Jack Russel problem next door.

[DogPaddle]

We live in a townhouse so we can hear our neighbours occasionally. The neighbours on one side have had one seriouse domestic issue in the last year and the police were called. Both parties tend to take their anger and frustrations out physically. They have a very energetic Jack Russel under a year in age.
We have seen the Jack out in the yard for 40min (with our weather this is just no good for a pup with Jacs sort of coat.) We have seen him outside for over an hour in a cat carrier (he barks alot, I presume they were frustrated.) We have more than once seen the husband pick the Jack up by its scruff or collar, producing yelps. All three times the little guy has gotten loose he has made a bee-line for our house, he runs in apparent fear from the husband. For the last two days he has been barking nonstop from one location (I presume he has been permanently crated inside.)
We have nothing else to go on so I don't think the SPCA will do anything but I'm very worried. These people should never have gotten a Jack Russell, they were in no way prepred for this sort of dog. (Actually they probably shouldn't have any sort of pet.) I don't think I have any legal recourses so does anyone have any suggestions on how I might tactfully (I'd prefer not get on this guys bad side if at all possible) address this problem?

[behle]

Boy, DogPaddle, that is a tough one. People with hair trigger tempers aren't likely to take kindly to any interference no matter how well-intended.

I really don't know what to think. Maybe someone elso on the board has some experience handling touchy situations like yours. I hope so...

[Luka-pop]

Do you know if they still want to keep the dog or they don't know how to give it up, or they just don't realize that they're doing wrong or whatever? Convincing them to surrender their dog would probably avoid a lot of the problems, but people aren't that cooperative. Plus, they will probably become offended. Be careful, especially if they're physically abusive and have anger management control issues. Sorry, but I'm stumped, cuz there isn't enough evidence to turn him in...

[Malamum]

I agree, that sounds like a hard situation. Do you normally have any contact with your neighbours - if not I agree with Behle, people with tempers like that generally don't like being told what to do (though we know you only have the dog's best interests at heart, they may not see it that way).

I don't really know, but maybe try offering some advice casually in conversation, otherwise apart from calling the relevant authorities you are kind between a rock and a hard place :(

[Guest Anonymous]

Well I would still call the authorities.
Next time he makes a beeline for your house, and they aren't around, let him in. Maybe you can find him a nice home?

[courtnek]

PICTURES! If you can get them - like when he's left outsode - take a picture witht he time you took it and then another of the yard if you can catch them takgin him in. On the back of most new camera photo's theres
a date and time stamp.

can you see him crated up in the house - through a window or something?

If so, get a picture. When you have enough evidence, turn it over to the
police - you can do that anonymously - and they will contact animal control.

It's not much, but it's about the best you can do under the circumstances.

and you're right - a Jack Russel is not the dog to have if you want him to lay around and be quiet all the time!!

[Poofy]

Why not offer them help with the barking problem. That is probably what is causing the frustration. Perhaps training advise, or maybe redirection...and if nothing else debarking. Sometimes when people don't know how to handle their anger/frustration at a situation they take it out incorrectly...if they are taught other wise or offered a solution, maybe they will take it... maybe even offer to baby sit the dog for a few days to give them a break?

[Luka-pop]

Yeah advice like Poofy said is prolly the best way to go, but with people with anger management issues, it's a bit more difficult. They aren't going to appreciate being told what to do or being told that they're causing problems. And tere's no guarantee that the owner will actually research or want to spend more time and money on the dog, at which time, surrendering the dog is best.

If you're going to tell him, you've got to do it nonchallantly. Maybe start a normal conversation, talk about your dogs, ask how his dog is doing, and if he brings up his dog and the barking problem, go from there. If he doesn't bring his dog up, just be like "You've got a very exhuberant pup. I've been hearing his little bark a lot recently. How is he?" I know it's not going to work as smoothly, but it's better than sitting around worrying about the dog.

And like alicat said, take him in. That way, when you return him or whatever, you can ask about him. Just make sure that with those people, you don't get accused of being a dog thief. If they don't come reclaim the dog right away, you'll know that they don't care/worry about the dog enough to give him a good home.

We had two neighbors with dogs that would bark at as whenever my sis and I were out in the yard minding our own businessses. They didn't think that barking was a big issue... They said that dogs bark. Well, all the neighbors constantly called to complain, and eventually, even the police. They had to move to a country where there were no neighbors...

[DogPaddle]

We don't have too much contact with the neighbours in question. We were the ones that called the police during their last domestic dispute and we're not sure if they know it was us but on the upside we haven't seen the wife and kids for a few days so maybe she took the kids and left. If an opportunity arises I will strike up a "casual" dog conversation with the guy. Everyone here has been advised to let the Jack come in if he runs and then wait to see if Mr. Nextdoor (no I don't know his name) comes looking for him or not. Offering to watch Jac for a bit each day is a good idea too, will have to discuss that with the otheres here, could also provide opportunities to discuss why Jacs are the way they are, what to do about it and have that "casual" conversation. We were also going to see if there is a Jack Russel rescue group in the area and drop one of their leaflets in his mailbox, hopefully one that also explains Jacks and their special personalities and ways to deal with them. What do you think?

[Rottiegirl]

:evilbat: This is a sad problem, The dog is definitly not in the right hands.
Dog abuse is something that can be hard to prove, but if you think the problem is serious enough call the Humane Society. Dog abuse is a problem that is far too overlooked in the USA.

[Shannon_C]

Dogpaddle. You are going through the same I went through a few years ago. My neighbours were looking after a Jack Russell mix who the man treated with hate....no love....apparently beating it with the broom when his wife and kids had gone out (because he didnt want them to know what an :evil: wicked husband and father they had got) Well I couldnt stand back and watch this happen so I got in touch with the RSPCA who came out 4 days later but would not do nothing without proof so I tried catching my neighbour with the camera....from the bathroom window, to no avail because by then (with him being embarassed in front of his family) he did not touch that dog again......by the end of the week the dog had gone....I have no idea where.....hoping it went to a good home.
All I can say is, it scared him :evil:

So if possible try and take a few snaps of the dog in its cage from your bedroom or bathroom window...also of the man picking it up by its scruff etc. This way you have proof!

GOOD LUCK!

[DogPaddle]

Hah! Fate has stepped in on my behalf. Neighbours had to go away for weekend unexpectedly and asked if we would watch Jac! Now we can play with him, snuggle him, check him out a little more closely and it will give us a chance to strike up a conversation. (ooh and they gave us $20 :lol: ) I'll let you all know what happens.

[Shannon_C]

Thats good news Dogpaddle, but that doesnt mean that leaving Jac in the cage and picking him up by the scruff/collor is going to stop..this man needs sorting out totally and the only people that could do that is the SPCA, but they would need proof like snap shots of this man when hes in action of his behaviour towards the dog. You could talk to him yourself but this might make complications worse between you both. (just be very careful) and always keep watch.....people dont change no matter what they say. Once cruel......always cruel! What ever you do...do not let your neighbour fool you!

Good Luck!

[DogPaddle]

I agree that he won't change just because we talk. Getting photos is not possible though:
1) We live beside them, not across from them, so no view directly.
2) No view from the front of their unit except of their fridge and cupboards.
3) Only room I can see if I walk into their backyard is there living room and that is if blinds aren't drawn. The dog sounds to be crated upstairs somewhere.
We can report the picking up by scruff of neck, time spent out of doors (can get a pic of that) and our impressions but our spca will do nothing based on this. Of the over 2000 reported cases to spca in our area, only 15 were prosecuted. All 15 were found guilty and had variouse fairly applicable sentences/penalties/charges. We have 3 spca officers that can do investigations for a city and jurisdiction of over 450 000 people. In over 80% of their other cases the spca agents issued warnings, somewhere around 60% also had notices which is a requirement that some problem be remedied ie matted coat be groomed or secure source of clean water and food be available at all times while dog outside. Sad but that is the situation :roll: . Our spca does excellent work with the money they have though.

OK on to Jac - He is in good physical shape, only problem is redness on end of nose, possibly from nosing at crate and nails a bit too long (ouch.) Doesn't appear to be hand shy yet. Loves snuggles. Is eagerly exploring my kitchen and "dog proof" garbabe can. He is a firecracker on springs :D ! Very muscular and energetic. He can focus on a task for short periods - we took 10 min or less to get him to sit for a treat, don't know if he new sit before or not - it works to calm him down when he is too Zoomie!

[Shannon_C]

I know the feeling......the RSPCA won't do much over here either unless the dog is at deaths door. Sad world we live in! Jac sounds really happy though. I don't know what else to say....everyone seems to have said it.
The only problem is with Jac being at your house getting all the attention and love that he should be getting......when he returns back to his owner...its going to be totally different the way hes treated....being locked up in a cage and more or less hung by his collar, this is going to confuse poor Jac. Maybe you could have a word with this man..I don't know but something has to be done for the dogs sake.....I know how worrying this can be for you....

Good Luck!

[imported_Debbie]

DogPaddle,
These people obviously are not equipped to care for a JRT , people get them because they have become the new IT dog. People see them in movies , on TV, and in ads on commercials . They think oh aren't they cute and clever I must have one . They don't do their homework on the breed . They are no shrinking violets and have lots of energy, and they have a very long life span. You must have a sense of humor that the man obviously does not possess. :evil: , with these dogs. I know I have 2 female JRT's and I think they are the most wonderful dogs in the world.
BUT, and this is a big but ,LOL - I am home all day with my girls these are dogs that need constant care and attention , they love to be with their owners at all times.
I think those people should be turned in , even if somebody came out to investigate the allegation, it might just scare the man into being a little nicer knowing someone is takeing note of his behaviour.
Thanks for being a kind , careing person,

Debbie :angel:

[DogPaddle]

Well on the upside they did take a website on JRTs and their behavs. and needs, there is also a link on the page for a JRT rescue. We had a breif talk about dogs and hopefully we will have more or they will opt for the JRT rescue option realizing this is not an animal they can adequately care for.