Not animal-cruelty, but would you consider this "animal mistreatment"?
Dogs are well-fed, well-groomed, healthy and receive all needed veterinary care.
Dogs are:
-Usually outside for less than 10 minutes per day -When outside, they are trapped in a tiny run w/no shade -Rarely walked -Very rarely played with outside (and I doubt inside, either) -NOT ALLOWED TO BARK AT ALL. Shock collars were used to train them to not bark. They are yelled at, if they dare bark now.
I feel so sorry for these dogs.
2012-06-09T17:42:44Z
Dogs belong to next-door neighbors. Impossible not to see/know how they are treated.
They are large dogs, in a small run. :-(
Every once in a blue moon, they are outside longer, in run w/no shade.
Yes, it could be worse. Like I said, it's not abuse, just...not right.
2012-06-09T17:52:28Z
AGAIN: Next-door/ I can see/ Conversations with neighbors. Simple.
No complaints made about dogs/normal barking before shock collars.
Anonymous2012-06-09T22:18:03Z
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Some people are very sensitive about barking. My aunt has a problem neighbor, the guy has called the humane society on her and her partner once or twice because their terrier-schnauzer and lab-german are major barkers (yep just for them barking). This is the same neighbor they had to call the humane society because his pit bulls have gotten onto the roof of his house when he wasn't home (on their own and yes there is a story there) and walks his dogs off leash despite city ordinances.
To most pet owners barking is an understandable nuisance and their worst fears are more along the lines of bothering a sleeping family member or neighbor. With pet owners that are sensitive to barking, l guess you could label them misguided in their pet peeves more than anything. Owners that are sensitive to barking tend to sway more to the ideals that a pet should conform to a master-servant relationship that is closer to the old fashion belief that kids are seen and not heard. Dogs should be quiet, well trained, conform to human schedules/whims, and basically be present in the household. This type of dog ownership is not cruelty; howbeit it can seem more like a dog is being treated like a bird in a cage.
If the dogs are well feed and well groomed, I wouldn't be too concerned about them. The collar makes me cringe a bit because it is negative enforcement and the easy but harsher way to train against barking, but it's not cruelty. The outside thing has to do with conforming to the human schedule thing. However there is also the fact that some dogs do prefer staying in doors. In their case they may be conditioned rather than naturally inclined to in doors. My parents have a dog that does her business outside and then says let me in now. Playing indoors I'm not too concerned either, my parents have another dog that we've tried everything even cat toys. Not playing/running around can be bad for joint health and weight management particularly in active breeds, but it's not something to be sad about either. Dogs can interact with their humans in other ways and can have other hobbies.
If you talk to the neighbors with the dogs when the dogs are with them ask them some fun questions like what are the dogs favorite treats, where is their favorite spot to be rubbed, or even ask about the dogs' quirks. If they care about their dogs they should know answers to questions like that. Remember that "being cooped up" isn't the same as being neglected. Unless they don't know the answers to basic questions about the dogs' personalities I don't think it is necessary to worry about them.
No problem that there is no shade in their run since they aren't out long. Sadly, lots of people don't walk their dogs and yell at them when they bark. If the people feed, groom and take care of their medical needs, the dogs aren't unhealthy or mistreated. The dogs might be bored, but being boring people isn't illegal or immoral.
I'd have to call it pretty close to abuse. Using shock collars are mean and it hurts. Dogs need exercise and play. Perhaps they are treated better inside, but i wouldn't count on it.