West Seattle Blog...

WSB Forum » Open Discussion

1. LisaM
   Member Profile

   

   Please keep an eye out for any dogs/animals that are being left out in the cold without adequate shelter, food and water. You can report this to Seattle Animal Shelter at 386-PETS.
   If you need assistance with your pets and are low-income, Pasados Safe Haven can help:

   LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS:
   PASADO’S SAFE HAVEN PROVIDES FREE:
   --DOG & CAT SHELTERS & BEDS; COATS FOR DOGS
   --PET FOOD
   --FLEA TREATMENT (vital, parasites cause anemia and death)
   --HORSE BLANKETS Size 81 and above
   --Call 360-793-9393

   Posted 3 years ago #         

2. mellaw6565
   Member Profile

   

   Yes - please please report people who are leaving their animals out!! Better yet, bang on their door and see if they'll bring them in first and try to educate them.

   Did anyone hear about the woman somewhere on the East Coast who let her obese dog out during a blizzard, watched him sitting on the sidewalk and kept calling him (thinking he was too fat and lazy to come in) only to have the police discover that the dog was frozen to the sidewalk and died after being left out there for 6 hours!!! They charged here with animal cruelty - good!! Stick her out in the friggin' cold on the sidewalk and see how long she lasts!!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

3. RainyDay1235
   Member Profile

   

   Oh god, that hurts my heart.

   There is a house a few blocks down that keep their (seemingly aggressive and probably equally afraid) pit-like dog tied to a kid's jungle gym all day - and likely all night. It has a decrepit old doghouse and a dirty blanket. It leaps vertically into the air as we walk our dog down the alley - a guard dog I guess?

   Very sad....is there anyone I should call or is none of my business. I haven't been by in a week or so. I think I might just to see if ther are making the dog stay out in this!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

4. mellaw6565
   Member Profile

   

   If the dog is out - I would definitely knock and talk to them. Technically, the shelter and blanket "meet" the requirements, although it's not ideal.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

5. LisaM
   Member Profile

   

   It is our business - animals cannot speak for themselves - Pitts are especially vulnerable to the cold as they do not have fur- please either offer the free supplies to them - or call the shelter and report it (see my original post.
   Thank you!!!!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

6. mellaw6565
   Member Profile

   

   Lisa - how about talking to the owner and educating them before reporting them? Geez....

   Posted 3 years ago #         

7. Cait
   Member Profile

   

   Though neglectful, if the dog has shelter and access to water all day technically that's all you can do. And if it looks physically healthy. I actually dealt with this a few years ago and that's what I was told.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

8. RainyDay1235
   Member Profile

   

   I have ZERO intention of approaching this house. I would never dream of doing so in the most ideal situation, let alone this house which quite frankly resembles a drug den. I'll check and if the dog is still out in this weather, I'll call the Shelter to investigate. Thanks.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

9. mellaw6565
   Member Profile

   

   RainyDay - nice assumption on your part about your neighbor's based on the outward appearance of the place. Have you ever taken the time to meet and/or talk with them? Maybe they are just poor.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

10. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    I would be worried about the vertical leaper in the front yard. I would imagine that's mostly what rainy's talking about before we jump down his/her throat. If your instincts tell you not to approach a house DO NOT APPROACH IT. That's just common sense, mellaw, I'm sorry. I don't judge people by this standard (because really how can you) but if it situation doesn't look good, it's probably not good!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

11. RainyDay1235
    Member Profile

    

    Yes, it WAS a nice assumption, thank you. I am very intuitive that way. I have yet to be mugged, raped, or beaten by getting myself into a bad situation. I do not know these people, have no desire to, and would certainly not make this be my introduction.

    I am so tired of the assocation of "poor" with filty. This house has about 8 broken down cars in its back alley; with a yard is full of junk. And this sad, abused dog IS a danger to everyone if it ever breaks free from that prison of an existence.

    Tell you what Mellaw...I'll go get the address and YOU can go talk to them.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

12. mellaw6565
    Member Profile

    

    Cait- based on Rainy's post, the dog was not the reason that she didn't want to go to the house. If so, then she could have stated it that way.

    Otherwise, I'm sick of the elitist and intolerant attitude of some in W. Seattle that deem any house that looks bad as a "drug den" and refuse to be good and upfront neighbors by dealing with people directly. Some of my nicest neighbors live in very poorly maintained houses - doesn't make them drug dens! Get a clue!

    Ask Animal Control or any other agency and they'll tell you that one of the biggest issues in this area where pet neglect is concerned is the number of pet owners from other countries where ownership and care are not regulated. These folks need to be educated, not reported, IMO.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

13. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Honestly I'll be the first to point out when someone is being elitist, but this is a real stretch. She wasn't implying they were poor, she was implying that they kept poor care of their dog who has the capability to be aggressive. Anyone who cares for a pit bull, or any dog really, in that way is not someone whose door I want to knock on period. Never mind what's in the yard. I think you're under the impression that this is the house equivalent of racism or classism or something... I think when it comes to your environment you need to have your wits about you. It's not a matter of prejudice it's instinct which seems to have served Rainy well in the past.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

14. LisaM
    Member Profile

    

    The shelter will do the educating, it's their job and your tax money goes to them for that reason. They are trained to handle any situation, we are not. That is always the first step they take unless the dog is in imminent danger or is being obviously abused. This is not about judging people, its about protecting the animals and neighborhood.
    Again, you have the choice to offer the support directly or call the shelter, everyone has to do what is right/safe for them.
    Thanks again...

    Posted 3 years ago #         

15. mellaw6565
    Member Profile

    

    I'd be happy to talk to them Rainy - tell me when and where.

    Cait - her attitude in her subsequent posts just proves my point.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

16. Kayleigh2
    Member Profile

    I love ya, Mellaw, but there isn't something wrong with everybody who simply doesn't handle things the way you would. It's unfair and foolish to insist that anybody disregard their instincts that a situation is unsafe.

    Thanks for caring about the dog, Rainy.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

17. Cait
    Member Profile

    

    Maybe it's just living in the West Seattle equivalent of the ghetto that has heightened my spidey sense for danger. Honestly there are well kept houses that I won't go in if I get bad vibes.

    Listen to your vibes, folks. And throw the doggie a biscuit next time you see him.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.