Investigating Animal Cruelty 69 shelter or a dog house and follow these guidelines: − Make sure that the structure: º Accommodates the dog’s size. It should be large enough to allow the dog(s) to enter and move around. However, it should not be too large—in cold weather it must permit the dog’s body heat to accumulate to provide warmth. Consider the dog’s breed, physical condition and age when determining whether a dog house meets its needs. º Has a floor that’s raised at least two inches off the ground to prevent it from sitting in pooled water. º Is shaded during hotter weather and has a flap of weatherproof material to cover the doorway during colder weather. º Contains sufficient bedding, such as straw or wood shavings, that are changed often enough to remain dry and clean. − Use non-spill or fixed containers to ensure that a dog’s water is not accidentally overturned. − Give the dog additional food during colder weather to provide the extra calories necessary for warmth. Frequently offer water to counteract freezing. Like people, dogs are social animals. But more than 200,000 dogs live empty lives chained or tethered outdoors. Tied up outside, dogs become lonely, bored and anxious, and they can develop aggressive behaviors. Bring a dog inside (or help a chained dog in your neighborhood), and you’ll keep everyone safer. Some people believe that dogs should live outside to protect a home or property. Others put dogs outside because they display behaviors that challenge their families. In practice, chaining threatens the dog’s health and wellbeing and the safety of other animals and humans. As communities learn about the negative impact of chaining or tethering dogs, many have passed laws against long-term chaining. Learn how to educate and mobilize your neighbors, free a chained dog and prevent more dogs from suffering a sad, solitary life on a chain. For more information, visit humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/. Additional recommendations • Dogs should have yearly veterinary exams to ensure proper health and to provide preventative shots and medications (such as rabies shots, heartworm blood tests, medication, etc.). • Dogs should be spayed or neutered to prevent the birth of additional litters and to improve their health and behavior. Signs of neglect or cruelty Appearance: thin body (ribs showing, sunken in flanks); dull hair coat or hair loss; diarrhea; chronic cough; heavy flea infesta- tion with hair loss and scabs; bare ear tips and other body areas, indicating sarcoptic mange; too-tight collar; overgrown or ingrown nails, including dewclaws (i.e. the ”thumb nails” on the first digit, which tend to overgrow because they don’t touch the ground) Housing conditions: overturned water bowl (water should be in a spill-proof container); no evidence that dog has been fed; no shelter from elements; ground covered with fecal matter Behavior: listlessness; depression (the animal does not respond to attention); excessive fearfulness; aggression; shyness; constant scratching or biting at body, indicating a heavy flea infestation or sarcoptic mange If any of these elements is present, call a veterinarian to examine the animal(s). Animal care standards for some common animals
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