Okay, Then what would your approach be if the person in the villages said,"Mind your own business" because I have heard that many many times here. Best bet just let it go and mind ones own.

I had a situation back on Long Island, I bought the dog. She charged me $60,I was willing to go to $600 (never told her that) or he was going "on the lam". Got her to sign a bill of sale and Buster was saved.

A few years later she showed up in the news, any Long Islanders remember Sharon McDonough?

Sharon McDonough Accused of Torturing Neighbors' Pets, Burying Them in Backyard - True Crime Report - Strange But True Crime Stories from Across America.

She has since gotten out of jail and apparently has a puppy, NOBODY CARES. People I know have called the courts (she served her time and is not on probation or parole), the judge didn't make it a condition at sentencing. PETA has been contacted, I called "Rescue Ink". NOBODY CAN DO ANYTHING.

I'm still sick that I was in that house and didn't see anything, I knew something was wrong, but didn't know how wrong.

Depends on the situation. If a dog owner is causing blood to flow from the dog because of blows to the dog, then I am certainly going to try to get that person's name and golf cart make and any other identifiers and report him or her to the SPCA.

There is a dog owner at the dog park I go to that often yells at her dog and makes the pooch cringe. The dog just takes it. That's none of my business, of course, because a dog owner has a right to discipline a dog. He/she does not have the right to physically abuse the animal.

I feel very strongly that no-one has the right to abuse other vulnerable members of society. Including animals. I could never condone this behavior or "look the other way". I would try to gently engage the person in conversation and understand the behavior. If he told me to mind my own business, I wouldn't. I would never stand by and watch a child or a senior or an animal suffer abuse.

If I see a dog or a child locked in a hot car, I go in the nearest store and have the owner paged. If I can't find the owner, I call the police. They will get involved. I know a lot of people would think I'm nutty. That's OK. In my humble opinion, vulnerable members of society need our protection.

Welcome back Bare. I don't think you're nutty. I could not stand by and watch someone abuse an animal or child without doing something. There are ways to intervene without getting hurt. Sad situation and it truly makes my blood boil.

Patty you brushed up against evil. Allowing this woman to have a puppy is unbelieveable. Michael Vick wants to have a dog as well and will probably be allowed to OWN one.:sigh:

Hope St Francis of Assisi is looking after these poor dogs. Sometimes it is so hard to believe how inhumane humans are.

:pray:

:agree:

I thought it was going to be about Wildwood

Good to see your input on this Barefoot.

Emphasis on "gently" for talking to the person who is hitting the animal.

Thanks Tal, it's an issue I feel strongly about. I totally agree that the emphasis has to be on gently talking to the person. I would never be confrontational. I would start off by saying "I used to have that problem with my dog, they can be really annoying, can't they?" And then try to work the conversation around to the benefits of using positive reinforcement or distraction rather than punishment.

As a side note ... I don't have the guts to work in an Animal Shelter, I would cry myself to sleep every night. I know a lot of TOTVers work in Shelters and I really admire them.