Dogsat now dog wont leave

Question
Hi Jill, my situation is that I live on a military base and noticed that I got new neighbors. I went to introduce myself and welcome them to the neighborhood seeing that they are a young couple just had twins and just got a new puppy. They are both in the military and work days so the puppy spends a lot of time alone outside in the back yard, most of the time with no toys. Soon after my own dog had to be put to sleep because he was not getting better from a bout with pancreatitis. I had not even had him for a whole year, so with good intintions for the well being of their dog I offered to walk him. I noticed that he began to bark most of the time they were gone during the day. Then they told me they would be going out of town for 2 weeks and I offered to puppysit, so they wouldn't worry about him. They agreed and I did. My husband and I have kids age 5,6 and 7 and we all enjoyed the time we took care of the puppy. First problem was I asked them to get him some more toys because he was teething, I had seen at least 2 teeth fall out so far. But they didn't and financially we couldn't afford to buy him a lot at the time, so I made him toys tied some rope up and cut open and stuffed a tennis ball with soft food and froze it, to give him when we had to go out. Now that they are back, they are still lacking on his toys, he's not very entertained being out there alone every day so he's learned to jump their fence, (almost a 5 food cement brick fence and he looks like a jack russell pitbull mix 7 or 8 months old)I didn't think he was that athletic...But now every day when they put him outside, he hops the fence and comes to my house, sometimes just sit out in my backyard, other times the kids see him and tell me and I take him back. Could he just be confused because he got comfortable at our house during their vacation? Am I doing more harm than good walking him for them? I wonder as well if in my grieving the loss of my dog, I bonded with theirs when he stayed with us, maybe they hadn't bonded with him yet? I  really want to solve this issue, and I am afraid of him getting hit by a car or something. I appreciate your time, Thanks.


Answer
That dog is being seriously neglected; I wonder if he's even had adequate veterinary attention (shots, worming, etc., let alone being neutered.)  You are doing the humane thing (and I commend you) by giving this dog WHAT HE DESPERATELY NEEDS AND REQUIRES.  I suggest you speak to the dog's owners.  They obviously really don't care for him.  perhaps they will readily and willingly relinquish the dog into your custody.  If this doesn't work: if the dog is left outdoors WITH NO SHELTER, NO FOOD AND NO WATER, the local humane society (NOT the dog warden) should respond to your complaint. If the humane society is not overburdened by a large population with multiple animals being abused and neglected, they will act on your complaint (and you will remain anonymous.)  At that time, they will visit the home, inquire after the dog's veterinary records (has he been vaccinated, has he had a rabies shot, is he being adequately fed, etc.).  After such a visit, it's my guess that the humane officer will issue them a summons (because the dog is being left outdoors with no food, water or shelter and is most likely not vaccinated) or even remove the dog from their custody.  If they are fined, they will most likely be willing to give up the dog to your care.  if the dog is removed, it will be rehabilitated (after evaluation and medical treatment) and placed in a new home.  Be certain you contact the NO KILL SHELTER (SPCA) and not the dog warden.

One other thing: if the dog is jumping the fence and is on your property, he can be removed by animal control as a "nuisance".  You can speak to the supervisor of the town municipal shelter; should the owners choose not to pay the fine involved for a dog running free (providing there are leash laws in your area), you can arrange to adopt the dog.  However, this will readily identify you as the person who made the original complaint.  If you are on a military base, I think local laws do not pertain, in which case you would need to approach the commander of the base.  Meanwhile, do not give up on this dog; you are his only hope.
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