ground. 
    
    Karen, Tristan and Tenzing (and Aisha and Zowie)

    .4
    
    Hi Andrea,
    
    Yeah, and i guess i'm just tired of watching the poor thing
    just sit & sleep on the snow & ice.  I was wondering if there
    was anything I could do about it?
    
    

    
    
    OK I'll give this a try...
    It is legal to keep a dog out in all kinds of weather etc. provided
    it has "shelter".  When I questioned if a vari-kennel crate was
    considered shelter I was told yes it is.  It doesn't make sense
    to me either.  The best you can do if you feel an animal is being
    mistreated is to call local authorities.  I've done this in NH.
    First call the town animal control officer.  They should check out
    the situation and make sure they get back to you.  If you have no
    luck with that ie. if they don't check or don't get back to you
    to let you know the results of a call then don't hesitate to call
    the NHSPCA in Stratham  (603) 772-2921.  They will let you know
    how to go about getting results from there.  I have also had very
    good luck with the Monadnock Region Humane Soc.  They put me in
    touch with Russ Pope at PO box 501  Keene NH  03431.  I was concerned
    about a kennel operation in my area.  It is now closed!!!  He was
    very concerned and kept me up to date on what was happening.
    It is very unfortunate that the law does not understand or accept
    for the most part that animals do feel pain from neglect.  It is
    up to those of us who care to help change that.  Please don't stop
    trying and keep us posted on what happens.  GOOD LUCK!!
    
    MaryAnne  MacDonald    PET SENSE
    z

    Called the animal control officer here in Nashua. She said the law
    here states: If the dog is kept outside all the time you must provide
    some kind of shelter large enough for the animal to get into ( whether
    it uses it or not, does not enter into it) and fresh water available
    at all times, and fed on a regular basis.
    
    That'a it in a nut shell. No loves, pats or kind words, just stay
    outside, and I can claim I have a dog.
    
    (Oh yes, THE DOG MUST BE LICENSED AND BE UP TO DATE ON IT'S RABIES
    SHOTS.)
    
    What a shame for these poor animals. Makes you want to go let them
    loose. (Not a bad idea.)
    
    Barbara

    If you think that the person who owns the dog is just ignorant (as
    opposed to IGNORANT) you could try talking to them.  Some people in
    the canine notesfile have had luck educating dog-owners like this.
    I'm not sure I'd have the patience, but perhaps a discussion of the
    fact that dogs are pack animals and therefore need company.  That
    tied up in the yard they are prey to children's pranks and other
    dogs, that they can protect you better if they care about you, and
    finally, that they are just plain UNHAPPY left alone.  Perhaps a
    pointer to some books on dog care.  I don't know, maybe they'd listen.
    
    Karen, Tristan, Tenzing, Aisha and Zowie.

    re: .7
    
    Thanks very much - I'm going to consider .8 - anyhoo,
    at least I know what I can do, if I should do it or not.
    I sometimes wonder if people have brains... I would like
    to tie all three of them up for a month (either Dec or Jan)
    like they have this dog tied up.

    re: .9
    
    SHE works as an Agway Distributor and should know better.   "They"
    say that the dog likes it.  We have talked about it and they 
    really didn't want to hear what my thoughts were.  Guess ya kinda
    know when you are bumping up against a brick wall.

    I'm sorry to hear that they aren't going to be reasonable.  Do what
    you have to -- up to and including calling the ASPCA.
    
    Karen, Tristan and Tenzing.
    

    Re: .4
    
         Do you live in a Condo?  If so, there may be an Association
    rule that says they can't leave pets outside untended, etc...
    
    
    Bob

    Re:  .13
    
         No, Bob, I live in a private home, but right next door are
    these townhouses/condos.  It seems that these people will eventually
    take the dog back in (they seem to pay attention to it, just don't
    want it in the house except *late* at night and tie it out *early*
    in the morning), but the poor things barks and barks and barks until
    it's allowed in.  I feel so *sorry* for him/her; I would never even
    *think* of doing something like that.  Sigh.
    
         I guess I'll try calling the Shrewsbury Animal Control Officer
    (or whatever seems to fit the bill) and see if maybe these people
    can be educated; maybe the dog can be called "disturbing the peace"?
    I don't know; just want to do what's best for the pup.
    
                                       - Andrea
                                                          

    I wonder how the owner's would react if you asked if you could
    visit the dog.  At least then the dog would get some lovins.
      Nancy DC
    

    I really don't think that they want that - they said they want
    him to be a watch dog.  

    RE .16
    
    That's stupid!!  What's he supposed to be watching up there on that
    country road?  Squirrels, birds, chipmunks?  And lets face it, if
    a human intruder really wanted to get in, he/she could just throw
    the dog a bone and that would be the end of his watching for a while!
    
    Jeanne
    
    P.S. My husband thinks there is a law in Mass. that requires that
    all dogs (except the husky breeds) must be brought in at night if
    the weather is very cold.  
    

The best watch dog is the devoted family pet....the people sound like
ignorant pet owners and maybe leaving a book that covers companionship
needs for dogs, anonymously, on their door step might be a step in
the right direction.  You can report a barking dog as a nuisance, I'm
sure, because it is a nuisance.  I know in this area (sillycon valley)
people can be fined for a noisy dog.  This pup is being emotionally
abused, if not physically abused, by this treatment and would be
better off at a shelter while young and cute enough to maybe find
a new owner...even if the owners decided to get rid of the dog, it
would be better than this treatment.

    Country Road ??? My road????  You're right - there really is no
    way of dealing with these people - I knew that after the first
    conversation - and confirmed it from many more conversations.
    I thought I would check to see if I had any other alternatives
    available through the legal process.  I'm going to speak to the
    Chief next time I run into him in the hardware store or the pizza
    place - maybe he can suggest something or tell me what I can't do.
    The sad part is that he is NOT a BIG dog - he can't weigh more than
    30 - 35 pounds - he isn't a heavy coated dog either - he looks like
    a small golden cross -  sigh

    re .18
    
    Yes, they are they type that you want to avoid having any
    conversation with - the husband hunts his land - loves guns
    loves to kill.  sigh
    
    Yes, this dog BARKS ALL THE TIME   grrrrrrrr   but, I can't 
    blame him - I'm sure he is very unhappy - 
    
    Remember how hot it was last summer - well, he was out there every
    day all day all night.  Same this winter - 10 - 15 below on my 
    porch - wind coming off the hills - he's out there sitting on 
    the frozen ice and snow.   sigh
    
    One night he barked for 2 hours - I called them on the phone and
    they said that they hadn't heard a thing............I'm about 500
    feet from where the dog is tied in their yard - maybe more - but
    they didn't hear him at all.
    
    What can I say..

    
    
         Well I hate to say it but there seems to be plenty to go around
    of Elaine's type of neighbors.  We've got one down the street. 
    Granted their dog is a Samoyed with a thick coat but face it.  Whether
    or not he can withstand the intense heat or cold isn't the question.
    There are limits on the heat and cold that he cannot be comfortable
    in.  Fuuny they say the same thing.  He LOVES it out there.  These
    same people will be getting another dog soon sigh......  There
    obviously isn't enough love or time for the two already there. 
    
          The law can be very straight and narrow but I guess you do
    need some type of guideline.  Shelter, food, and water.  The time
    that I would pick to report them would be on the days and nights
    in the winter when they have the warnings out to keep all pets inside.
    You can't argue with that if its a public announcement.  To me that
    would constitute abuse.
    
           Some people :^(
    
                                                            kim

    Well, I have GREAT news - saw the Candia Animal Control Officer
    last night at the Vet's office - he went right over to their
    house - got up this morning - both dogs were NOT outside (they
    also had another one tied up at the edge of the woods) - the
    run was down, but the dog house was still out there.  I can't
    believe that MAYBE they won't be suffering any more.  I just
    hope the husband didn't take them out into the woods and shoot
    them - he's like that.  
    
    all's well that ends well !!
    
    E.T.

    We had a neighbor who left their dog out all the time too...and
    it barked and barked.  There is some ordinance regarding nuisance
    in Mass (I think it was a town type thing) and between the hours
    of 11 pm and 7 am the homeowner is responsible for keping the
    noise down.  I remember many night when that poor dog barked....
    
    I also wanted to make a point that not all people who leave dogs
    outside are not cruel.  My friend has several dogs, one a small
    lap dog, which stays in all the time, an older dog, which comes
    in at night but is out most of the time. and the younger dog
    which stays out all the time.  He has an insulated two section 
    dog house and a large run (for when no one is home - he runs
    off into the street).  He has never been hit or negelected, and
    has to be the happiest dog I know.  I think in the real bad weather
    he is let in, but I am not to sure.  His coat is very thick and
    he is vetted regularly, no health problems what so ever.  He does
    bark a lot, now that I think of it, and a lot of times its because
    he is barking at family, strangers, other animals (goat,cow,geese...).
    
    Maybe these people are the exception to the rule, and maybe the
    ones you noters are talking about are being cruel to the dog.  
    The M.S.P.C.A. has always shown a lot of interest in complaints, 
    whether they pan out or not.   Give them a call and let them be the 
    final judge.
    
    I am not trying to start the great debate here, just trying to show
    the other side of the story. 
    
    Michele & Nippa

    re: .22
    
    Thats great!
    
    m
    

    You're right - good protection from the weather - I don't think
    this dog could squeeze inside of this dog house, but maybe he
    could.  The thing that would bother me most, was to see him
    lying down on the ice all the time.  I never saw him use the
    house (maybe he did) - the nights & days that it was 15 below -
    on the thermometer on my porch - that dog was NEVER taken inside
    for any reason - the 3 people never ever played or handled him.
    I think that is WRONG.  Just my opinion - people can do what
    they want to do, but I just wish it wan't outside of my window.
    I have spent a full year watching - this was not an occasional
    "gee, we forgot to let the dog in" type thing.  It was 7 days
    a week, 24 hours a day, for a year - no change no matter what
    the weather.  My house sits on a 700 foot elevation - the wind
    that comes over the hills is really something - sometimes I'm
    surprised I still have roof and chimney - anyhoo, even then ,
    the dog was out there.  Enough rambling - it's over and now
    let's see if it stays over - at least I know who to contact
    if things get bad again - especially like last summer when
    it was 90 - 100 degress in the sun - yes, he was still out
    there with NO SHADE.
    
    E.T.

    I hate to see that, I'd be interested in finding out what he/they
    do with the poor animals?  Maybe they were brought to a shelter,
    probably better off that being left outside alone like that, or
    maybe like you had mentioned before....I don't want to think about
    that...
    
    Anyway, I hope this solves the dogs troubles...
    
    M & N
    

    Not sure I'll know, but if & when I do - I'll let ya know.
    
    E.T.

    Sometimes it's tough to find the line between meddling and being
    a concerned animal lover. As .23 mentioned, there are some situations
    where certain breeds/types of dogs are quite happy outside
    if given appropriate shelter. I had a Keeshonden for several years
    that would have been very comfortable outside. He would often rest
    in front of a drafty doorway just to get some cool air. ..but he
    was part of the family and wanted to be with us ..so we kept him
    in most of the time.
    On the other hand, my friend's neighbor, in spite of constant warnings,
    left her young Lab out in all kinds of weather. My friend found
    him frozen to death on the neighbor's back steps one sub-zero morning.
                                     

    What a sad story, Linda.  Makes my blood pressure rise to the boiling
    point!
    
    When it comes to animal welfare and ignorant people, I forget what's
    right and wrong and act on impulse... if it were me, I would have
    stolen the dog right off her front steps and brought him into my
    home.  One of our family dogs (RIP) was stolen by a relative of
    mine when her neighbors went on vacation (for the nth time!) and
    left the dog to fend for herself on a busily traveled road.  She
    just took the dog, got in her car, and drove 4 hours to my parents
    house.  No one in her neighborhood said a word and they all knew
    what she had done.  When the owners returned from vacation, they
    demanded to know what happened to their dog.  No one spilled the
    beans.  Turned out that Sasha was a purebred Afghan hound and these
    people bought her for the sole intention of breeding her and selling
    the puppies.  Didn't care about her well being at all.  She was
    an emotional wreck when we first got her... terribly matted, afraid
    to be touched, and malnourished.  She lived to be 13 years old and
    I still miss her terribly.
    
    
    /Roberta
    
    

    Well, I'm sad to report that the jerk next door did NOT bring
    the dogs inside - he just moved them BOTH to the far back of
    the property on the edge of the woods.  Now that the dog
    officer has been alerted, he will be checking on them
    periodically - I sure hope he was checking Thursday
    night during the hale/ice storm we had in the Candia
    area!
    
    E.T.

    Thats so sad, I wish we could leave them tied out like that.....