Policemen and Puppies

what to do, what to do.........

I'm having a tough time with this. My neighbor is a police officer who recently purchased a handsome boxer puppy, a little boy. Named him Champ. All was going well until approx. two weeks ago.....

He now leaves this cuddly 3-month old puppy chained up outside 24/7, sometimes without food and water (I sneak down there during the day and water him at least 3 times a week). When Champ would bark and whine (mostly from loneliness, I think), this "upholder of the law" would come outside and beat him.

As if this isn't bad enough, I was walking my dog (Elijah, a well-loved mutt...he's my boy!!!) past the home of this supposed "carrier of justice", I noticed Champ (or Champers, as I call him) hobbling around on three legs. Naturally I stopped to see what was wrong (I couldn't help myself, given the checkered -albeit short- past he's had with his new owner). This poor little puppy has a broken right hind leg, and I suspect his owner did it out of anger (accidentally, most likely...but no excuses!).

So here's my problem- what do I do? I called the Humane Society, and was told the only thing I could do is call the local police department (did I mention this asshole is a police officer???) and personally press charges against him for animal cruelty. I know how police are, and while I'm not afraid of retribution, I certainly don't need a cop with a grudge on my back.......

What should I do? Moreover....what would YOU do? A little advice, some suggestions, anything.......
14,684 views 27 replies
Reply #1 Top
oh man I am sorry to hear about this situation.

I am a HUGE pet lover. I have 2 birds, a snake, a turtle, 3 cats and 1 big dog.

I am a big animal lover and would be brought to tears seeing an animal hurt with a broken leg *already ran into one and freaked out my hubby cause I was in tears hysterical and could hardly speak*.

I am very glad you called the Humane Society. I would follow there suggestion and call the police. If nothing else I feel this issue needs to be "investigated". I am hard core for the best welfare for all animals. I know the "guy" is a police officer but still with a hurt animal the "guy" at least needs to be looked into. To me the welfare of the animal is important.


I support you for all you have done so far. I know its a tough situation and I am sorry that you are in it.

Thanks for sharing and I will support whatever you deem right to do. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you


Blessings

Anne
Reply #2 Top
Personally, I couldn't give a rats ass what his title is...titles don't mean squat...I'd report him straight away to the ASPCA. Don't let titles intimidate you...do the right thing. ;)
Reply #3 Top
I would call, even if my neighbor was a president of USA. Animals have right not to be abused.
Reply #4 Top
Go to the local State Police headquarters with a couple witnesses.

or shoot him. :)
Reply #5 Top
hmmm....personally....I like the 'shoot him' option..... :NOTSURE:

but before trying the cops....I'd have thought your ASPCA would have the power to investigate it.

Seems there are ASPCA humane law enforcement agents who would be better equipped to deal with the situation and perhaps treat your complaint with confidentiality.......WWW Link

On their forum....they have a case of taking a neighbour to the municipal court....but it could take months....a long long time for a puppy suffering like that.......WWW Link

A good idea to take some photos if you can......good luck with it....please let us know what happens.....would be great if he was removed permanently........the puppy that is.....not the neighbour.... ;p .....well... :NOTSURE: 
Reply #6 Top
Just steal the dog and give it to someone who will care for it properly. He'll think it slipped it's chain and ran away. Take it to the aspca if necessary. Then go back and kick this idiots ass. Don't give him a reason, just kick his ass. I detest people like him.
Reply #7 Top
Have you talked to yoru neighbor?  Start there.
Then, if that fails,  steal the dog and take it somewhere safe
Reply #8 Top
why talk to the neighbor? he obviously doesn't care about the dog or he wouldn't beat it. call the state police and don't say the neighbor is a cop, just give the address. after that, shoot the ass! if you dont' want to, tell me the address and i'll do it!  :(  :(  :(  :( 
Reply #9 Top
Report the bastard. Do it now. Call the local TV station. Call the local newspaper. If this idiot gets exposed on TV and in print his bosses aren't gonna be happy. They don't want the local Police looking like Mike Vick. :( :(
Reply #10 Top
steal the dog and take it somewhere safe
End of quote


That usually leads nowhere, as he probably would get another one within a couple of weeks time.

When I was still living in Australia, my neighbour and I were in a similar situation a couple of years ago, and we 'stole' a puppy, which was chained to a tree (the leash was attached to a higher branch of the tree, and the puppy wasn't even able to lie down or move away a bit to release itself!), without food and hardly any water 24/7.

At first we just went and fed and watered the dog twice a day as every single rib was showing on the poor thing. After a while we got fed up and took it for a daily walk too. One day my neighbour decided that this was pointless and just took the dog (which at that time was sick and pucking its guts out), to a vet and afterwards to her own home.

Less than two weeks later, this horrible person had another puppy chained to her tree. We realized that we couldn't go on with taking dogs home, or we would wind up with an animal shelter. So we informed the police, which just told us that chaining a dog 24/7 was not against the law in Australia. Then we called the RSPCA, but they told us that the only thing they can do was to go and talk to her, as they did not have any legal basis to stand on and besides, they had only one officer for the whole Northern Rivers area and we should try and solve the problem ourselves.

At least the local police-officer went and tried to talk to the person a couple of times, which usually resulted in the dog getting off the chain for a couple of hours, before it was back again. I don't know what happened to this poor puppy afterwards as I left Australia.

If I were you, I would first check whether chaining a dog 24/7 is against the law in the US (it is in Switzerland). If yes, it is certainly worth while to report to the police. If not, you might get yourself into a lot of trouble with our police-neighbour without being able to improve the situation for the dog.

Maybe you could call the local animal-shelter and ask them whether they have knowledge of similar situations, and what would be the best thing way to handle this.

I take it that the dog is chained in the backyard? Maybe someone from the shelter could 'per chance' visit you, see the dog, be outraged and turn in your police-guy in their own name?
Reply #11 Top
Well, thanks for all the input. I did what needed to be done....I called the police, and spoke directly to the Chief. He said that he would send a car out to look at the puppy. If it was as bad as I reported, then the humane society would be dispatched to the house to take the puppy.

Got home from work at 3:15 this morning. Took my dog out for a walk.....

The puppy isn't there now.

I'm hoping for the best......

BTW...I agreed to testify against the cop if it went to trial.......
Reply #12 Top
If I were you, I would first check whether chaining a dog 24/7 is against the law in the US (it is in Switzerland). If yes, it is certainly worth while to report to the police. If not, you might get yourself into a lot of trouble with our police-neighbour without being able to improve the situation for the dog.
End of quote


aufisch: It's not the fact that this puppy is outside 24/7.....it's the lack of food and water (especially WATER), the beatings I have witnessed (who the hell beats a 3-month old puppy for crying because they have no food, water, or even love??), and the broken leg. I know it was broken. I've had a dog break the same leg (goofball ran into a passing car...).

As far as I'm concerned, he's a p.o.s. who needs to have his leg broken just above the knee......and left outside in the sleet and freezing rain with no shelter, food, or water.
Reply #13 Top
You did the right thing Killajosh. Never be afraid to do the right thing. ;) And please keep us informed.
Reply #14 Top
very glad to hear it killajosh....hope the puppy can now have a chance with a new, loving owner.....and not be too damaged from the experience.....lots of tlc should do the trick...... :) 
Reply #15 Top
I hope so syd. I'm glad our local Humane Society Animal Shelter is a euthnasia-free shelter. I'm going to call them after they open and see if I can come see Champ(...ers). I might adopt him, too. Elijah (my black lab/black chow) really likes him. Of course, Elijah also likes cats (I call him a traitor to the puppy cause) and will even let the neighborhood cats RUB THEIR HEAD ON HIS FACE!!!!!
Reply #16 Top
I might adopt him, too.
End of quote


don't think there could be a better owner for him.....someone who knows exactly what he's been through.... :) 
Reply #17 Top
A lot of police officers are on a power trip and can be real dicks. Keep this in mind as if he knows it was you that turned him in, he will be looking for some pay back. I know this firsthand as I worked for my local sheriffs dept. for 10 years.
It takes a heck of a guy to knowingly put themself in such a bad position to save a puppy, but one things for sure...you did the right thing.
Reply #18 Top
Any update on this Josh? I would like to know if the pup is ok...... B[]
Reply #19 Top
I just saw this today..... :SNIFF!:

Shocking story :SURPRISED:

People like that cop really burn my ass.... :( :( :(


Let us know what happened.
Reply #20 Top
Update: I was contacted by the Chief of Police this past Monday about the puppy. Apparently, the guy who owned this pup is NOT a police officer. He is a security guard for the local community college (who just tells people he is a policeman). The Chief was highly pissed about the whole situation, and informed my neighbor that he would be arrested if he continued telling people he was an officer.

As for the puppy, his leg was definitely broken. Animal Control was sent to the house and picked up the puppy, then took it to a vet. There is a police officer with a couple of young kids who is paying to have the pup's leg fixed, and then is adopting him. I wanted Champ, but after talking to the Chief, I decided it would be best to let this officer to adopt him (being so close to this "wannabe" cop).

So, a happy ending to a bad situation.....

Thanks for all the concern. That's why I love this site......
Reply #21 Top

but after talking to the Chief, I decided it would be best to let this officer to adopt him (being so close to this "wannabe" cop).
End of quote

That was gonna be my advice....not to adopt...if you're next door to the twit....;)

Reply #22 Top
Glad it turned out well. Still, your guard up with this clown.
Reply #23 Top
Huh, just saw this. Glad everything worked out well. A lot of folks would have just ignored the situation. You're a good person killajosh.

While living in CA, the missus and I took a dog from a guy that lived behind us. Dalmation. He'd leave for days at a time (up to a week) and leave the dog outside chained to the clothesline. We're talking High Desert California (Twentynine Palms). HOT!

He'd leave a big bowl of water and a big bowl of food, of course the dog would eat/spill all the food and same with the water. So one day, we took it. He never inquired about it, and we lived right behind him, he could see the dog in our yard! What a loser.
Reply #24 Top
Still, your guard up with this clown
End of quote


I wouldn't worry about him....... men that hit women and defenceless animals are not real men, and would never get into a fight with someone who can defend themselves.
I know this from past experience of facing down woman beaters, they are cowards, usually.
Reply #25 Top
*huggles Boxxi* Thank you MUCH for that Sentiment.

I WHOLE Heartedly agree with what you said :)


and Josh thanks Very much for the update. I am glad the pup is being adopted and I sure hope the family takes great care of him.


Thanks for the info and updates :D


Anne