Hundreds of users of Facebook have banded together in an attempt to get Guilford County Animal Services, the Greensboro Police Department, mental health officials or others to help with a situation of a dog owner whose dog is emaciated – but not because of a lack of available food.
Instead, allegedly, the owner just refuses to feed the dog more than a minimal amount, just enough to keep the animal alive.
Many shoppers who frequent Friendly Center during the day – especially the areas near the Whole Foods store and around the McDonald’s on Green Valley Road – have seen the man walking with the withered animal and tried to help.
A woman who posted about the situation on Facebook this week – and who has since limited that post to a Friend’s Only status to preserve some anonymity – got a lot of feedback when she posted about the situation.
She wrote of the owner, “He has a dog that is EXTREMELY emaciated (like head sinking in). He will not allow anyone to help him with food for the dog. He even taunts the dog. I saw him teasing him with a sauce packet. I have called animal control and police non-emergency attempting to get the dog some help. If anyone wants to see the dog so you’re not taking my word for it, he’s usually at McDonalds at 11:00 AM.”
She asked for suggestions from any fellow animal lovers regarding potential solutions.
One responder even suggested that Adult Protective Services be notified because “Open animal abuse and cruelty is often associated with ongoing mental health disorders.”
The responder added, “APS might take custody and then transfer the dog to a shelter if the gentleman is not able to help the dog or himself.”
The woman who originally posted the story said she was sympathetic to the fact that the dog owner might be facing mental challenges. However, she added, that shouldn’t allow an owner to treat a dog cruelly and essentially starve it.
Several Facebook posters stated that they had offered the owner help providing food for the dog.
One person told the Rhino Times on Tuesday, May 9 that “The dog is so skin and bones that his head is caving in.”
The public concern did get the attention of Animal Control.
Several Facebook posters stated on the night of May 9 that Animal Control had found and located the dog and cited the owner for animal cruelty.
Still, many area dog lovers aren’t pleased that the dog was left in possession of the owner. Some of those concerned are pleading for the dog to be taken from the man, given the past mistreatment of the animal.
So they’re just going to let him kill the dog because he has mental issues. This dog needs help and it should be taken away based on the cruelty they have witnessed.
This really pisses me off. If the man was sane enough to start feeding the dog you just can’t let a dog eat a lot of food that’s been starved. This has to be a slow procedure or it will kill the dog. I cannot believe this dog was still left in this man’s custody this is ridiculous. This dog needs medical attention and for this to be ignored is cruel.
Just call animal control, if they will answer the phone.
The more I know people, the more I like dogs.
After a really crappy day, who is there at the door there is dog who is so happy to see you that the dog will pee all over you?
Dogs are great! It doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone all day, or if I just stepped out into the garage for a few minutes, my dog acts the exact same way, jumping up and down, tail wagging, making silly noises, etc. He knows just how to make me smile!
Yep.
Dogs are much nicer people than people.
Hopefully it doesn’t come to a vigilante squad rescuing the dog through force.
Go back and get the dog! Good lord!
This is a hideous state of affairs! Since when is cruelty to animals ok? Where is the ASPCA? Fine to support human rights. It is NOT the right of a human being to abuse, torture and kill a helpless animal. What about animal rights advocacy? I’m at a loss for a solution if Guilford County Animal
Control or Guilford County Police Department are this inadequate to investigate, protect, & provide a solution.
This person may have a case worker that can assist in get them both help. But, this dog needs attention, especially now it’s getting warm out, dehydration and starvation.
Where is PETA, the Human Society?
North Carolina has laws for neglect on animals. Surely our police department will enforce this? It’s illegal in North Carolina to mistreat, neglect, or abandon animals. The state also allows civil lawsuits to take abused pets away from their owners or caretakers. Cruelty to animals is a crime in North Carolina, as it is across the country. Neglect, or a failure to provide basic needs for an animal, makes up the vast majority of cruelty cases that animal control officers respond to. Neglect often includes hoarding, lack of shelter or veterinary care, tethering and abandonment, as well as other forms of abuse.
https://www.humanesociety.org
I worked as an Animal Control Officer for 18 years. Not locally. My training took place in Texas with the bulk of my career was there. Moved to NC and landed a job as an Animal Control Officer for several years. Now, not even once did we ever just cite an owner in a situation like that. Everytime we had a report of an animal in this situation, we checked it out. And if the animal was in this condition, we would go to a judge get a warrant, serve the man, take the dog and the owner went to jail.
A court date would be set, and I NEVER lost a case. The owners had to pay hefty fine and was not allowed to own any animal for several years.
What’s wrong with these Officers?? I just don’t understand. Hopefully someone, somehow this precious dog gets the help it needs. I certainly will be praying for it.
Thanks for the post
The police force is also emaciated. They don’t have enough officers to do this, or even cite school zone speeding drivers.
This low life oxygen thief doesn’t deserve the privilege of owning a fur baby. I’m 63 years old and this story brought me to tears. You never abuse children the elderly or animals.
This is very sad indeed. I have seen this owner at Harris Teeter friendly and tried to offer food assistance. We have also seen him walking his dog at the Bog Garden area. The owner needs help and his dog needs to be rescued.
That dog should taken away from the owner. What they waiting for. Animal control should be ashamed of themselves.
Exactly. This dog needs to be taken away from him NOW!!!! I can’t believe the audacity of the SO CALLED animal control officers .. this is complete bull!!!!! If he’s in that bad of mental shape then he definitely doesn’t need to own ANY ANIMAL… I bet he doesn’t skip any damn meals and starve his self.. he better hope I don’t come across him and the dog because I will be tempted to take him away from that god awful nightmare. I have a friend who is friends with a lady in animal rescue and would be glad to take him in. We have sent her a message on what needs to be done and are waiting for her response….
Yet no one offers to help the man cope with his mental health…it seems the county just opened a facility that may help. How do we as people sympathize more with the dog in this situation? It seems many may need mental health assistance.
Because the dog doesn’t have a voice to speak for it’s self an escape the situation on it’s own . THATS WHY. not only that everyone has OFFERED HIM Help and he REFUSED IT!!!!!!!! so if he doesn’t except the help then that’s on him … But the dog needs help ,and if it could speak for it’s self I’m sure it would be begging someone to rescue it from that nightmare….
Rhino needs to follow up on this story and let us all know what has happened. IF the owner is cited for ANYTHING, then his name and address and photo can be published. Frankly, I don’t care about this dirt bag and his (perhaps) mental illness. I care about the dog.
I thought of that and it might have to happen since animal control does not do their job..
The dog has been taken away from this person and is safe and sheltered
Jen, how do you know this dog has been taken away? Are you sure? Can you provide some info and let us concerned readers know please. We would appreciate it I hope you are right. I don’t know why but I have not been able to get this animal off my mind. I guess because I am an animal lover..
Update please.