cocker spaniel

[SquirrellyMom]

I know this is not squirrel related but where I work a student brought in a cocker spaniel who looked to be neglected. It has a rabies tag on and we got the information on the owner through that but the owners number has changed. I have offered to take it in until we can find the owner or someone who will care for it permanently. If anyone wants her let me know. :poke :poke She appears to be young but is crate trained. We think she was neglected as she is horribly matted, dirty, and I believe she has an ear infection. She is so terribly matted that we are actually not sure if it is male or female because we can't see its "parts". I am not sure if we should even give the dog back to the people or call animal services so they can look at the dog and decide. The only problem is animal services is so over crowded this dog has a strong chance of being put down... Any ideas or suggestions!! HELP!!!

[LiLTreeRat]

Poor Thing! If he/ she is so matted that you can't tell if it's a him/ her....the owners don't deserve him/ her!!!! Shave the little cocker down, clean it's infected ears out and keep him/ her! :D
:jump

That's my suggestion! :thumbsup

No, seriously, that's aweful. I wish I did have a suggestion. Legally, depending on where you live, I think you have to call animal services initially. Hopefully they can let you "safehouse" the dog until an owner or adopter can be found.....if your able to do so, that is.

Seeing neglected animals is one of my biggest heartaches, and unfortunately its a daily heartache....I hope all turns out well for him...or her. :)

[Tickle's Mom]

I wouldn't call the owners except to tell them off. :poke I'd shave the poor thing down and call Cocker Spaniel Rescue or some other humane organization. In the meantime, love the snot out of that one who so deserves to be loved.:Love_Icon

[UDoWhat]

I wouldn't call the owners except to tell them off. :poke I'd shave the poor thing down and call Cocker Spaniel Rescue or some other humane organization. In the meantime, love the snot out of that one who so deserves to be loved.:Love_Icon
What she said and a little more. I wouldn't call stupid idiot owners. Legally they should be the one's called and fined or jailed. I know,... maybe the dog got loose and they are looking for her... but what are the chances? Shave her, treat her wounds/ illness fleas and ticks, make her comfortable for the first time in her life (maybe), and let her sleep in your bed. She deserves it. :Love_Icon

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[SquirrellyMom]

The vet kids here had groomed her when I went to check on her during my lunch. She was not the color I thought she was when they shaved her she turned out to be apricot not cream. I took her home and she has been staying with me but the owners have come looking for her and want to claim her. Alot of our students live in the area that she was found and some of them told them who has her as I had no intention after cleaning her up and getting started with her treatments for fleas and a MASSIVE ear infection to give her back. I called animal services but they said it was not neglect since cocker spaniels get chronic ear infections and that in order for anything to be done they would have to take her and kennel her there and that she had a good chance of being put down as she not a puppy and a high maintenance breed. My problem now though is that the owners are threatening me over the dog they didn't even care enough about to bathe or clean out its ears..... Since here pets are considered more so property if they have her papers and proof of cost to get her they can get me with felony theft or at the least theft for not returning her. I took pictures when she first was found but to a person who didn't see her in real life she just looks like a dirty shaggy dog. They don't show the infection and 3 ticks and fleas. After we shaved her she was skinny but not emaciated. Also she has anemia from the fleas according to the vet here.

[Tickle's Mom]

Oh how sad! IF you must give her back, at least now they are on YOUR radar - that's a difficult call to make. How sad for the poor dog. :grouphug

[UDoWhat]

Until and unless they can prove rightful ownership I would not return the dog. Picture proof and ask for thier Vets office number and speak to him/her. I know this is terrlble and you don't want to be in trouble, but I would drag my feet as loooooooong as I could. I'm sorry you are going through this. Also if they won't give you their# and address, get their license # . That is a good start. :thankyou for trying and caring.:Love_Icon

Marty