What to Do If Your Trashy Roommates Abuse Their Dogs
This week we have a couple of sad, mistreated dogs and a non-owner living in the same home who is worried about their welfare. Is there a way to save dogs from abuse and neglect?
Some people have problems that require the delicate advice of a qualified professional. Others just need a random guy on the internet to kick them in the teeth (i.e. honestly). I am the last one. Welcome back to Tough Love .
Note: I am by no means a therapist or medical professional. People ask for my advice, and I give them. End of transaction. If you have any problems, please submit a formal complaint here . Now that this doesn’t get in the way, let’s continue.
Hi, Patrick,
My roommates have two dogs that can hardly bear each other. They are never bathed, played with, taken for walks, and never trained …
The German Shepherd remains in the cage for most of the day, even when they are at home. It is for these reasons that her aggression is growing. I’ve noticed this growing aggression ever since I started living with them, and have come to the conclusion that she has no other outlet for her energy and is resorting to the only thing she knows. Both dogs are bitches. But the younger shepherd has bitten another dog (Catahoula Cur mix) three times already and pierced three separate wounds each time. The last wound probably required a few stitches, but my roommates don’t seem to understand what is wrong.
I know they love dogs, but their lack of responsibility and inability to take care of them makes me so angry and I don’t know what to do about it. They have a one year old baby and another baby due in June, so I’m worried about what will happen when the Shepherd’s aggression gets worse! I want to tell them something, but I am very passive. I don’t even know if this is my place and I doubt they will respond well to my concerns. Please advise!
Thank you worried roommate
Hello roommate :
There are actually a few things you can do here, but it depends on how much you love dogs. If you are super passive, you are probably correct that a full confrontation with them will probably fail. They will defend themselves for being called bad dog owners and then find a way to make you feel guilty even for saying something. So let’s look at a few more options.
First, you yourself will start caring for these dogs. Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t be responsible for these animals , but these poor puppies need a hero. You could be that hero if you want. Ask your neighbors if you can take them for a walk (that’s good for you too) and bathe them from time to time, then buy a bag of little dog treats you can use to teach them basic things like sitting. They will likely be more than happy to shift the responsibility to you, and the dogs will love finally getting attention.
If dogs are not your cup of tea, then you need to turn things over to better hands. There is no doubt that these dogs are neglected and mistreated – kept in cages, never cleaned, never walked, never treated when injured – so report this to your local abuse authority with animals. In fact, whether you want to help care for these dogs or not, I think you should report this abuse. No matter where you are, there is bound to be a group dedicated to rescuing mistreated animals and putting them in the hands of people who will truly care for them. The ASPCA , Humane Society , PETA, and even local police or animal control agencies should be able to do something, or at least guide you. Here in Los Angeles we have the Animal Cruelty Task Force, which is part of the City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. Do some internet searches for your region and see what you can unearth.
Fortunately, as a roommate, you can report abuse and neglect. To take these reports seriously, you need to:
- A written statement of everything you’ve witnessed. It’s even better if you can include the date, time, and other specific details. For example, describe in detail all the times a shepherd bit a catahula and they refused to seek medical attention for a dog’s wounds.
- Names and contact information of anyone who has witnessed the abuse or neglect. Maybe you had a friend or a significant other who also saw how this happened?
- Photos of where they are, the animals themselves and any other evidence of abuse. This is vital, so be sure to take some photos when they are not around.
Once you have all of this, you can put together a fairly detailed report that will help these dogs in one way or another. You can remain anonymous if you feel the need to, but honestly, your roommates will probably know it was you, and it’s better to keep yourself as a trusted witness in case you need to testify. You can even plan your move and then file a report right before you leave if confrontation bothers you. Whatever you decide to do, be brave and take action to help these desperate dogs. If this couple is that terrible for their dogs with one child, imagine how bad it will be when there are two of them.
That’s all for this week, but I still have a lot of frank and honest advice. Tell me what is bothering you? Maybe I can help. I probably won’t make you feel warm and misty inside, but sometimes you need tough love. Ask a question in the comments below or email me at the address you see at the bottom of the page ( please include “TIP” in the subject line ). Or tweet me with #ToughLove ! Also, DO NOT WRITE ME IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR REQUEST TO BE INCLUDED, AND PLEASE KEEP IT SHORT . I don’t have time to answer everyone for fun. “Until next time, figure it out yourself.