Does anyone know how long i have to wait?

Question

last week on 8/21 i found a dog in my backyard, SEVERELY emaciated. i thought she was dead the way she was laying there. but she got up when i approached. i put her in a kennel with food and water, and got a phone number off her collar. the man who answered told me he gave the dog away a month ago and gave me a contact number. i left 2 messages with his mother and got another message number. i've called 2 or 3 times a day and left messages, but haven't received a call back. i'm praying this poor thing has been lost and not mistreated, but she's terrified. i took her to the vet and got her treated for worms plus a flea/tick dip (parasites were falling off her they were so thick). but the vet is reluctant to do more due to the possible legal ramifications. one of the assistants wants her, but i want to make sure she's UTD and spayed first.

i sent an e mail to the TN Animal Rescue for some info, but haven't heard back yet.

what bothers me most, if she's pregnant, she'll never survive the pregnancy.

she weighed 35.2 lbs at the vets, and (according to the vet) she should weigh more like 50 lbs.

Answer 1

ussualy it takes around  63 days to have babys

Answer 2

This dog found YOU because YOU give a d**n about her.  If you can't keep her (which is okay because you have done your part to SAVE her LIFE), let the assistant have her so more medical attention can be given.  Your instincts know what she has been through (as much as you don't want to think about it) and the fact that she's still alive indicates that she's got the spirit of a fighter.  Let others help you care for her, even if that means letting her go.  You have done the RIGHT THING.  

Answer 3

In all likely hood you'll never hear from the supposed owner.  They will either be concerned with being charged with animal cruelty or some other offense they have committed against this poor girl.

I would not hold my breath waiting for the owner to step up!

Can you call your local town hall to see what their rules are??  Or are you bound by state laws concerning this?

I would think she would be considered a stray.

ADD:  Oh Dear Lord Isis!  

This is a Red Coon hound is it not?  This poor girl is in horrible shape! :(  she is skin & bones and her ears are tattered!

Thi spoor girl has been on her own for quite some time or her "owners" didn't feed her at all.  

I'd wait the minimal amout of time and then let the Vet Tech have her.  

Anyone who would do this to a dog doesn't deserve a second chance!

Answer 4

If she was that emaciated, nature took care of the litter.  The poor thing has been abandoned, she needs a forever home that has love and responsibility.

Make one more phone call to the rotten humans that allowed her to get into this lousy condition.  Let them know that you are turning the animal over to authorities as an abandoned animal unless you hear from them within 24 hours.  Then you can legally turn the poor dear over to the vet for proper care and to be re-homed.

Answer 5

I think I'd take these pictures and the girl's collar/tags to animal control and have the owner arrested. It's his word that he gave her away. There is nothing to prove that he's telling the truth.

Seeing pictures like that really makes me angry. Not at you but at whomever let this poor girl get in this shape! They should be starved for a week.

I wouldn't think that there is a time limit if the contact person says he isn't his dog. IF he did give the dog away to someone else, there is nothing other than his word to prove this or disprove it, right? Don't they say possession is 9/10 of the law? I don't know how legal that is, but, there is nothing to legally prove ownership other than her tag and he says she isn't his. That makes her yours. If the vet assistant wants her, let her take her and give her a good home. She looks like she could desperately use one!  

Answer 6

Hey Isis, you've done your part and these people clearly don't give a rat's behind for this dog.  Call her one of your rescues and give her to the assistant.  You've done more than enough.  

That poor girl brings me to tears every time I look at her.  Bless her heart.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...you are an ANGEL.

Answer 7

Isis-you have definitely earned your wings...I would let the vet assistant have her...You wouldn't want her going back to them anyway. If I had lost one of my dogs- I would have been waiting for any kind of call concerning their whereabouts. You're a dear.

Answer 8

Ahhh I was thinking about that poor girl yesterday!  WHY am I NOT surprised that you still have her... stooooopid dog owners!!!

Just as everyone else has said, let the Tech have her.  She will spay her and take over all costs incurred for her and for the future... this will relieve you of any monetary issues you should have right now.  

You're right, her chances of surviving a pregnancy is low.  Again, the Tech would choose to have her spayed - again, taking that cost away from you.

But, I do feel that these pictures should be sent to your local AC along with the number(s) you were given.  Let them deal with the legal aspects of this... as much as I'd love to head over there with a baseball bat myself!!!!  Just let them deal with what they will, and you do what you can from your side.  The faster you let the Tech take over and spay her, the better it will be for her.  And of course, you!

If you feel that the tech could provide for her as you would, let her go Isis... it's ok.   She needs a home where she has some one-on-one, this does NOT mean that you could not provide for her, but your hands are full, and she needs someone like you with a few less needy souls :)

Answer 9

What state do you live in? My family loves Redbone Coonhounds.... Also, what is her tempermant like? Is she good with kids?

Answer 10

Stop bothering to call.  I'd let the vet assistant take the dog.  Also, I'm sure as a vet assistant she'll be responsible enough to get the dog spayed and UTD on shots when she is healthy enough.  Plus, she may be allowed to take the dog to work with her and can keep an eye on it while it continues the road to recovery.

It's been a week, and you've tried very hard to find the owner, in case the dog escaped and someone was desperately looking for her.  That just doesn't seem to be the case since they won't get back to you.  At that point, I'd try to do what is best for the animal and let someone willing to love and care for it have him.