She Never Goes Very Far - a Stupid Dog Owner Story - What to Do Next Time?

[Snowshoe]

While Sis was walking her dog a yellow lab appeared. Sis waited, no owner showed up. The dog was friendly, walked along with her. Sis heard people talking in one of the backyards bordering the park, caught their attention, the wife was called out, said it looked like Enzo who lived next door to them, Sis should just put him back in that yard. Sis did but noticed the fence was so low a lab could easily get out and the gate was old and rickety and not secure.

Yep, sure enough, before Sis and her own dog get out of the park, there's the yellow lab again, all happy, happy to see them. No collar, but she put her own dog's leash on it, walked around to the front of the house, rang the bell, heard lots of barking inside but no one answered so she took the yellow lab home with her where he acted like he belonged in her backyard with her dog.

Later Sis and her daughter walked to Day Care to pick up the Grandson, took both dogs with them and they met a woman who just stopped and stared at them but didn't say anything. Sis asked, "Is this your dog?" Yeah, the woman "thinks" so. Sis explained how she found him, that she had put him back but the fence and gate were not secure, that he'd been with her for several hours. The woman replied, "But she's old and she never goes far."

Sigh. The dog was male. It didn't act or move all that old. Sis said it didn't seem nearly as happy to see the woman as it did when it met Sis the second time. Poor dog. Sis and I discussed what to do if there's a next time. I said my own plan for a similar situation near me is take the dog to the close pound, which is also a rescue and let the owners pay to get their dog back and hope that smartens them up. I'd phone them first of course, but if there was no answer.... Sis is afraid they might not go get this yellow lab back and then what would happen to it? I guess the scenario above is bound to repeat itself. Sis goes to this park nearly daily and now the yellow lab knows her voice and scent and that Sis and her dog are fun and I bet it'll be out meeting them even more.

What would you do? We feel, sad as it is, the dog is probably better off with a nitwit owner than in a rescue. And no, Sis cannot keep it.

[labsnewfy]

I feel bad for the dog especially since the lady didn't realize him thinking he was her older female. Maybe your sister could see if the pup could come over for play dates, keeping him tired might keep him at home instead of wondering the streets. I would be so afraid he would get hit by a car or someone unsavory would take him.

[Sue]

Why oh why am I getting the feeling there is something wrong with this? Like in, that wasn't the other lady's dog.

First clue:
Sis asked, "Is this your dog?" Yeah, the woman "thinks" so.
Doesn't know if it's your own dog? Maybe a resemblance, hence the "stare."

Second (and third) clue:
The woman replied, "But she's old and she never goes far."
Hmm. Gender misidentification? Age misidentification? Your sister noted the dog didn't seem to be that old.

Fourth clue:
Sis said it didn't seem nearly as happy to see the woman as it did when it met Sis the second time.
Perhaps because he had no recognition of the woman at all? If it's a Lab, they're happy to see you no matter what.

Maybe the woman is a hoarder, has so many dogs she doesn't know who is who. But I seriously have to wonder if your sister didn't get taken. If she sees this dog again, I wouldn't return it. At least not without proof of ownership. Like the dog's name, knowing approximate age and most importantly, its gender. Even if it involves calling the ACO (assuming the dog would go to a no kill shelter) to take the dog to safety.

[Bamps]

But is the poor thing safe? When it wanders are there any hazards? Around here a loose dog stray doesn't last long before it gets taken down by coyotes or bobcat or someone shooting it.

[POPTOP]

Poor dog, pays the price for an uncaring owner.

I think I would take the dog to the AC and keep tabs on the situation. If the owner did not bother to pick her up, I'd definitely get her and start networking for a new home. This dog deserves better.

[Labradorks]

I agree with Sue. Seems fishy. Or maybe the woman is incapacitated as in she has dementia or similar? Perhaps a call to social services is in order?

[Snowshoe]

I wondered if it really was the woman's dog too. I'll have to ask Sis if she's seen it again and if she sees it in the backyard she put it in. The area is pretty safe. The park is a nice woodlot area in a subdivison of low speed traffic and a school abutting so police presence monitors speed. But yeah, your questions are ours too.