this is why people need to keep thier dogs on leash/in house/in fence

(I posted this in my live journal the other day and since I'm to lazy to retype it you get a copied version)

I had just got home from going to apply for a job at the local humane society. I walked in the door of my apt and I heard what sounded like a dog whining.
I listened more closely and realized it was outside my window. I looked out the window and I was shocked to see a large yellow lab in the water trying to pull itself up onto the ice.

We have a channel behind our apartment that flows from Lake Winnebago to a pond at the nature reserve next to us.

Anyway.. I start yelling for Randy to wake up and come outside. I open the bedroom door and he was already up and was looking out the other window.
I run outside while he puts some pants on.

I get to the water and try calling the dog to see if it can get any closer to land. I jump over a little water/ice to get on the railroad track bridge so I can get on the other side of the water to get closer to the dog. Randy finally comes out and we start calling the dog. I start to go on the ice and just crush it since it's not very thick. So, I'm in the water/ice and I get close to the dog and as I get up next to it the dog freaks out and pushes through the ice and gets to the land on the opposite side. I jump out of the water and try to grab the dog but he takes off.

I ran after it but it just kept running away.

I tried for over an hour to get a hold of the dog but I finally lost him between houses up the block I guess.

I've seen this dog running around on the tracks before but I've also heard people walking at the same time so I assumed they were just walking him off leash.

As I was running around looking for him I passed by an older guy and asked him if he saw him. He said he had not but he's seen the dog several other times and thinks it belongs to someone a couple streets away.

When I finally gave up looking for the dog I came home and called the police to let them know there was a loose dog that had fallen in the icy water.
I hope they either find the dog or can figure out who owns it so that the owners realize their dog almost died earlier. I doubt they care.. this dog being loose seems to be a very common thing.


I never heard anything back from the police
I just hope the dog made it back home safe.. I keep looking for it around my apt but haven't seen anything.

Poor thing. Good for you, for trying to help him.

If that's not enough incentive for people to confine their dogs appropriately, I've got dozens of pictures of horribly graphic hit-by-car cases (and one hit-by-train). When I'm taking a case history, I always ask how the dog got out, and 9 times out of 10, they say "Oh, we live in the country and don't need a fence".

Also, spaying and neutering is so important. I'd estimate (and I want to actually run the numbers one day) that at least 85% of the hit-by-car and dogfight cases we see at the ER are intact animals. In fact, we jokingly refer to testicles as "car magnets".

It is so shameful that "owners" allow their animals to roam free; then the second something bad happens to their "beloved pet", the world is over. Kudos to you for trying to help the poor dog; just the fact alone though, that he ran away from you scared like that, seems to make me think he is either gone feral or the pet of a very nasty person. :(

I couldn't agree more about spaying and neutering.

It was sad to see how many people had their dogs just chained to a poll or dog house while I was running around looking for the other dog.

It's winter and I live in Wisconsin.. I couldn't imagine having to live out in the cold.

I don't understand why people get dogs or any animal for that matter if they just toss them in the backyard and leave them there.

Poor thing, Kudos to you!!!

Idea.... Have you thought about placing some food in an area that you've seen him regularly? Or would it be consumed by other critters??? Just thought that maybe if you get on a "first name basis" with the fella then you might be able to get him to a shelter or foster home or something??? :confuzd:

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

he is either gone feral or the pet of a very nasty person. :(

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As soon as he ran from me I imagined him being an abused dog. :(

I usually am the person that can get unfriendly animals to come by me when they won't most others.

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

(I posted this in my live journal the other day and since I'm to lazy to retype it you get a copied version)

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I think you hit the nail on the head! Lazy people cause alot of greif for the animals!!

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Poor thing, Kudos to you!!!

Idea.... Have you thought about placing some food in an area that you've seen him regularly? Or would it be consumed by other critters??? Just thought that maybe if you get on a "first name basis" with the fella then you might be able to get him to a shelter or foster home or something??? :confuzd:

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Since I live right next to the nature reserve there are tons of other animals around my apartment. On a daily basis I see muskrats, rabbits, ect. I don't think food would last long.

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Originally Posted by JASBALLS

I think you hit the nail on the head! Lazy people cause alot of greif for the animals!!

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I am far from lazy when it comes to my zoo of animals though.

I do want to say that a lot of dogs are shy of people they don't know, and especially in a stressful situation like falling into icy water.
Kudos to you for going the extra mile trying ot find him, and double kudos for calling the police afterwards as well! I hope too that he found his way home and is fine if scared wet and nervous.
Wolfy

I'd jump in for any animal

people on the other hand... :P

Wow. I'm impressed. :yes:

I get so frustrated with dog owners. I walk my son to school, and have picked up this one dog on three separate occassions. I now have their phone number in my cell, because the last time he didn't have his collar on. :rolleyes: The son leaves the gate open and out goes this old boy on his romp. Just two week ago, we had a lab get into the school. It had no collar, and I did manage to wrangle it a bit (as it was scaring kids jumping up on them). Unfortunately I wasn't able to hold onto him without a collar, and he started running in the street. I wanted so badly to grab him, but I couldn't leave my kids. With so many cars, I didn't dare risk my kids trying to come after me. I just stared in horror and prayed that my kids wouldn't have to watch this dog get hit right in front of them. I hope he made it home okay. :sigh2:

wow.. and the parents don't have the common sense to keep the dog inside when the kid is leaving?

Nope... :no: Although I haven't picked him up in the last month. I always wonder if he's passed away or gotten hit. He's such a sweet boy too.

I wish there was a test people had to take before being able to own any animals

we don't let people drive without taking a test why should just anyone be able to care for (or lack there of) a living thing

There are just some things that are out of our control. I really dislike the idea of having people tell me what I can or can not do. I don't think a test will help solve the problem, as too many idiot drivers have licenses. (but I understand the sentiment) My wish is for people to recognize their limits and live up to their responsibilties.

very true

Great job on helping out the dog, I have problems with the neighbors cats prowling my yard. I dream of cat leash laws, something to keep the darn things in their owners houses or at least in their own yards. Nothing I hate more than the sweet smell of cat urine under my deck or a decapitated cotton tail bunnies body in the back yard.

Funny reading this today as I'm sitting here at 7:30 a.m. with a pup that badly needs to get out for her early morning walk (on lead of course) and pee but I can't take her out due to two roaming neighbourhood dogs. I heard the owners out calling them but of course they gave up quickly and likely went back to bed. Two seconds later their two big and not so friendly dogs were in my front yard and out on the street so Gunnar has to cross her legs for now (or I'll clean up the puddle). No way am I taking her outside to be jumped on by those two dogs, she wouldn't stand a chance.

that's horrible

there really isn't much else that drives me crazy more then stupid pet owners

not only do they effect their own animals but those of others as well

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Just two week ago, we had a lab get into the school. It had no collar, and I did manage to wrangle it a bit (as it was scaring kids jumping up on them). Unfortunately I wasn't able to hold onto him without a collar, and he started running in the street. I wanted so badly to grab him, but I couldn't leave my kids. With so many cars, I didn't dare risk my kids trying to come after me. I just stared in horror and prayed that my kids wouldn't have to watch this dog get hit right in front of them. I hope he made it home okay. :sigh2:

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Wow, I remember that happening when I was in high school; it was crazy.
Shame on people who can't keep their animals contained, safe, and trained. I know that accidenta happen, but the same person, latting the same thing happen over and over, is no accident.