http://www.boredpanda.com/man-finds-dog-id-tag-dew-adventures/
Things are weird out there. Chips, tags, electric fences; sometimes, that's all we've got.
Posted on 04/21/2017 9:44:59 AM PDT by pabianice
Lone Star Dog Ranch 16 hrs ·
The story I’m about to tell you has made me feel shock, anger, disappointment, and ultimately sadness because the dog is the one who loses and we couldn’t do anything about it.
It started almost 3 weeks ago when Travis went to a lovely dinner at a restaurant out in east Texas. A lot of friends sharing good food and good wine -only to have circumstances change into a possible rescue scenario. There was one sweet Lab there that Travis spent some time with and the people that worked at the restaurant said that she along with other dogs that come and go had been out there for over a month. Travis stayed the night there and he told them - and me - that if she was still there in the morning when they were leaving he would take her home and find a better life for her.
And so that’s how it played out in the morning. Travis brought her to the Ranch, gave her a bath because she was covered in fleas and she had lots of patches of bald skin from obvious skin infection. We had her at Dr. D’s within a couple of days to begin getting her healthy.
Travis received a call at the Ranch a couple days after he brought her home from a woman saying that she thinks this dog is the same dog she saw on a online garage sale site as missing. Travis told her to please have the person who says they lost her to call him personally and let him know how she can identify the dog as hers because this one had obviously been living on the street as a stray for over a month. She assured him that she would message this person with all the details.
The call from the supposed owner never came - until *twelve* days later. I received a call myself from a woman who, when I answered the phone rudely stammered: “You have my dog and I want her back.” I said: “Really? Can you identify your dog?” She said: “She’s a black Lab, she’s not spayed and she has no collar.” I said: “That’s the only way you can identify your dog?”
She said: “I know its my dog - I live by the restaurant and she went missing that day.” I said: “Well this dog had been out there for over a month eating out of the dumpster.” She said: “Well, sometimes she roams around, but that’s my dog.”
I said: “Can you identify anything physically about your dog? She has a substantial scar, can you tell me where it is?” She said: “Well, she has a couple dog bite scars on her legs.” I said: “That’s not what I’m looking for. This dog has an old substantial puncture wound on her abdomen - that any person who owned her would be able to identify.”
She then accused our rescue of only rescuing *designer dogs”* “dogs that you can turn a profit on.” I chuckled at the insinuation and asked her if she knows what a designer dog is? She said: “Yes -Labradoodles.” I said: “We’ve never had any Doodle in our rescue and I don’t appreciate the insinuation that we are rescuing dogs for a profit. You obviously don’t have a clue what we are doing or have done in the past. This Lab that is supposedly yours has already cost us over $300 in veterinary care and with her upcoming spay it will be another $400 on top of that. Her adoption fee is set at $250 - so yeah - your math doesn’t check out.”
I asked her if it was a common occurrence for this Lab of hers to wander around the countryside with no identification and without having been spayed? She said that she made an appointment for her to be spayed 3 times but each time the appointment time came she didn’t have the money to do it. I said: “Do me a favor gather all of the information about this dog of yours to prove that it’s yours because we don’t turn dogs over to people just because they say it’s theirs.”
Our phone call ended there but a couple of hours later I get a call from sheriff Alan McCandless of Camp County Texas who tells me that he’s been the sheriff there for 20 years and he understands that we have stolen someones dog. I explained that we did nothing of the sort and we picked up a dog that was eating out of the dumpster and getting beaten up by 2 other dogs over the trash that was falling out on the ground. He informed me that this dog belonged to her. I said: “What proof do you have?” He had no proof of any kind available - but he said he was sure it was hers. He then proceeded to tell me that all the dogs out there in Camp County just run around wherever they want to and eat out of whatever dumpster is good - including his own, and this was just their way of life.
You know - a way of life consisting of constant danger of being hit by cars on the nearby highway, being shot by residents that don’t want them on their property, or whatever else the hand of fate may have in store for them.
He then informed me curtly that I *would* return the dog. I told him that I would *not* return the dog until the “owner” could *prove* that the dog was hers. Simply listing basic characteristics that could easily have been discovered by reading our own posts about the dog such as: “She was a black Lab, she had no collar and she isn’t spayed” was simply not enough (or really, any) proof for me.
He then began to explain to me (again) how these dogs out there in east Texas that live by the restaurant go to the dumpster all the time and it is just a natural thing for the dogs to go fight over it. I told him that no dog of mine would ever live this way and he said: “Well, I’m sure you live in some kind of fancy neighborhood where there are “leash laws.” I said: “No, I actually live out in the country myself and there are no leash laws here either - and you still wouldn’t catch any of my dogs running loose all over the countryside relying on dumpster diving to find food. Oh, and all of them have identification on them and are microchipped if they ever did “get out.” He then said: “Well I’m sure you have a lot more money than these people do.” I then told him “A collar and an ID tag doesn’t cost that much - and how about you keep your dog secure on your own property where they’re safe?”
He chuckled at me and said: “It just doesn’t work that way - out there they have no animal control, no animal control officer and no leash laws for any dogs.” I said: “Then I suppose it’s just legal to shoot dogs coming on to your property?” He said: “Well - if they are causing a problem.” He then said: “You can’t just pick up a dog out here and assume it doesn’t belong to someone.” I laughed and said: “How on earth would you know if a dog that’s been eating out of a dumpster for over a month belongs to someone?”
He informed me that Travis should have called him first to find out. I asked him: “So - you’re not just the sheriff - you’re the animal control guy too? That’s in your job description as the sheriff? Before we pick up this obviously neglected, abandoned dog and rescue it - we’re supposed to call the sheriff to find out if he personally “is sure” this or any dog belongs to someone? And unless we do that - it’s theft? How do *you* know who the strays are?” He said: Well, I would go ask around to find out.”
I informed him that not only does his job suck - but the area that they live is akin to another planet in my mind. Dogs that have good homes don’t “run around” as strays, without identification of any kind on them, aren’t covered in fleas, and they certainly don’t frequent the local dumpster of a restaurant and fight with other dogs - and they aren’t unspayed waiting to get pregnant.
He said: “Well, that doesn’t mean they aren’t loved.” I said “I beg to differ.”
He then assured me that he was going to call the Collin County sheriffs office where we live and have them escort him on our property to secure the dog. I said: “You will not remove the dog without a court order -which I imagine would require evidence of some kind.” He said: “Then I will have you arrested for theft.” I said: “Go ahead.” And our phone call ended.
The next day an investigator for the Collin County sheriffs dept. came out to take down our information. He did not ask for the dog. Turns out he was a big dog lover and shook his head at the nonsense and waste of manpower that was happening here. He took his report and said he would file it with his lieutenant.
Yesterday the Sheriff of Camp County called again saying he was coming out for the dog and asked to speak to me. Jessica told him I wasn’t there - and he repeated that he was coming to get the dog. Jessica told him: “You will not take the dog without a court order from a judge.” He said: “If that’s how you guys want to play it - then that’s what I’ll do - and I’ll bring our arrest warrants for all of you at the same time.” Jessica said: “Go ahead.”
On Monday they all came together - four of them - and he presented a court order from a judge - who happens to be the only judge in Camp County - (and the two other neighboring counties out there as well)
This “owner” has no proof that this dog was hers, and neither the sheriff nor the judge give a crap that she doesn’t have any proof. I’m sure she’s never been to the vet, I’m sure she’s never been vaccinated, it’s obvious that she doesn’t have any ID, and she couldn’t even identify distinguishing things about the dog she’s claiming that is currently in heat and quite possibly pregnant.
From Travis; After loading her up I went over her medications and heart worm schedule. I explained to, and showed him her skin infection that's just now clearing up, and that if it was left untreated the other host of problems she would face without being on a steady course of antiboitics. And of course the glaring fact that she is in full blown heat to the point where she's flagging neutered males here at the ranch and that we've been very careful with her because of this. I told him: "If this dog isn't confined to a yard, she's gonna be taking off to find a male. This is pretty upsetting situation because returning this dog to whatever former owner she had will put her in jeopardy if she can't be confined." He then assured me that this owner has a secured fence now, and they made an appointment to have her spayed soon.
After looking her over he decided to blurt out that he once had a black lab just like her, but 10x sweeter. She would wander too, and that one day she ended up getting shot in face from a shotgun leaving her blind. He couldn't prove anything of course, because all someone with a sick mind who wants to shoot something for "sport" has to say is that the dog was going after their chickens or livestock etc. This left me confused and shocked for a few seconds wondering who was arguing for the best welfare of the dog. Then he went on to tell me again that this is the way of life out here; "My dogs even wander to the neighbors house and their dog wanders to my house" so I said; "What's to stop them from wandering to the wrong neighbors house and being shot in the face?" There was no retort, just more talk of his open range county, and how people are supposed to fence in, rather than out...nonsense.
What a terrible life these dogs have. There's no bond, there's no structure or affection. They just think that these dogs have a great life out wandering wherever they want go. Dealing with the many hazards of neighbors and wildlife. Owning a dog like that is basically like trapping a wild animal and confining it only to be ignored. How many times does your dog go missing in this lifestyle? Do they even know? And when they go missing and never come back because they get bitten by a snake, or shot in the face by someone who just wanted to shoot something, what kinda story do you make up in your head about what happened? Do you even care? Or is it just; "well I'll just get another dog cause it's been six months and they haven't come home; not that I even made any attempt to find the dog." And the cycle continues.
Travis had a long conversation with all involved but ultimately the dog was handed over to the sheriff of Camp County because he had his court order signed by Judge Danny Woodson who is a district judge from the good ol boys club.
He brought a filthy tiny crate to haul her back to the terrible place she came from and there wasn’t a damn thing we could do about it.
So I conclude with what I began with, the story that made me angry, frustrated, shocked and ultimately sad is the story of Syrah who has now lost the hope of a good life where she would be loved, and safe and protected from the dangers of the world to be thrown back out in the backwoods to roam, have pups, eat out of a dumpster, get hit by a car, or shot because some backwoods sheriff has determined that identifying a dog with being a female, black Lab, with no collar and a uterus is enough to come and take her to suffer that life forever more, which I think sucks in a big way and that is just sad...
In closing I would like to add that we have already been told that today, less than 48 hours later, she is already running loose and eating out of the dumpster again, and no doubt is pregnant by now.
Go pick up the dog and don’t advertise. As a drop off there are other rescues that outside of the geographical area which could help.
As a rescue are you 501(c)3? If so, deduct the mileage for relocation.
Travis received a call at the Ranch a couple days after he brought her home from a woman saying that she thinks this dog is the same dog she saw on a online garage sale site as missing. Travis told her to please have the person who says they lost her to call him personally and let him know how she can identify the dog as hers because this one had obviously been living on the street as a stray for over a month. She assured him that she would message this person with all the details.
When that nosy woman called, Travis should have just said, “too late, the real owner, a person driving a pickup with a camper shell and out-of-state plates (Vermont maybe, I forget), drove off with the dog two days ago.”
Yep, just pick up the dog and don’t say boo to anyone about it. If necessary, place the dog with someone you trust in a location a distance away from where you found her.
“What would YOU do?”
I’m married to a Marine. I’d tell him about it and the problem would go away and then I would not ask him how he managed that result.
That’s what I thought. But the first paragraph is so strangely written that I still don’t understand where the dog was when first recued; a restaurant??
What’s not clear to me is the woman who called Travis, how did she know Travis had this dog? Was she at the restaurant when he took the dog home? That’s what I think. Or did Travis actually advertise somewhere, which some other poster on this thread seems to think.
Pick her back up in the dark of the night and get her out of the state. There are plenty of truckers that run rescue while they are running their loads. She could be easily brought east in a day. I have met many a trucker on rescue runs and it is amazing how they find the room in the cabin of their rigs to transport while they are working. Big hearts some of them have! Find the right rescue and they will be able to quietly move her out quick.
She is just one of thousands and thousands that are mistreated. Sad!
The story is not told well. I didn’t get that dogs were running free at a dumpster near a restaurant until many paragraphs in.
All this story tells me is that there are some Americans who treat their dogs as badly as muslims!
Unfortunately that is a fairly common mindset among rural southerners. Dogs receive minimal vet care if any and are fed the cheapest food. Some of it is cost but some of it is lack of knowledge. We have a veterinarian practice in our town that is trying to educate pet owners as to the responsibilities of having their pets, it’s an uphill battle.
All this story tells me is that there are some Americans who treat their dogs as badly as muslims!
All this story tells me is that there are some Americans who treat their dogs as badly as muslims treat women!
I’m curious as to how the dog reacted when she saw the “owner”. Was there recognition and tail-wagging? Was there fear? Was there simply no reaction, as if the “owner” was just another random stranger?
Younger daughter has a black lab and he’s awesome. Greets me every single time I come home with kisses and a wagging tail and barely containable excitement. A loved dog will do that for the humans they recognize. If that woman didn’t get at least a little bit of that kind of treatment she’s either a liar about being the owner or she’s a piece of crap person that doesn’t deserve a dog.
http://www.boredpanda.com/man-finds-dog-id-tag-dew-adventures/
Things are weird out there. Chips, tags, electric fences; sometimes, that's all we've got.
Friend’s were coming to TX from Calif. They had a VW van. Their shy cat hid most of the time. Got to TX and no cat. So, last place they saw her was Tuscon. Owner and me flew to Tuscon, rented a car and stopped at all the places they had on their receipts to see if anyone had seen cat and we let a reward poster. She had more than a few calls of “we have your cat”!!!!! It never was her cat as the one identifying mark was not seen!!!
Back woods are back woods. Shame about this beautiful Lab.
People are going to prison for maltreating animals these days.
Guess they haven't gotten the memo in Camp County yet.
He should’ve asked her to bring a copy of the dog’s medical history from her vet. It should list any injuries the dog was treated for. Then he would have evidence as to whether the dog was hers or not.
Regardless, he should go pick up the dog & take him to a shelter a long ways away, as others have suggested. If the sheriff calls, refuse to have a discussion about it.
“Yep, just pick up the dog and don’t say boo to anyone about it. If necessary, place the dog with someone you trust in a location a distance away from where you found her.”
We got a dog from our local shelter nearly 4 years ago, and as the bumper sticker says, “Who rescued whom?” - that dog has long since become a member of our family, and I dread the day when she will no longer be with us.
I appreciate your reply. Several times in my life I have just picked up a dog in similar circumstances to the posted article. Always either kept the dog myself or found a home. The most “brazen” instance was when I happened to spot a drunk sleeping on a sidewalk with a puppy next to him tied to a shopping cart. I stopped, untied the pup without even trying to rouse the drunk, and found a loving home with one of my colleagues. That dog lived a full life beloved by the whole family, especially their two children. I suppose technically taking the pup from the drunk was stealing, but I saved his life and he gave love and joy to an entire family. I’ll take that trade off if God ever wants to punish me for it.
We lived on a rural midwestern farm growing up in the 50’s and 60’s.
Our dog roamed. Sometimes they got hit on the highway. There was no other way back then. You just cried and went on. No fenced yards. Dog out in all kinds of weather.
But they were loved and immunized and wore collars and licenses.
It was a different time when animals were more ‘livestock’ than pet.
But now I would never allow a dog to live that life. It’s a shame this lab was taken from a good life back to a crappy one just because some sheriff and his buddies decided they were going to show you up.
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