In your opinion, what constitutes neglect?

[Germanshepherdlova]

I am asking this question to get different prospectives and make sure that I am not jumping to any conclusions. Here are a couple things to consider-how much time is a dog left alone (how many hours at a time) and how many days in a row would constitute neglect in your opinion? Is not exercising a dog considered neglect? Is not socializing a dog neglect? Not taking a dog outside to relieve his or herself would be neglectful after how many hours? And the final question-what would you do about it if someone you knew was treating their dog (the one in question is a puppy) in a manner that you consider neglectful?

[Dainerra]

well, legally, neglect is pretty cut and dried. must have some sort of shelter, must have food available and must have a water source.

Personally, I think that day after day of a dog not getting human contact is neglectful. Dogs need mental stimulation as well as their physical needs being met.

How much? Well, I guess that depends on the breed as well as the individual dog. I know people who own LGD breeds (livestock guardians) and those dogs don't give a flying fig about human contact. They have been bred and selected for generations to work and figure things out on their own. So, leaving one of them in the fields for weeks on end with no human contact? I wouldn't consider that neglect. Now, if they were chained or kenneled, then it would be. They live with their flock/herd and get all their needs met with the other animals.

A GSD or a dobe or other people oriented breed? Then daily extensive contact is necessary. I mean, these are dogs bred to work closely with humans and depriving them of that contact is cruel.

Of course, those are just my opinions and, legally, there is nothing that you can do about it. You can offer advice, especially if your friend is having behavior problems. "Maybe some more exercise" "Bring him inside" gentle nudges of "here is how I handle that" Extend an invite to go walking with you and your dog. Come over for a play date. Practice some obedience together.
But, in the end, there is really nothing you can do as long as the legal basics are met. If you push too hard, you risk alienating the friend and that won't help the dog either.

[Liesje]

Neglect is denying food, water, and appropriate shelter. If I felt someone was neglecting their animal, I'd call the animal control. I don't really butt in as far as how I personally feel about crating, kenneling, how many potty breaks, how much exercise, etc. It's a free country, people can make their own decisions about how to raise their animals. Neglect is neglect and I report it.

[x0emiroxy0x]

you didnt mention this on your list...but i think the worst thing a "loving" pet owner can do is make their dog obese. notice i didnt say let their dog get obese. the human is 100% responsible for the fat dog...not "its huge appetite" a fat dog is the worst abuse to me because the animal doesnt understand that 50 yummy treats a day means that it cant run for 15 seconds straight or cant stand up without aid. fat dogs are not happy. anyone who says that is in denial. most of the time, fat dog = fat owner with fat kids and fat spouse. very very sad.

[x0emiroxy0x]

the dog is better off living outside and running around playing then living inside on a couch because it cant even roll itself to stand up. just my opinion

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by Dainerra

I know people who own LGD breeds (livestock guardians) and those dogs don't give a flying fig about human contact. They have been bred and selected for generations to work and figure things out on their own. So, leaving one of them in the fields for weeks on end with no human contact? I wouldn't consider that neglect. Now, if they were chained or kenneled, then it would be. They live with their flock/herd and get all their needs met with the other animals.

A GSD or a dobe or other people oriented breed? Then daily extensive contact is necessary. I mean, these are dogs bred to work closely with humans and depriving them of that contact is cruel.

Bingo!

I have both LGD and GSD. Their needs and what they want out of life are totally different. The LGD gets daily attention, but does not require constant attention. The GSDs do.

My ex-inlaws used to have two labs that they kept in a yard. They had a barn and access to water, and of course were fed daily. But beyond that, they had little human attention. Legally, that's not neglect, but I found it neglectful--especially since they had three other dogs that lived in the house and were spoiled rotten. What did those two labs do to deserve being shut off from the family? They were the "kid's" dogs. One belonged to my ex-husband and one belonged to his sister. When they grew up, they pretty much abandoned their dogs and left their parents to take care of them. I did not even know this until after I married the guy.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by x0emiroxy0x

the dog is better off living outside and running around playing then living inside on a couch because it cant even roll itself to stand up. just my opinion

That's a good point. My ex-inlaws three housedogs were so obese they could barely walk, while the two labs they kept outside were overweight, but not obese, and could still run and play. Maybe I was getting mad at them all backwards.

[Dainerra]

Originally Posted by x0emiroxy0x

the dog is better off living outside and running around playing then living inside on a couch because it cant even roll itself to stand up. just my opinion

a good point. But, I consider exercise to be a daily physical requirement as well To a certain extent, dogs left outside will get more exercise on their own, especially if there is more than 1. But a dog left alone and over-fed is going to get obese.

I think that dogs that are "outside" dogs are less likely to be over-fed because they aren't there begging for treats or "looking sad" or any of the other reasons people often over-indulge their pets.

[Germanshepherdlova]

well this dog isn't outside it is locked in the basement and its chance of becoming obese is slim to none because he is not being fed on a regular basis and is very thin.

[arycrest]

Originally Posted by Liesje

Neglect is denying food, water, and appropriate shelter. If I felt someone was neglecting their animal, I'd call the animal control. I don't really butt in as far as how I personally feel about crating, kenneling, how many potty breaks, how much exercise, etc. It's a free country, people can make their own decisions about how to raise their animals. Neglect is neglect and I report it.

This post pretty much states my opinion.