Every day before I took the train near my house for work, I would always spot a Labrador that looked like a stray. Small patches of fur were missing, and its ribs were practically sticking out of its body. Ever since I first saw it, I would bring it some dog food and some water. 2 days ago, I was giving it water until I heard a voice yelling at me. It was my neighbor who said to let go of her dog. She said that the dog was on a special diet because it was once overweight. I asked her what it was doing so far from her house. She said He is “A Free Roam dog” and walking him on a leash would be impossible. I understand why she may not like someone else feeding her dog, but he always looked so hungry.
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Every day before I took the train near my house for work, I would always spot a Labrador that looked like a stray. Small patches of fur were missing, and its ribs were practically sticking out of its body. Ever since I first saw it, I would bring it some dog food and some water. 2 days ago, I was giving it water until I heard a voice yelling at me. It was my neighbor who said to let go of her dog. She said that the dog was on a special diet because it was once overweight. I asked her what it was doing so far from her house. She said He is “A Free Roam dog” and walking him on a leash would be impossible. I understand why she may not like someone else feeding her dog, but he always looked so hungry.
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> Feeding the dog without the owners permission. I feel I should have let the owner handle their pet
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
he was once overweight so she starves him now? you should not be able to see an animals ribs. call animal control and be done with it
I’d call someone. First of all, it’s outside. That’s neglect. There’s no such thing as “free roam dogs.” Cats sure. But dogs? No. Everyone will assume a dog alone outside is either lost or homeless. Not feeding or watering her dog, is also neglect/abusive. That animal needs help.
INFO Did the dog have a dog tag?
You’re NTA and she has no business owning an animal.
>Small patches of fur were missing, and its ribs were practically sticking out of its body
It shows how abusively neglectful she is if the dog appeared to be a stray.
>She said He is “A Free Roam dog” and walking him on a leash would be impossible.
Royal A-H and I hope you report her to animal control or whoever is the authority where you live.
NTA. Call the ASPCA or something. That woman is starving her dog because it USED TO BE overweight and leaving it alone outside all day. That poor thing needs help!
NTA – You said yourself that you thought the dog was a stray. You were being kind. The owner may well feel it’s appropriate to allow their pet to roam but without a collar or contact details, it’s irresponsible in my opinion.
NTA, but you need to call animal control.
There are clear signs of neglect here. This woman is literally starving her pet and letting it wander around where it could get severely hurt.
NTA. If this dog is in such poor shape that you thought it was a stray, has missing fur and looks emaciated now that you know who owns the dog you also know who to report to animal control or what ever the equivalent in your area is for abusing and neglecting the dog. Take some pics of the dogs condition and file a report.
NTA.
This is ridiculous. If the dog is supposed to be on a special diet, he should NOT BE ROAMING AROUND. Neighbor is being a jerk, both to you and to the poor dog.
NTA at all, your neighbour is an irresponsible dog owner who clearly doesnt give a shit about her dog if she lets it roam around wherever it likes.
But what I will say that dogs are generally supposed to be thinner than we think, and labradors especially look weirdly skinny at a healthy weight because we are so used to seeing fat labradors. Which brings me on to me other point, which is that labradors are basically bottomless eating machines, and can do a very compelling ‘starving to death’ performance. If you saw mine anytime anyone goes into the kitchen you’d wonder how he got so fat despite apparently never being fed in his life.
I wonder how animal control would feel about a “free roam pet” that looks neglected.
NTA. Like other commenters already said, she sounds irresponsible.
You should definitely leave water out for the dog. If it’s drinking water, then it is thirsty and needs water and water won’t make it gain weight.
If it looks starving, then I would feed it. It’s not normal for labradors to be skin and bone. They like to eat. You sound sensible and I’m sure that if it looks like it is well-fed, you won’t feed it.
Like someone else said, I would check in with whatever your local animal welfare organization is. Maybe someone can check on the dog and educate the owner. “Free roaming” = stray. It’s irresponsible because the dog could be picked up by animal control or shot or hit by a car or attacked by other animals.
Given that he was not on or around her property, absolutely NTA. You should have called called animal control before now, though.
NTA but you should call animal control. Dogs are not like cats. They can’t be roaming around like that, and they’re not meant to anyway. The dog could get run over by a car or hurt by an animal. Honestly, I worry about cats facing the same fate too when they’re allowed to roam around outside.
NTA
And report her to law enforcement and animal control. She’s leaving the dog unattended and loose. It’s potentially a danger to itself and others
Only YTA if you don’t call the SPCA.
Report this , once over weight if true seems she’s leaving to fend for itself or other get involved for the animals life please