Neighbor neglects small young dog.

Question

A neighbor keeps its small dog tied or chained to a fence in their back yard during inclement weather (rain, storms, lightning, and horrific winds with threats of tornadoes. As I speak the little dog has been tied up for 13 hours. The little dog has no shelter, and it is raining and cold. I called animal control they came; I saw them in the back yard talking with a woman and asked for a report back but have not heard from the officer yet. Tomorrow I will file a formal complaint with the Sheriff's Office of Montgomery County in Tennessee as well as contact the Humane Society and file a complaint with them. At times the little dog is chained or tied up overnight. Any suggestion on how to move forward will be appreciated.

Tennessee, USA

Answer

I hope the entities that you contact take necessary action to help this dog. Try contacting local rescue groups too. They sometimes are more proactive.

Tennessee’s cruelty to animals law states, in part, that it is unlawful to fail unreasonably “to provide necessary food, water, or care for an animal in the person’s custody.” For dogs, the Tennessee law further states:

A person commits an offense who intentionally or knowingly:

…fails unreasonably to provide access to shelter in a structure that meets the following requirements for a dog in the person's custody that resides primarily outdoors:
(1) The structure is constructed of sound and substantial material, is sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather, and is of a size appropriate to allow the dog to maintain normal body temperature;
(2) The structure must have a roof and be enclosed on all sides with an entrance of adequate size for the dog to enter, and have dimensions that allow the dog, while in the shelter, to stand erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal position;
(3) The structure provides a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floormat, or similar device that is large enough for the dog to lie on in a normal manner and that can be maintained in a sanitary manner;
(4) From March through October, the structure is properly shaded, and from November through February, when necessary to protect the dog from cold and promote the retention of body heat, the shelter is fitted with a sufficient quantity of bedding material; and
(5) The structure or structures must be of a sufficient size or number to provide shelter to each dog present at the same time…

Tennessee’s cruelty to animals law also states: “A person commits an offense who knowingly ties, tethers, or restrains a dog in a manner that result in the dog suffering body injury…” Various localities have enacted laws that address tethering as well.

Some people offer to adopt or purchase an animal who is being mistreated, particularly when law enforcement officers do not take necessary action (as unfair as it is to pay a person who is mistreating an animal). Providing information to an animal’s neglectful “parent” about appropriate shelter and care for their animal sometimes helps too.