I almost stole a dog last night and WWYD

madelyn07

Ok, it isn't as bad as it sounds. Well, it is bad, but I'm not some awful criminal

A few Sundays ago I went to the grocery store while DH was working in the yard. When I returned and pulled onto our street, I saw DH sitting on the curb down the street a ways and a little white dog walking away from him. At first I freaked because I thought it was our dog, Gabby, but then I realized she wouldn't be walking away from him. So I parked my car and walked down the street towards him. He told me that when he came out in the front yard this little dog was standing in the street in front of our house and when he walked to the dog, the dog ran way. 

So I started walking down the street to the dog and it turned around, ran right to me, and practically leaped into my arms. It was so cute and so, so sweet! No collar, of course. I knew the dog didn't live on our street so I started walking downtown and then saw a man walking around and when he saw me carrying the dog, he came up to me. Told me it was his dog, and the dog went right to him, he set the dog down and it ran towards their house. He said the dog loves to "visit people" and sometimes when they put the dog outside, he runs off. And that he LOVES women so that is why he came right to me. Ok, whatever...keep a better eye on your dog and keep him safe.

Last night when I was getting home from work, I was about to turn onto our street and I saw the same dog standing in the middle of a [super busy] intersection. So I got out of my car, grabbed the dog, put it in my car, drove to my house with that sweet dog on my lap and then brought it in my house. I couldn't remember exactly which house the dog lived at so I asked DH. The dog was SO sweet and adorable. I walked back outside, towards the houses that the guy came from last time and this time there was a woman out looking for him. I was on the opposite side of the street and she saw me and said "Is that my dog?" and came over and got him.  She, again, said the dog likes to go "visit" people and left their (non-fenced in yard) when she put him outside to go to the bathroom. She didn't seem concerned or panicked or anything. If that was me, and one of my dogs were missing, I'd be out screaming like a lunatic looking for them.

I seriously didn't want to give the dog to her because he'll just get out again and I'm so afraid he'll get hit. The streets around here are so busy and people always park on the narrow streets so cars are always swerving in and out around them. 

I honestly think if I find him in the street again, I might keep him. 

Ok, no, I won't keep him but..what should I do? If I've found him twice in a few weeks (and I'm never home), you know he's getting away often. 

WWYD? 

 

theworms

oh, poor dog, i really hope nothing happens

if i found the dog i would return it to the owners and tell them this is 3rd time and it's not safe for dog to be roaming busy streets and if you find dog again you will not return it but take it to aspca or keep it

people suck

how hard is it to put the dog on a leash or tether thing (no clue what it's called)

 

jessican08

madelyn07:

 If that was me, and one of my dogs were missing, I'd be out screaming like a lunatic looking for them.

That's exactly how I would be too. I guess I understand that some people aren't as protective of their animals or trust that their animals won't stray too far but the reality is that their dog could get hit, could cause a traffic accident by someone trying to avoid it, could get injured by another animal or could injure another animal or person (not that the dog you described sounded like it would ever hurt someone but YKWIM?).

If you continue to see him wandering freely it might be worth placing a call to animal control to come out and talk to his owner. She may even be cited if he's not properly licensed. If nothing else, maybe they can put a little scare into her that she's putting her dog at risk. The next person who picks him up may not be an animal lover or have good intentions.

BeeBee08

That's a tough one!  I'm so glad you found the little guy so it didn't get hit.  I would want to keep him too.  I would probably call the humane society on them.  I don't know if the police are appropriate, but you do call the police when people leave animals in cars, so maybe.  At least a warning to them that they have to get a fence or tie him up. 

And then I would kid-knap it.

softbalangel

bfarrell:

That's a tough one!  I'm so glad you found the little guy so it didn't get hit.  I would want to keep him too.  I would probably call the humane society on them.  I don't know if the police are appropriate, but you do call the police when people leave animals in cars, so maybe.  At least a warning to them that they have to get a fence or tie him up. 

And then I would kid-knap it.

I agree with this. I would be so upset if one of my dogs was missing.

DeputiesWife

jessicandavies:

madelyn07:

 If that was me, and one of my dogs were missing, I'd be out screaming like a lunatic looking for them.

That's exactly how I would be too. I guess I understand that some people aren't as protective of their animals or trust that their animals won't stray too far but the reality is that their dog could get hit, could cause a traffic accident by someone trying to avoid it, could get injured by another animal or could injure another animal or person (not that the dog you described sounded like it would ever hurt someone but YKWIM?).

If you continue to see him wandering freely it might be worth placing a call to animal control to come out and talk to his owner. She may even be cited if he's not properly licensed. If nothing else, maybe they can put a little scare into her that she's putting her dog at risk. The next person who picks him up may not be an animal lover or have good intentions.

this is good advice right here....here they have animal control that can help out also.

I am also one to holler for my girls if they get out of the yard -- they do sometimes, and they dont go far! 

Ginger71

Awww...she loves you. Kidnap her!

Edwina.McDunnough

Auburn has leash laws so you have grounds for your complaint. Good luck. 

https://www.auburnalabama.org/students/Default.aspx?PageID=231 

Echloe

Why don't they at least keep a collar on him? Geeze. I would react just as you did. It does'nt sound like he dog is very safe in his current home.

mainesmichelle

Your too nice..  I would not have taken the dog back to the owner- I would have waited until the owners came to me..

 

Why do people have pets and not take care of them!!!

jlcrane78

Maybe it's because I watch Animal Cops and those shows all the time, but I would report this to animal control.  Since these people are not physically abusing the dog, I don't think animal control will take it away from them but they probably will give them a warning about keeping their dog in the yard so it doesn't get hit by a car.  Then you don't have to go talk to them yourself, you know?

I don't know why people do stuff like this.  My dog is not a wanderer, so we give him freedom when we are out camping or on large properties.  (A friend of ours has 10 acres.)  Even though he doesn't wander, I'm still obsessive about checking on him to make sure he's within sight.    I cannot even fathom letting a wandering dog run about the neighborhood and running the risk of them being hurt or killed.  How hard is it to buy a tie out so the dog still has room to run around the yard but is safe from harm?

jlcrane78

theworms:

how hard is it to put the dog on a leash or tether thing (no clue what it's called)

 

You read my mind!  Seriously, those things are only like $20 at the pet store.  We bought one specifically for car camping.

Delta04

mainesmichelle:

Your too nice..  I would not have taken the dog back to the owner- I would have waited until the owners came to me..

 

Why do people have pets and not take care of them!!!

This is definitely a tough one but I would have waited for them to seek me out.  It is a shame to have a dog and continually let them get out.  I just don't understand that.

BigHairQueen

I would keep him if I found him again. But then again, I'm all about taking animals from people who don't/can't take care of them the way they should. I even chase after dogs who run in front of the salon I work at, my co-workers are always laughing at me.

SweetDahlia

That is just awful, poor little dog. We let our little dog out without a leash but always stay with her, she never usually leaves the yard. I can't imagine just letting her out to wander like  that.

I agree I would call someone to come and talk to them about leash laws.

doggie mama

UGH this drives me crazy! What is the matter with people? My DH found a lost dog a few months ago, very sweet, and it broke his heart to give thedog back to to the owner who was a total B and didn't seem to give a sh!t.