neighbors new dog, what would you do?

What exactly would you report to animal control? That they're not giving the dog as much love as you would? Are there laws being broken, or just your heart?

A lot of people get pets without realizing, or being able to live up to, the responsibility. Sure she deserves better. Why not try quiet conversation before confrontation?

If you step back and look at it from an objective and reasonable person's point of view and you still think it is cruel, then I would call animal control and let them determine either way...

else

I would not do anything.

I HATE WHEN PEOPLE CHAIN UP A DOG AS IF IT HAS NO FEELINGS, HAS NO COMFORT NEEDS, HAS NO NEED FOR ATTENTION. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT REPRODUCE!

I'm sorry, I have no constructive advice to offer you. Except maybe you could do what you can do offer attention to the dog. I know, it's heartbreaking. Maybe find a way to tell your neighbor - by talking about your dogs - how much dogs thrive on attention and how bitter the dog can become when they are not given attention.

We had a guy on our street who called animal control ALL THE TIME for barking dogs in our neighborhood.  I would say if it's early AM (say, before 7 or) and after 9 or 10 pm you have a reason to call- and also if it is excessive barking. It at least gets them their  and they might be able to see if there are more serious problems.

Also, I had a neighbor (in an apt) that was home more than I was.  We crated our dog during the day then and apparently, she whined and cried all day. Neighbor wrote me a note explaining what was going on and how it disrupted her day (very nicely, I might add) and we were able to talk about it and work out a solution. Just another option.

Good luck.

I had a similar situation with a neighbor who kept his dog chained to his BBQ grill in the summertime.  The neighbor was a lowlife.  If only I had known what would happen...Anyway, the days passed while I debated whether to call someone about it and then the worst happened.  It was about 100 degrees out and the dog died right there.  My wife watched in anger (our newborn son in her arms or else she probably would have ran out there screaming at him) as he wrapped the dog up in a blue plastic tarp and put it in the trunk of his car.  I felt terrible.  We called the police and explained the whole thing to the officers who came to our house.  They said there was really nothing they could have done, before or after the death.  They said our best bet would have been to call Animal Abuse/Control, but they could only have done something if they had come by when the dog was chained outside and if it was extremely hot and it had no water.

I suggest you call.  Even if nothing gets accomplished, you've done what you could which is more than I did.  I wish I could go back and make that call.  However, please make sure that your identity will be protected.  Tell them you may be concerned about retribution and they should keep it secret.  Document who you spoke to and when in case anything happens down the road.

Seems like we've all been in a similar situation...me included.  Unfortunatley I was on a small overseas military base and there is NO WAY who called would have been kept a secret. 

Still, I'm with Hangloose and everyone else who said to call animal  control.  They are not there just to pick up strays.  For all I know, what you described could be considered animal cruelty - I mean I think it is, but legally.   Even if it isn't, maybe your neighbors will take it as a sign.

There are few things that make me more angry than someone mistreating an animal, and that is exactly what you are describing here.

I will admit that in the past I have taken some pretty drastic measures to put an end to just the kind of situation you describe (a story for another day)

 I most certainly would call animal control AND the ASPCA AND I would confront the people myself. No dog deserves to be chained up outside all night. If the dog is barking and keeping you up or otherwise disturbing you the neighbors are likely in violation of your local noise ordinances (check your local government website and you may actually find the ordinances there)

I believe that we are to be judged by how we treat those less powerful than ourselves and that includes animals. So for me personally, burying my head in the sand and moving away from the problem is not an option.

Since they're taking in the poor girl at night now, I'd doubt they're breaking laws (though a quick peek through the laws might be worth it). This situation totally sucks and breaks my heart as well, but unfortunately one can't write a law that says "If you get a dog, you must love it." I would take comfort in that the dog will probably get neurotic from lack of affection and develop some weird behaviour that your neighbors can't tolerate. She'll end up at the Humane Society and has a decent chance of being adopted by a decent human being. My black lab, Barry, had been and out of the pound a lot in his life. He can be a little crazy sometimes, but now he's got a family that adores him and will take meticulous care of him for the rest of his days.

Other than that, if you're really concerned, call a bunch of rescues with national networks. There's kind of an underground railroad for neglected/abused dogs associated with some legitimate rescues. The poor girl just might 'disappear' someday.... http://www.slate.com/id/2113564/ Of course, I'd assume they only do this with relatively extreme cases so that the possible benefits outweigh the risks.

Yep. A lot of dogs can survive and even be comfortable outside in a range of temps. That's not the point. This isn't about survival. Why the f would someone get a dog just so it'll sit out in the yard and do nothing?

Dogs are PACK ANIMALS and if you deny them the opportunity to be part of a pack (ie, your family) they are more uncomfortable, neurotic and neglected than if they were merely cold, or hungry. Honestly, I worry more about 'are my dogs feeling loved and part of my pack?' than 'are my dogs 100% comfortable in every way at every moment?' (not that I don't try to make them comfortable). I certainly know what's more important to them.

If one wants a dog solely for protection. I can tell you for sure that an alarm system is ultimately cheaper and much less of a pain in the ass.  If you don't primarily want a dog so that you can love it and have it be part of a pack, you are doing the dog a great injustice and setting yourself up for a BAD dog ownership experience