If a dog wanders into your yard...

I already posted this on the Pets board, but I need help!

This is the FOURTH time (in a span of maybe 3 months) that we have found a little Jack Russel Terrier male dog (not sure how old) on our property. The first time, I called the owners, and it took them at least 25 minutes to come get it. To get to my house, the dog had to cross a semi-busy street, and go 4 blocks down. The second time, I wasn't able to catch it fast enough, but did chase the dog for a half hour. The third time, my husband drove it back to its house, and told the owners that this was the THIRD time we found the dog in our yard, and that we don't want to have to find it again. The owners said that he "likes to dig" and gets out of their yard often - obviously!. They thanked him and that was it. Now, a couple of weeks later, we're sitting in the living room, and our two dogs start barking and staring out the window. I let them outside, and they were sniffing the fence...right away, I knew the other dog was back. DH and I found it in our neighbors side yard and brought it into our house. The dogs nails clearly haven't been clipped in months, he's hungry and thirsty, and obviously isn't cared for. So now we're unsure what to do. If we bring him home, this is just going to keep happening. I already have 2 dogs myself, and keeping it is morally wrong since we know who he belongs to. If we bring it to a shelter, who knows what will happen. So what do we do?

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I know I am totally going to be in the minority here but I would keep it. I cannot stand to see animal abuse. If the dog is not taken care of and the owners clearly don't care that the poor thing keeps getting out of the yard with the risk of being hit by a car, then they shouldn't have a pet.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

how does that dog come SO far and back into your yard?? Wow!

I would call the town shelter and let them know that the dog IS neglected and how you have found him numerous times and the dog keeps getting out. If the dog is lucky, the owners won't come get it from the shelter and it can get re-adopted to a better family!

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If you have the ability to care for it, I would keep it. I have no patience or sympathy for people that neglect their pets.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

i would return it to the owners and call the ASPCA and give them the address of the owners... you dont know how they will react if you keep it you might end up getting in more trouble

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Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Three strikes and your out... or the dog is at least.


Bring it to a no-kill shelter. There are a bunch on LI. If the owners care about the dog, they will contact shelters to get him back. If you are interested in keeping the dog, let the shelter know that. After a certain amount of time... go bring home your new addition.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Thank you everyone for your advice. You all made really good points and helped us make our decision...which was hard to make!

We kept the dog at our house for a couple hours while we thought about what to do, and eventually decided that bringing it home was the right thing to do. On the way to their house, I started saying how we really should take it to a shelter and put the ball in their court to find it. DH told me how shelters only keep dogs for a short time and then it would be euthanized, and he said he'd rather just keep it ourselves than have that happen. Butttt, we knew keeping it could get us in trouble. So we went to their house with the dog in our car, and rang their bell, but nobody answered. Just as DH came back to the car, they pulled up. DH walked over to them and asked if they're looking for their dog, and the woman said, "Is he dead?" DH explained that he wasn't dead, but could easily have been killed, and told her how far he came to be at our house. He said the woman was upset, and I was slightly relieved to see that she was actually out looking for the dog. DH told her that we were about to bring the dog to a shelter, and that the next time we find him, that's what we're going to do. She, again, told him that the dog gets out from the yard and was making all these excuses. DH told her that she needs to come up with a solution to prevent that from happening and that she needs to take better care of her pet or DH will do it for her. Then the son comes out of the house and the woman tells him we have the dog. DH opened up the door to get the dog, and the kid is "Thank you, I'm so sorry, thank you." I yelled, "Don't be sorry! Don't let it happen!!! And we cut your dog's nails too, because obviously you don't take care of that yourselves!" And again he said "I'm sorry."

UGH! This was such a tough decision!!! DH kept saying that if it was our dog, he'd want people to bring it back. But it WOULDN'T be our dog, because the first time someone brought my dog home, I'd fix whatever problem was allowing him to escape!! As a PP wrote, third strike, you're out! This was their fourth, and I can guarantee, their last! Next time I will choose a different option...I gave them more than enough chances already.

Edited to add: And I WILL be calling the ASPCA to report this issue.

Message edited 10/3/2010 1:50:51 PM.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Edited because you were posting the same time I was...

I'm glad you were as bold as you were with their family, perhaps this will be the wakeup call that they need. My childhood dog was kept by a family that knew he was ours but didn't contact us and I was crushed. So when I read about the child with the dog, it saddened me.

The dog deserves better, no doubt. I honestly don't think the ASPCA will consider any of it abuse, since the requirements of a dog owner are pitifully small. Enough food so they're not too thin, cover from the elements outside, water, medical treatment. Sounds like they're at least satisfying those, so it might just be a further strike against them. If the call is being made to teach them a lesson, that's a different story, I'm just saying there may not be much the ASPCA can do.

In the meantime, I'd research JRT rescues in the area. From what I've heard, they can be overwhelming with their energy and training needs. They may be in over their heads already, but that's not the dog's fault.

Message edited 10/3/2010 2:02:41 PM.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Posted by greenfreak

Edited because you were posting the same time I was...

I'm glad you were as bold as you were with their family, perhaps this will be the wakeup call that they need. My childhood dog was kept by a family that knew he was ours but didn't contact us and I was crushed. So when I read about the child with the dog, it saddened me.

The dog deserves better, no doubt. I honestly don't think the ASPCA will consider any of it abuse, since the requirements of a dog owner are pitifully small. Enough food so they're not too thin, cover from the elements outside, water, medical treatment. Sounds like they're at least satisfying those, so it might just be a further strike against them. If the call is being made to teach them a lesson, that's a different story, I'm just saying there may not be much the ASPCA can do.

In the meantime, I'd research JRT rescues in the area. From what I've heard, they can be overwhelming with their energy and training needs. They may be in over their heads already, but that's not the dog's fault.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

My neighbors jack russell used to come here all the time. (They dont have a closed gate in their yard, there is a section that is not fenced) I always brought her back and the last time I said "arent you worried she is going to get hit by a car?" She didnt say anything. They finally closed in the whole yard after their other dog attacked mine when I was out walking.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Posted by DeniseMarie

My neighbors jack russell used to come here all the time. (They dont have a closed gate in their yard, there is a section that is not fenced) I always brought her back and the last time I said "arent you worried she is going to get hit by a car?" She didnt say anything. They finally closed in the whole yard after their other dog attacked mine when I was out walking.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I would keep him until they come looking for him. Clip the poor dogs nails and feed him and give him water. The dog shouldn't have to suffer bc the animal owner suck.

Then when they come looking for him, I'd just say... he looked like he was in need of some care... so I gave it to him.

i wouldn't just send him to a shelter... i don't trust shelters much... I'd be too scared they would put him down.

if the owners really care, they will come looking for him.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Just read your update and loved the way you handled it!!! Either report it or give it one more chance but even if you report it, don't expect much to happen. I don't care what they say they don't care too much about this dog. I like what the above poster said about a no kill shelter and tell them you want to adopt it when they don't come for him. All legal that way.

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if the dog seems neglected i would call the shelter...

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I liked the way you handled it, too!

What town do you live in? Town animal shelters will euthanize but some are more diligent than others at giving them a chance.

No kill shelters often do not take found pets. I used to volunteer at one, and I know most have that policy. They're just too small and they'd be bombarded. They will tell you to bring it to the town's shelter. No kill shelters usually send someone to the local town shelter to take the more adoptable pets. A Jack Russell would probably get picked up by a no kill unless it had major behavioral problems. Having said that, I'd be leery about leaving it at one, too. Knowing me, I'd be calling every day and would end up taking it home.

Let us know if it happens again. We can help you figure out more specifically which places you can call.

Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

I think you handled it well but if the dog escapes again, I would definitely NOT return it to the owners. This dog has gotten very lucky that he hasn't gotten hit by a car yet, who knows when his luck will run out! Clearly these people need a new fence so the dog can't keep escaping. Either that or maybe they shouldn't leave the dog out in the yard unattended.
IMO, if the dog ends up in your yard again and you don't want to keep it, contact a rescue organization for Jack Russells and see if they'll take him and re-home him. With a rescue organization, the new owners will have to go through a thorough screening process so you will at least know he's going to a good home.

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Re: If a dog wanders into your yard...

Posted by Sweetwine29

Posted by JennP

I liked the way you handled it, too!

What town do you live in? Town animal shelters will euthanize but some are more diligent than others at giving them a chance.

No kill shelters often do not take found pets. I used to volunteer at one, and I know most have that policy. They're just too small and they'd be bombarded. They will tell you to bring it to the town's shelter. No kill shelters usually send someone to the local town shelter to take the more adoptable pets. A Jack Russell would probably get picked up by a no kill unless it had major behavioral problems. Having said that, I'd be leery about leaving it at one, too. Knowing me, I'd be calling every day and would end up taking it home.

Let us know if it happens again. We can help you figure out more specifically which places you can call.

I'm in the town of Islip, and I've heard that the animal shelter gives animals 7 days to be picked up and then they get euthanized :(

I'm about 98% positive that it will be happening again, so wait for another post from me in a month or so