Animal Lovers - Help Needed

[CarolSells]

Good morning, everyone! Please help me before I pull my hair out! I live on the beautiful historic side next door to a house occupied by three adults and a dog. The dog is tied up outside on the side of the house facing my direction and is tied up by a rope/leash which might be 5 ft. long. He is tied up out there all most 24/7 and barks continuously!!! If I move around in my house, the monster senses it and barks! Going out of the door is getting to be out of the question.

The people don't give a rat's behind so please don't suggest that route. Community Watch says to call animal control. Animal control doesn't actually exist in Lady Lake - you get the police dept. who have been called but haven't shown up after two calls.

I'm hoping that an animal activist type here on TOTV can direct me to some one or agency who might care that this dog is being abused and is driving me crazy!

Thanks in advance for your help!

p.s. This little dog is vicious and the owners have bragged to me that he has only bitten two people! I mention this because I have considered being his pal but he is unapproachable.

[Parker]

First off, it appears that the dog's behavior is a result of cruel owners. A little dog, tied up all the time with no freedom to be a dog, would make any dog bored and stressed enough to bark and growl. Maybe even unbalanced. I feel TERRIBLE for it, and angry at the owners.

And I feel terrible for you too. It would be awful to live next door. I so hope a knowledgeable person will read your post and know just how to handle it. Surely someone does. TOTV is a great place to start.

[CarolSells]

Thanks, Parker. Just your kind reply makes it better all ready!

[KathieI]

Thanks, Parker. Just your kind reply makes it better all ready!

Carol, how horrible for you and the dog. My heart goes out to both of you. I don't know much about the historic side, but do you have a home owners association like we do on the south side? When I had an annoyance here, I went to them, and they worked with me and the Sumter police to work out the problem and its been resolved.

I do hope that someone else on the forum can give you better information during the day, but that's the best I can do now. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[onslowe]

Carol, that stinks. Some questions/thoughts for you. And it really riles me when the structure of this 'friendliest' community plays the 'I don't do windows' game and sloughs it off to another agency.

See if there's a Lake County Animal control, not city level, county level.

You may have to get a lawyer to read covenants and restrictions.To lessen that cost it would seem really sensible for you and some of your like minded neighbors to work as one. Maybe, if your right to the enjoyment of your property is being violated, see if you can bring a suit for a money judgement. Again, you'd have to talk with an admitted attorney (I am not one.)

Who owns the property? You go to the Lake County clerk's records and make copies of the deed. That's a time saver ($$) with regard to the lawyer I would guess.

Who are these people? Are they the owners? Tenants? If tenants, maybe owner contact would help.

A situation like this happened to good friends of mine back in Long Island several years ago. They got a lawyer and went after the owner and matters were resolved happily. The tenants chose to live elsewhere.

Carol, you are not without some good arrows in your quiver. Hope my thoughts helped.

[babbs455]

LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL...approved the non thethering law..call lake co animal control...

Lake County approves dog-tethering ban
April 12, 2012|
By Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel

TAVARES — The vote went to the dogs. County commissioners this week unanimously approved an ordinance that bans dog tethering unless owners are out in the yard with their pets. It also prohibits chaining up dogs during thunderstorms and extreme temperatures.

Commissioners initially considered a complete ban on "single-point" tethering, such as tying an animal to a pole or tree, after receiving complaints dogs were being left outside for days under the sweltering sun. Animal-rights advocates argued tethering was not only inhumane but it also caused dogs to be more aggressive.

[shcisamax]

Dogs that are chained are 3 times more likely to bite not to mention it is cruel. There is probably truth to the owner's bragging that the dog has bitten twice before.
There are several communities in FL that have anti chaining laws and they are in densely populated areas (like TV) mainly in southern FL. Unfortunately those laws aren't here but should be. While it isn't a short term fix, you might go to your state rep and ask that a bill be written. There should be little resistance.

[shcisamax]

.....

[babbs455]

The historical side is in Lake county..it should apply to this dog

[shcisamax]

PERFECTO! Good job Babbs445. Just the way I like to start my day. Problem poof!

[gomoho]

PERFECTO! Good job Babbs445. Just the way I like to start my day. Problem poof!

Assuming Carole can get someone willing to enforce this law. Seems like police are turning a deaf ear.

[babbs455]

me too and as an animal lover if people can't give the love and affection to their the 4 leggers need..then they should not have animals...I would contact the licking co animal control and tell them what has transpired and find out if this anti tethering law applies...that the police are not enforcing the no tether law and the dog is a nuisance..or rather the owner is...lol

[CathyandJohn]

I did not think people were allowed to tether dogs in The Villages. I would call the neighborhood association and ask them. It is cruel and they either need to get the dog a new home or take it inside.

[shcisamax]

Assuming Carole can get someone willing to enforce this law. Seems like police are turning a deaf ear.

They just need to be reminded there IS a law and that it needs to be enforced.

[Bonnevie]

what about the Humane Society of Lake County
this is from their website:

Our Humane Society operates a no-kill shelter, and we are the only animal welfare agency in Lake County that investigates cruelty, abandoned and/or abused animals.

call them and report the dog is tied out all that time...that is cruelty. Some counties have even passed laws prohibiting dogs being tied out.

[CarolSells]

Thanks so much to every kind person who responded to my post.

Lake County - must have been Animal Control because the person drove a dog catcher's truck - just showed up and issued some type of paperwork (citation, summons ?) to the occupants, dog is now inside and will, hopefully, remain there!

Thanks again, peeps!

[onslowe]

Great news - for you and that poor animal. Nice quick work by the Lake County Animal Control.

[gpirate]

Good morning, everyone! Please help me before I pull my hair out! I live on the beautiful historic side next door to a house occupied by three adults and a dog. The dog is tied up outside on the side of the house facing my direction and is tied up by a rope/leash which might be 5 ft. long. He is tied up out there all most 24/7 and barks continuously!!! If I move around in my house, the monster senses it and barks! Going out of the door is getting to be out of the question.

The people don't give a rat's behind so please don't suggest that route. Community Watch says to call animal control. Animal control doesn't actually exist in Lady Lake - you get the police dept. who have been called but haven't shown up after two calls.

I'm hoping that an animal activist type here on TOTV can direct me to some one or agency who might care that this dog is being abused and is driving me crazy!

Thanks in advance for your help!

p.s. This little dog is vicious and the owners have bragged to me that he has only bitten two people! I mention this because I have considered being his pal but he is unapproachable.

Here is the starting point for reporting mistreatment of animals in your area.

Humane Society of Lake County - Report Animal Abuse (http://www.humanelake.com/report_animal_abuse)

[Dani Forbes]

A friend of mine had this problem, and lo and behold, the gate was left open and somehow the dog ran away .....

[Barefoot]

what about the Humane Society of Lake County
this is from their website: Our Humane Society operates a no-kill shelter, and we are the only animal welfare agency in Lake County that investigates cruelty, abandoned and/or abused animals.

call them and report the dog is tied out all that time...that is cruelty. Some counties have even passed laws prohibiting dogs being tied out.

I feel sorry for the poor dog with idiot owners. I'm glad for Carol's sake that the dog has been taken inside. Let's hope the owners continue to show respect for their neighbors.

[CFrance]

A friend of mine had this problem, and lo and behold, the gate was left open and somehow the dog ran away .....

That's a bad scenario for the dog, when it's doing nothing wrong. Maybe someone should leave the back door to the house open and hope the owners run away.

I like the way this worked out--a win-win for both Carol and the dog.

[babbs455]

so glad you were able to get this rectified...especially since it is sooooooooo cold out...now hopefully you won't have to deal with ****ed off neighbors treating all the neighbors like crap in retaliation...

[Parker]

Thanks so much to every kind person who responded to my post.

Lake County - must have been Animal Control because the person drove a dog catcher's truck - just showed up and issued some type of paperwork (citation, summons ?) to the occupants, dog is now inside and will, hopefully, remain there!

Thanks again, peeps!


I have to wonder if Lake County Animal Control was responding to this thread. TOTV is an attention getter, so...? Carol, either way, YOU DONE GOOD!

[CarolSells]

Update. Brutus. (name changed to protect the innocent), came out into the front yard yesterday with two of the people who live in his house. They were only out for about 10 minutes but Brutus got to run around and jump. He looked over at me and I could have sworn he was smiling!

[kittygilchrist]

LOL, great work, Carol. and to babbs, Barbara. wonderful story. happy ending!
lucky puppy. totv rules!

[babbs455]

I can see him smiling from here too!!! :) he's happy to be in where it is warm with no restraints!

[CFrance]

Does anyone know if there is an ordinance against tethering in Sumter County? Our dog Crosby likes to lounge around in the driveway (on a line) and watch the world go by. One bark and we bring him in. In fact, when he wants to come in, he comes to the front door and barks once. (He's not a barker at all.)

There's no water around us, so I'm not worried about alligators, and we've only seen one small snake in two years. However, if there's an ordinance, perhaps we would have to rethink this.

Carol, you have made Brutus one happy dog!

[gomoho]

Crosby is lounging and just happens to have a rope attached to him. That is far different then tying an animal to a pole and leaving him all the time. Let him enjoy his driveway life - don't think it will be a problem.

[Barefoot]

Crosby is lounging and just happens to have a rope attached to him. That is far different then tying an animal to a pole and leaving him all the time. Let him enjoy his driveway life - don't think it will be a problem.

Crosby is a very well-behaved Golden with good manners. I doubt anyone would object to him lying in the driveway and enjoying the sunshine. He doesn't hurl himself down the driveway when people walk by. Gomoho made a good point when she said he is lounging rather than being tethered. And when he is done, he politely asks to come in. I bet your neighbors love Crosby.

[Golfingnut]

31132

If you can't give your pets a wonderful life, please find them a home and owner that can. Our little guy has been a source of joy for 17 years and 10 months. We hope for many more years. As long as he wags his tail, we know he still wants to be here.

[CFrance]

Crosby is a very well-behaved Golden with good manners. I doubt anyone would object to him lying in the driveway and enjoying the sunshine. He doesn't hurl himself down the driveway when people walk by. Gomoho made a good point when she said he is lounging rather than being tethered. And when he is done, he politely asks to come in. I bet your neighbors love Crosby.

31132

If you can't give your pets a wonderful life, please find them a home and owner that can. Our little guy has been a source of joy for 17 years and 10 months. We hope for many more years. As long as he wags his tail, we know he still wants to be here.

Thanks gomoho and Bare, we will continue on.

And Golfingnut, here's to much more time with your adorable pooch. Thanks for the pictures.

[Barefoot]

31132

If you can't give your pets a wonderful life, please find them a home and owner that can. Our little guy has been a source of joy for 17 years and 10 months. We hope for many more years. As long as he wags his tail, we know he still wants to be here.

Well said Golfingnut. Dogs are such a wonderful source of joy and unconditional love. Your little guy is lucky to have found such a loving papa.