On these pages I have documented an ever-increasing amount of dog misery and neglect that is taking place on the property next door to me. It costs me emotionally, physically, and financially. My greater concern is the safety and welfare of the dogs.
What you will see here are dogs without shelter, dogs on short tethers, dogs climbing out of pens while tethered, near-hangings, dogs roaming at large, dogs fighting, dogs baking in the sun, soaking in the rain, and freezing in the snow, dogs multiplying. There may be dogs dying, as well, but I don't have proof of that.
Because no one is putting a stop to this situation, I feel compelled to seek help by other means, whatever that may be. I hardly know where to begin, with reams of notes and many photographs, but first I will answer the obvious question: why is nothing being done?
Actually, I don't have that answer, but I can tell you that I have talked a number of times with the humane officer, and the story is always the same: the dogs are fed. That seems to be the only criterion used for the welfare of dogs in Coshocton County, Ohio. Oh, and they should have a dog house. Apparently, the dog doesn't need to be able to get into the box, and the box doesn't need to provide protection from the elements.
Never mind that the dogs are at risk of hanging, strangling, hypothermia, frostbite, heat stroke, being savagely attacked, run over, and living with a multitude of miseries. (Worms and fleas come to mind.) And never mind that the longer this goes on, the more dogs there will be, and the worse they will suffer. If the county officials cannot help these dogs, who can? And would they help them, or KILL them?
It may well be, that the dogs stand a better chance of survival where they are, than at the hands of county officials who are sold on the old lie that dogs who fall into their hands are unadoptable surplus and, therefore, SHOULD BE KILLED! And that is precisely why I have been so reluctant to press the issue with them. When I did call them, I implored them to demand better care from the owners, NOT haul the dogs off to the pound.
With that, I welcome you to view these pages, keeping in mind that the situation worsens daily. I am providing three options: a photo essay, a log of incidents as they occurred, and the full story of selected happenings. I have included a link on this page, to the dog fight, as it was really the last straw, and the most disturbing event.
Since there is a great deal of material here, you may want to take a short cut. I suggest that you view the photo essay, include One Dog's Personal Hell, and The Dog Fight, go directly to In Conclusion, and visit Unchain Your Dog. Don't miss In a Nutshell for the legal angle. There are links at the top of the page for the latest developments. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. I hope you can find a way to help these dogs. |
