Moral dilema

[Lethbridge U]

Okay, so I have this problem and I wanted to see what others had to say about it. Keep in mind that this is completely off topic, but bare with me. So my girlfriend lives down the street from me in this house with other university students, one of which is the owner of the house. The owner has a dog (Rotwieler) that he got in the summer time. So the dog is quite young, only a few months old, and is prone to doing young dog things, like chew on shoes or whatever. Anyway, the owner has taken to beating the dog on a regular basis, and I mean beating! Today, my girlfriend said that he spent some time having at with a stick. Everybody else in the house is afraid to say anything (including my girlfriend) But there is one fellow that told him the beatings were a bit excessive, so he now drags the dog into the bedroom for the beatings.
Now I have to say, I own a dog myself, and love them dearly. I know from personal experience that this chewing thing is usually a short trend if the dog's guardian trains them right. With that being said, I am furious about what my girlfriend tells me! I want to go over there and take a stick to his face, but of course I won't. I am, however, considering calling the cops on this guy. The problem is my girlfriend has to live there, and my decision has some consequences that may affect her (she would be kicked out). She doesn't know that I am this serious about, and I'm not sure what to do.
I could use some advice here, how would you approach this?

 

[nismo0]

Dude, its one thing to hit ur dog so it wont do it again, when it pees u smack it, and he/she knows that what he/she did was a bad thing. But to BEAT a dog, holllly shit, I would beat this guy. I can't stand it when ppl abuse their animals, especaillllllly a dog.!!! :rage: :rage: :rage: :rage:

Either threaten to beat him, or call the cops. I would do both, but you can just to the latter.

 

[jswift872]

beat him...end of story..
thanks

 

[Pieman]

Lethbridge U,

You should report the actions of this guy to the SPCA. If the beatings are bad enough they are animal abuse plain an simple. Animals are protected from abuse, and it is a criminal act.

I take it by your handle you are in Lethbridge, contact the Alberta SPCA here:
http://www.albertaspca.org/reportcruelty.htm

The way I see it, your gf can find another, beter place to rent if it comes to it.  She should probably should get away from this person anyway. Talk to her about it, you both can save a dog from having a horrible life.

 

[JBP]

It's always the first reaction to want to kick his pathetic ass. But you should stick to the legal way and call the cops and/or humane society. Try and see if your woman can get any physical evidence like pictures of the dog (bruises, cuts etc) anything like that first, then spring the trap.

Seriously do something about it though, honestly. Assholes like that who raise animals (especially larger breed dogs) end up having them attack people and giving that breed a bad name for no reason. He's a shithead. I ratted out a guy at work once who kept his dog in his car for 8hrs a day... IN THE SUMMER.

It gets anywhere from 80-110 F where I live in the summer and the humidity just makes it that much worse, he got fired and fined...

Joe
Save the dog!

PS> About your woman being kicked out, now would be a good time maybe for you two to move in? Or, simply tell her your going to do something about it, you can't stand by knowing that's happening. If she seriously has a problem with it like that I'd think maybe she's the wrong chick! (Eg> Too selfish!). If she won't even stand up for a poor defensless dog imagine how she'd support you in the future....

 

[mdh]

There is no excuse, none whatsoever, under any circumstances, to beat a dog. It's nothing less than primitive sadism. Personally I agree with Mr. Swift - but the right thing to do is call the SPCA and get your girl friend out.

 

[Canadian.Trucker]

Agreed.  SPCA or the police is the way to go.  Not always, but people the abuse animals may move on to beating something they deem more "worthy" such as their spouse or significant other.  The dog may not be scarred from the abuse yet, but that may change soon.  Get the dog out, and get your girlfriend out.  This doesn't sound like a healthy environment for either of them.

 

[Burrows]

Burn him to a crisp and spread his ashes to the four corners of the earth....yeah...wait... Calling the SPCA probably has less repercussions... People that beat dogs should be beaten...as much as they beat their dogs.... 2x   Give em hell buddy.

 

[Franko]

SPCA and they will take it from there.

Tell your girlfriend to get ready to move as well....the landlord seems like the type who would kick her out and the others as well just for reporting him.

It's not too late for this dog....he can still be brought up right before too much damage is done.

Regards

 

[Hottie_Cowgirl_]

You really need to get the SPCA involved.  I work with the Calgary Humane Society and if you're having troubles getting in touch with someone at the Alberta SPCA please PM me and I'll put you in touch with someone ASAP.

If you're not going to do this for the dog then do it for the humans that this a** has in his life including your girlfriend.  Nine times out of ten people who beat their animals only start there.  The next move for him is to start abusing people in his family and people he lives with...that's your girlfriend!!  This is not a good situation for anyone involved and someone has to have the guts to 'break the chain'.  You sound like a pretty level headed person who cares so please do something.

Ok, that was my rational side...the rest of me says you should beat the crap out of him!!!

 

[Long in the tooth]

Be aware that abusing animals is huge indicator of someone's future abuse of people and children.  Any abusor needs help, and has to get it before they go on to the next step - like having kids.  As Keeanu Reeves said, although you need a licence for a pet, any a**h*le can have kids.

To get results you don't have judge the guy; just do something.  Better than this abused animal grows big and kills a kid.

 

[Lethbridge U]

Thanks people for the input into my problem. Last night one of the fellows in the house sat the guy down and talked to him about raising a dog, and how beating him does not necessarily make him more obedient. So hopefully this guy got the message and won't do it again, but if it persists any longer, especially after the discussion, I'm going to take legal action on this guy.
I should, however, give some more context to the story. The dog owner is a young man from China who has come to study computer science in Canada. From the beginning I was astounded that he did not know how to raise this young dog at all; I mean he did everything wrong. This ranged from feeding the dog from the table, excessive play fighting, locking him up in the laundry room for many hours, and NEVER-EVER taking him for a walk. It's as though this fellow had no idea what to do with this dog. I think that some people get dogs just to play with, but when it comes to raising them they haven't the first clue about what to do. I have to wonder about how dogs are treated in other nations besides Canada, perhaps this young mans behaviour is quite normal and exceptable in China. I'm not really sure, but in any case I'm not going to put up with it. This is unacceptable, period!

 

[Pieman]

It's as though this fellow had no idea what to do with this dog. I think that some people get dogs just to play with, but when it comes to raising them they haven't the first clue about what to do. I have to wonder about how dogs are treated in other nations besides Canada

Sounds pretty bad. Sit the guy down and try to teach him everything you can...get the dummy a book on dogs or something.

I hope your freinds little talk with him will set things right.

I am aware they do eat dogs in China, and dogs are generally seen in a different light than we see them.   So I assume it is quite possible this guy never has been around a dog as a pet before. Apparently dogs are very tasty...never got to try it myself though.

 

[Hottie_Cowgirl_]

You are right to assume that the treatment of dogs is very different in China.  (Let's not forget you can go to some small-town markets in China and purchase a dog in a small cage to take home for your evening meal.) However, that does not mean it is acceptable here or that you should let it slide.  Maybe some one should suggest to him that he take a puppy training course with his new dog and he can learn more about raising it there too.

 

[Pieman]

I wasn't suggesting to let it slide. Just that it was reasonable to assume he really did not know what he was doing, and was not being malicious towards the dog. He could be shown the proper way to treat a dog.

I suspect he would be aware that putting a few dogs on the BBQ does not really mean to put a actual dog on the BBQ  .....I hope anyway.

A puppy training course is a great idea.

 

[1feral1]

One thing for sure, either way, this will effect your GF living there, so this is what I would do:

1.  Hunt a new place for the GF immediatly (in the interim maybe she can stay with you   ), and then;
2. Notify the RSPCA and the Police, with as many statements as possible to back this up from witnesses.

These statements must clearly state FACTS, full on accounts witnessed by other residents.   No third party stuff, but actual beatings witnessed first hand. The more statements, a better investigation, as its not just coming from one person that way.

EXAMPLE "I Bloggins on 13 Dec 04 at about 2015 hrs did observe Mr Smith strike the dog in the head with an open fist repeatedly until it yelped in pain". He again repeated this act on the following occasions...etc, etc.

Hopefully then the animal will be confiscated, and then taken to the shelter and be adopted, this time by someone who cares, and have asecond chance at a good health life.

It sickens me so much to hear of cruelity like this, and there is NO excuse for it whatsover. Aside from doing the right thing, if you wanna give our 'animal lover' a going over, thats fine too, but at the end of the day, get your GF out of there, and make a formal complaint. If nothing happens, at least there is a paper trail generated.

Ongoing beatings will emotionally destroy the dog, and at worst he may injure or kill it in the process.

Please let us know the outcome of this.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[mrosseker]

I must say that I admire your professionalism in all of this, I cant say I could be so rational.

There are very few acts in this world that I hate more than the abuse of animals. ESPECIALLY DOGS. I see dogs as the most loyal companions one could ever ask for, and to bring intentional harm to them is literally the most infuriating thing I have ever seen.

Once again, I admire your level headedness, and hope that all works out well. 

 

[MissMolsonIndy]

I recommend that you sit down with the guy, explain to him that this is a serious problem, and then explicitly communicate to him that you won't hesitate to take further action. In the event that the beatings continue, report him to the SPCA and the municipal police, and request that your girlfriend make alternative plans. Make arrangements for her to stay with you or another friend until she can settle into a new residence...

Goodluck, I hope that everything goes alright.

Best wishes,

Lindsay

 

[1746EME_girl]

I hope the talk that your freind gave the guy worked, if not get your gf and the dog out of that house. Animals, no matter what kind, don't deserve to be treated like crap.

 

[Buzz]

I agree, that a dog doesn't deserve to be treated the way it sounded. On a broader picture, though,  the dog could retaliate when it gets a bit bigger and older and would have to eventually be put down because of what could possibly happen.(rip someones face apart or bite someones hand off)  Especially anyone that is in the house or any childrens that it feels like playing with at the time.  All because of the guys incompetance of how to raise a dog, and would be charged.  Stupidity at it's finest.  Dig a hole, it's only going to go deeper.

A freind of mine had a Pitbull and they are known to be aggressive dogs.  I believe that it's all in the upbringing.  He treated this dog like gold and it shows.  It wasn't aggressive at all....Infact sometimes the dog would run and ride if it didn't know someone.  Excellent tempered dog once she did get to know someone and acted typically as, "man's best friend".

Cheers!!
-Buzz