Difficult Choices...and Wally!!

So this week I have been dealing with this inner-conflict with a decision I made to call Animal Control on a family that lives nearby. I do not know this family at all, so the majority of my decision making was based upon what I observed from driving by their home.

The first sign of neglect began about a year-or-so-ago. This family resides on a major busy road about a mile-and-a-half from my home; a road that I, as well as my other family members I live with, travel very often. My brother was driving down said road when a dog came running out in the road and he accidently hit the dog. My brother, being a caring human being, pulled into the median and witnessed the dog being hit a second time by another moving vehicle, who chose to continue driving. My brother proceeded to pick up the possible chow chow mix and, I'm not sure how he knew what home the dog came from--I think a neighbor may have pointed the way, took the dog to its home. Upon telling the owners that their dog had been struck by a 2 ton car their response was, "....he looks fine!!". The owners were in a hurry to go somewhere and took the dog from my brother and placed him in the yard, carelessly. My brother, confused and a bit stunned, just kinda walked off.

To be honest, I had never really noticed this dog before my brother had the accident with him. Since the accident I look for the dog every time I pass by the house (which is at least 3-4 times per week). This house, as I already stated, is on a main road and the owner's of the home have chosen to fence in the front of the house. Every time I pass by the house this dog is just lying in the middle of the yard or sitting by the door. There is no shelter in the yard for the dog (even though I don't personally believe this makes up for the dog not being indoors) and his thick orange coat appears to be all matted. All of these things are observations I have made over the last year. I don't agree with dog's being left outside--they're a member of your family and you would not leave a child outside over night in a thunderstorm! (I know some people would...but that's a whole different discussion for a different time!)

So recently I was driving by the home and, as always, I looked for orange dog and I saw him walking around the yard...except this time he was on three legs instead of four. That fourth leg he was holding up, appearing as though it was a cruciate tear, but I can't know for sure. At this point, the animal being outside at all hours, the matted coat, and the leg injury made me make the decision to call Animal Control. Is this enough evidence? Should I have attempted to speak to neighbors regarding the dog??

I called Animal Control stating possible animal neglect knowing that if it was nothing, then it was nothing...but if the animal was truly being neglected something could be done! But what is that something?? Would Animal Control take him and he'd merely end up euthanized?? I truly don't see him being adopted, he appeared to be middle age and he looked pretty rough around the edges.

So I'm dealing with this inner-conflict. Did I do the right thing by calling and possibly making this family deal with false allegations? or Did I do the correct thing by looking out for an innocent animal who may really be neglected?? I've called Animal Control since to see if there are results of the case and the owner's of orange dog stated that he's hardly every outside. Who knows!!

I very well could be wrong and orange dog could belong to a very loving family, but I don't think it's wrong to call and be safe if you're concerned.

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Pet of the Day!!!!!

My pet of the day is Wally!!!

I don't have too much info. on Wally because there isn't really anything on the website. But I found Wally at the Louisiana ASPCA and I think he's adorable!!