Did I Do the Right Thing? (Kinda long)

**many houseapes** · 09-16-2011, 01:12 AM

A little background first.....
I have a backyard neighbor that moved to our area about a year ago.He's quiet, keeps to himself - fine w/me.
About Feb, my meat-headed Huskies thought that it would be a good idea to run into a fence board -broke it. I didn't see what they did until the next morning when I saw the broken fence board & that the neighbor had put bricks to block the hole so the dogs wouldn't get through. Okay, fair enough...stupid dogs...so I repaired the fence, good as new.
A month later, my 7yr old ds is out in our back yard & his ball accidentally goes over the fence in the neighbor's yard & being the boy that he is, decided to go after it. (I do feel badly about this b/c I was inside taking care of other household matters...he is not allowed to go outside without an older sibling from then on)....
The neighbor decides to introduce himself in the most untactful matter. He could have alerted me to the fact that my son came onto his property in a more proper manor, but he did not.... he pounded on the front door...I answered....he started to yell at me, telling me that my dogs were aggressive (nearly laughed at him for that statement...Huskies are the most docile breed of dog there is....mine included)(btw- hid my grin at that silly statement) - brought to his attention that I had fixed the problem & appologized for the dogs...then he proceded to tell me about my son going on his property. I made ds appologize to this man for what he had done....that still wasn't enough...he kept yelling at me - told me that he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...yadda,yadda...
okay...fast-forward....
This neighbor acquired a dog a few months ago - a shepherd (mix) - not quite a year old. I have witnessed him at least 4 times abusing this animal. I am the type of person that stays to themselves, but I just couldn't ignor what I heard & what I could see through the fence as I hung out the clothes in the morning. #1. The neighbor lifted the animal up by the hind legs several times until it helped in pain & dropped it...then he laughed & praised the dog. #2. He hit the dog until it yelped..he again laughed, then praised the dog's reaction. #3. He took his tshirt & smacked the dog in the head over & over again until the dog yelped& tried to grab the shirt...he again laughed & paraised the dog...#4 Sunday was the last straw...I let my Huskies out in the morning & they started barking ..I went to see what they were so upset about & then I heard it- the neighbor was smacking his dog around again & the poor thing was yelping in pain & fear...neighbor was laughing - then praising the dog. I called the cops- they told me to call animal control & I did & left a annonymous report. I am afraid that this person is training this animal for dog fights or worse. I firmly believe that its okay to have a trained guard dog to protect your family, but I also believe that the training should be left in the hands of a professional. Guard dogs only attack on command - what this guy is doing is going to cause this dog to attack anything if it gets out of the yard......But I am afraid that this neighbor will guess correctly which neighbor it was who made the report & seek retaliation- he is that crazy. Did I do the right thing by reporting him?

**zakity** · 09-16-2011, 01:29 AM

Are there other neighbors around? If so, it could be anyone of them. And, I hope more of them did report him.

**2ndGenGranola** · 09-16-2011, 02:48 AM

You most definitely did the right thing. This dog will soon be the neighborhood menace at this rate. Animal control is not going to do much with out proof. Think of some inexpensive video equipment.

**fernykins** · 09-16-2011, 04:08 AM

You did the right thing. He's teaching the dog to be mean. That dog could hurt one of yours or someone elses. Its not right.
Fern

**arnie** · 09-16-2011, 05:53 AM

Agree with above posters. This guy is sick and needs help. Video tape would be appropriate. Also, inform any of the neighbors that you are friends with so they can also be on alert. People like this do not deserve to have pets.

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-16-2011, 07:58 AM

Yes you did the right thing. Unfortunately doing the right thing is not always easy or even safe. It shows true character to stand up when we are afraid too. Good for you.

**Ceashels** · 09-16-2011, 08:23 AM

Kudos to you for sticking up for an animal that can not protect itself against a monster. A visual recording will carry a lot of weight when presented to Animal Control or the local news station. How horrid that this man would choose to do this.

**Debbie-cat** · 09-16-2011, 08:40 AM

You definitely did the right thing. Who knows, he could be training the dog to be mean your dogs and children!! I like the idea of videotaping if you could without being caught. Stronger evidence. I feel so bad for the dog.

**VanVivCam** · 09-16-2011, 08:50 AM

Well, I had a neighbor call animal control on me once...and let me tell you I was ticked OFF! The matter with my neighbor could have been resolved if one of them had came to my door and spoken to me about their concerns.

I would have suggested sending your hubby to talk with him first, or you could have asked him what he was doing when you saw him outside or heard the dog yelping.

Just my opinion.

**nessarowdy** · 09-16-2011, 09:05 AM

I think this guy is beyond talking to face to face. You have witnessed the abuse, you did the right thing. Now be vigilant about this guy, he sounds scary...

Hugs!

**Greebo** · 09-16-2011, 09:18 AM

I'd videotape the abuse so you can provide documented proof.

**pollypurebred39** · 09-16-2011, 11:38 AM

Yes! You did the right thing. I'm going to post 2 links here. I understand that they are controversial, it's not my intent to make this thread heated. My only intent is to give you the option to get this hot potato out of your lap and into the hands of someone who will monitor and take action in this situation.

What To Do if You Spot Animal Abuse | PETA.org

Report Cruelty to Animals | PETA.org

**Nishu** · 09-16-2011, 12:03 PM

I dunno, normally I'm all for talking to people before you get the authorities involved, but this guy doesn't sound mentally stable. I'd say you did the right thing. And I'd be kind of concerned about this guy living next to me. Maybe it will be useful to have the complaints on record just in case he starts flying off the handle.

**mh3rdwheel** · 09-16-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by VanVivCam

Well, I had a neighbor call animal control on me once...and let me tell you I was ticked OFF! The matter with my neighbor could have been resolved if one of them had came to my door and spoken to me about their concerns.

I would have suggested sending your hubby to talk with him first, or you could have asked him what he was doing when you saw him outside or heard the dog yelping.

Just my opinion.

I would not approach the guy and let him know that you know what he is doing, he will then know that it was you that call animal control. This guy seems beyond help.

I would take video tape of this and then make copies and turn over to animal control, the police and the local tv station.