09-09-2012, 02:33 PM
Gutenberg wrote:
The problem with calling the cops or animal control is that the dog ends up dead. Have you tried talking to the owner or leaving a note on his door? You could write an anonymous letter and have the postal service deliver it. Just say "please take your dog inside. What you are doing with that dog is cruel and illegal."
The police going and knocking on the door will not result in a dead dog. Warnings would be given and tickets would be issued. In a worst case scenario where multiple chances were given over a long period of time, including multiple warnings and multiple or unpaid tickets, the dog could be removed by animal control. It would not then be euthanized immediately unless it was deemed vicious or if animal control was severely underfunded or overcrowded.
The system really does try to work in favor of the property owner, trying to preserve their rights as such, for as long as possible.
That said, a neighborly visit would probably be the best first step, as long as one felt comfortable doing so. However, barring that, I would contact the police and skip the anonymous note. It will likely be taken as passive-aggressive, and the neighbor with the dog will be able to narrow down fairly accurately, within a couple houses, who sent it. The same could happen with a police complaint, but then it includes other possibilities such as a passing officer heard the dog personally, or maybe a service worker or letter carrier made the complaint. Plus, if neighborly relations then break down, you've got an official paper trail of how things got started.
Unless you know the neighbor well, use the police. That's what they're there for. It's possible the first call only results in a drive-by, but the bulk of police work is done by paperwork, documentation, and accurate record keeping. Get it in the system.