Are you in NYC? Have you thought of contacting the people at Rescue Ink? http://www.rescueink.org/

They are bikers, big guys, who investigate animal abuse — you might be able to get them involved and keep your family from being threatened? Mihow, I can’t believe I didn’t think to post this when you originally posted this post, I get the worst short-term memory loss and ADD when I am online.

I will agree that some dogs are so abused that they can not be rehabilitated to ever be comfortable enough to trust humans. While others turn the corner quite quickly with positive human interactions. You won’t know until he gets to see a professional dog trainer or someone who specializes in animal behavior.

All dogs, and sometimes even moreso, humans need training. This dog may thrive in a family environment or with a single person looking for a companion or he may not be rehabitable and need to be euthanized. While sad, it is a far better experience than living his years out with those assholes. I hope that he gets a second chance.

Some rescues will request a police escort to seize a dog, but it may need to more visual signs of abuse as cowering may not necessarily signify abuse for some people. Can you ask your cat rescue friends to maybe suggest a local independant rescue that may have an opening for this dog. Do you know what breed of dog he is, maybe there is a local breed specific rescue that would be compelled to help.

Please keep us updated…and thank you again.

Dogs *are* different from cats. Dominance and submission *are* built into their evolutionary character. They *do* respect clarity and consistency of authority (so do horses and many other pack animals, for that matter). (They also respond vividly to, and have a vast capacity for, affection and kindness, BTW.) But what you describe is outwide what I have experienced as the behavioral norms.

There have been many times we hear about an animal suffering after the fact or too late to help it. Maybe, you have prevented the animal from further suffering if that is the case.

I wish more people would step up more often.

Kim

the people can fend for themelves if they are indeed innocent. the animals, however, need the voice you provided for them. all animals do.

I wish more people did what you did. I’ve had abused and neglected cats, and I wish someone would have made a phone call before they were burned and shot.

Second of all, I did not write this post looking for a pat on the back or approval from anyone online or off. Toby Joe asked what my point was (not being rude, just asking what the point was). He pointed out that writing about it won’t stop abuse, so really why not phone it in, do your job and then be done with it?

He has a most excellent point. And I need to explain why I did this. To you and myself.

I wrote this because it’s bugging me to the point of being all I’ve been able to think about. And sometimes it helps to write it down. I also kind of wanted to hear dog people suggest (which many of you have) that cowering is not normal and that my allegations and assumptions weren’t wrong. I wrote this because I wanted to feel better and now that I know that’s not going to be possible, I’m now asking what my point is all over again.

I feel very awkward with this post now and am very unsure of what to do with it. If I edit out the bit about calling it in, every single last comment stops making sense.

I should think before I write sometimes.

BTW, I’d echo the people who caution you about taking the dog in. It could be great, but it’s a huge risk and a long rehab. Sometimes these dogs seem very meek but as they get over being paralyzed by fear, they sometimes go through a phase where they act out. If you were an adults-only household without cats, it would be different.

There is just simply no other reason to ever do it. Animals aren’t for kicking. If you don’t want to treat your dog well, then hey, idea! DON’T GET A DOG.

(You did the right thing. And if the dog really is OK, then great! But that’s why those checks and balances are in place. So that someone can check, and verify.)

You are a great person with a huge heart for the animals of the world. You did the right thing.

You did the right thing. If it is nothing, then that is great. But if something is going on, then you could be helping an animal.

I don’t want to ramble, but a few years ago a neighbor called an animal organisation (the RSPCA) on a cat belonging to my husbands’ family. She was 18 years old and one of the neighbors thought she shouldn’t be allowed outside. I happened to be at my father-in-law’s when they came by and they immediately knew that nothing was wrong and that she was just a very old cat who wanted to spend her remaining days wandering around eating twigs. Anyway, what I am saying is that in my experience, having dealt with such organisations when there isn’t an issue is not horrible. They were doing their job and they did it well. Now, if something is going on, obviously the situation is different, but if they are doing no wrong, then it will just be a small inconvenience.

I hope that something good comes of this. We both know all too well that there are not enough good homes out there for all of the animals in the world who need them, but that poor dog deserves better than the situation it is in. Thank you for caring, and acting. xo

it’s generally a sign of abuse if the dog keeps its head down as people approach. also, it’s a pretty tell tale sign if the dog is terrified to let you touch its feet. not sure why, but we’ve heard the schpiel. we have two rescues that were abused and they are both TERRIFIED if people walk up to them. it’s been a long road for the past 6 months but they’re getting to the point that they’re starting to enjoy the company of others and snuggling up. it’s seriously a huge treat for them to even walk near us. one’s leaps and bounds better than the other, but i find myself wondering what people could have done to such sweet animals.

it’s times like these that i get upset that people can’t get the same kind of treatment that they dole out to their pets. i cannot fathom how anyone could abuse an animal. i cannot even see how someone could kick a dog because it didn’t come in at the exact second they wanted it to. ugh.