I was in my local shelter one day when a couple brought in two intact male bully-breed dogs. Both dogs were white, which made it easy to see how filthy they were – and to see their startling wounds. The larger, overweight dog had what may have started as a sunburn and developed into a dermatological condition. But the younger, smaller dog had truly ghastly wounds on his hind legs; it looked as if he had been tied up (or even hung) by ropes around his hind legs. Something had cut into his flesh all the way around each hind leg – but the wounds were not fresh. The wounds were partly scabbed, partly infected and raw, and the dog’s hair bore the traces of a purple over-the-counter “wound” spray. The legs were also swollen and the dog was limping on both legs.
I was discussing another matter with one of the shelter employees, and heard just bits of the conversation between the dogs’ owners and the counter staff. I heard the male owner say, “We were out of town for a day and he got caught in wire; he was caught when we got back.” My blood boiled; those wounds were neither fresh nor caused by a dog caught in wire.
Later, after the dogs were admitted to the shelter, I asked the front counter staff member about the dogs. She said that a county animal control officer received a tip about the dogs, investigated, and told the owners if they did not seek immediate veterinary attention, she was going to charge them with animal cruelty and neglect – or they could surrender the dogs. They said they couldn’t afford to treat the dogs, so they were surrendering them.
I borrowed a staffer’s camera so I could take pictures of the dogs. They kept trying to lick me through the cage bars, making it hard to get a good picture. With a kennel worker nearby to help me if need be, I entered the kennel – and both dogs gently bowled me over as they tried getting in my lap for petting and kisses. They were total sweethearts – which made me feel even worse for how poorly they had been treated.
Shelter workers see this again and again. Some of the sweetest, most patient, and overtly loving dogs come in with coats that are matted so severely, it’s as it they are wearing a suit of armor, or their skin full of birdshot pellets, or numerous broken bones.
Why is it that some of the nicest dogs are so badly treated by people? And how do they manage to stay friendly after such abuse and neglect?
Of course I agree with the statements here about how difficult it is to see the suffering of abused animals, and it’s easy to be angry at people who abuse animals.
I just feel a need to say that people shouldn’t be so quick to condmn others – I think in many cases there’s people who can’t care for animals because of their own disability, mental illness or maybe they are themselves victims of horrible abuse. So perperuating the cycle by dishing out or even wishing more harm to them isn’t helpful. The abusers also should be treated and helped to become better people – and that doesn’t happen through more punishment and abuse. They need help and should be referred for couneling and treatment for whatever is ailing them.
I have found that people who are cruel, usually display their cruelty to both animals and people. I had a husband who initially seemed like the most fun, loving, and helpful man I had ever dated. But a short time after we married, he became cruel, tried to control me, give me orders, became suspicious and even followed me at times. Told me that I smelled like men’s cologne after a church event. Said my clothing was provocative, etc., etc. One snowy night, as we were headed to a movie, he stopped the vehicle and demanded I get out and WALK HOME (8-10 miles)! It was “pitch dark” & cold with 4-5 inches of snow on the ground! I said “NO” to getting out of the vehicle.
One of my dogs, a Golden Retriever/Shepherd mix, developed cardiac and renal problems, and accidentally P’ed in the house. Unfortunately, he saw it happen and KICKED her!!! I divorced this “AH,” evicted him, and lived happily after with my 3 dogs. And, by the way, I did NOT get out of the vehicle and walk home in the snow!
We HAD been to several sessions with a profesional counselor, made little to no progress. The counselor was “flirty” with me, and I stopped going to sessions. Later saw a local news story about him, that reported he had been found guilty of inappropriate touching of & conversation with female clients. His license to practice was suspended & eventually terminated. There were criminal charges also. So pay attention to your instincts
O.K., so I am crying yet again reading this. How can humans be so AWFUL to dogs, the most wonderful things on earth.