A rant and a wish

[pitbullmamaliz]

One of my girlfriends just called me sobbing. She's over at the house of a friend of her boyfriend (who I dislike immensely) and she said he has two dogs there in HORRIBLE condition. A 17 y/o rottie that's kept outside all the time (it's very cold here in Cleveland), with only the garage for shelter. The garage has car fluids (including antifreeze) on the floor. He has no food and his only water is whatever can gather in an overturned trash can lid. He limps like he has hip dysplasia or arthritis.

Inside, kept in a small corner of the basement, is a 3 or 4 month old pit puppy. Her one back leg is very injured - she won't put any weight on it and is trying not to move. Her nails are overgrown. No food/water. Visible spine/ribs. Wormy belly. Possible infected ear. And apparently her spine can't straighten out - like it's continually curved.

My friend gave them some food and water and spent some time loving on them. I called the local Animal Protective League (they have ACI's) and left a voicemail. I also called the County Dog Warden but their office doesn't have voicemail.

I really hope that they go investigate this and take those poor dogs. I broke out the official Officer W. name in the hopes that they would go faster. Last time I made a complaint to them they never called me back to follow up and let me know what happened. What should I do if they don't go out there within the next week? When is this considered an emergency that requires police intervention?

Please say prayers/wishes tonight for those poor dogs.

[airwalk]

Depending on how the division of enforcement works in your area...if they don't go tomorrow I would escalate to the local PD and yep pull out the Officer W on them every chance you get...

[pitbullmamaliz]

I wasn't sure if it was only considered an emergency if the dog didn't look like it would last 24 hours, or what. My friend guestimated this puppy maybe can survive another 2 weeks.

[Marinepits]

Personally, I would call the cops NOW. The dogs are in imminent danger of dying. And I'd use your official name.

If the pup's leg is very injured, her spine is probably bowed from the pain -- that's a universal canine sign that they're really hurting.

[pitbullmamaliz]

I called the police and they blew me off. They're not going to go out there. They said the APL has investigators that will check it out.

[Marinepits]

Keep after the APL until they get their butts out there.

[LMM]

Hypothetically speaking *ahem* are the dogs easy to get to? *ahem*

[pitbullmamaliz]

Hypothetically speaking, of course, the rottie would be very easy to get to as he's outside and friendly. The pup would be harder since she's in the basement. Right now, according to my friend, there's a lot of people over there right now, all getting drunk. The neighbors are the one who told her about the puppy - they know and they don't do anything about it!

[LMM]

Hypothetically speaking of course, since the rottie is easy to get to, is this a puppy someone can sneak out in their jacket? You know, since people are getting fukked up anyway.

[iluvk9]

Sickening....

17 year old dog? Severely hurt puppy?

Just do it.

[Marinepits]

Since the situation has already been reported to the authorities, probably not a good idea to make the dogs suddenly "disappear".

[pitbullmamaliz]

I just called my friend - they're next door at her boyfriend's mom's house and she said that everybody at the house with the dogs left. Locked up and left. All we can hope is that the ACI's get out there tomorrow. I left them a crapload of details and made it sound urgent, so hopefully first thing tomorrow they'll go out.

[airwalk]

Stay on the AC...also Liz..of course as a PO you know this...people that severely neglect animals to the point of abuse are often prior offenders or current offenders, often violent, usually criminal.

[madremissy]

[LMM]

I'm not saying to do it really, hypothetically speaking, but I feel confident these people wouldn't worry too much about where the dogs went. The situation just sucks severely. You have an ailing senior that should be being pampered living in the cold and a puppy dying a slow death before its even had a chance to live.

Liz do you have any idea what that AC is like in that area? Are they known for cracking down or are they lax? Any way we can get someone else involved in this? I don't know who, I'm just brainstorming here.

[pitbullmamaliz]

AC already called me this morning! Unfortunately I missed the call but I now know the name of the officer in charge of the case and I left them another voicemail with the info he requested. His message to me said it sounds as though both these dogs are in need of pretty urgent medical attention, so I think he's going to go out today! As soon as I know anything more I'll update, but so far it sounds good!!!

[Marinepits]

[pitbullmamaliz]

Just talked to them - this guy is familiar with the area and the officer in charge of the case is a woman so he doesn't want her going over alone (really bad area). He's going to find somebody else to go over there with her today, and at the very least even if nobody is home they're probably going to take the Rottie as he is kept outside (providing he's in bad enough shape, which I'm assuming he is). He said that either himself of the officer in charge will follow up with me, if not today then no later than Monday.

I know these dogs will end up being euthanized - the Rottie is old and the APL doesn't adopt out pits - but at least they'll be out of that situation.

I'll keep updating as I get more info. I just want this guy to get fined, at the very least.

[iluvk9]

Glad to hear you were contacted again. I could stop thinking about the old guy and the pup in pain.

[pitbullmamaliz]

They went out there and the Rottie was dead. He said they don't know if it was from exposure or old age. Nobody was home but the neighbors said they will have the owner call ACO. He said that this is definitely not over.

I've never met this dog but I'm sobbing right now. I should have gone out there myself and taken him. I'm just so pissed that the cops refused to go out there as "neither of the dogs are going to die overnight."