Signs to Watch for When You Suspect Neglect or Abuse of Dogs

Dogs can be loyal and loving members of a family and home, but they can also be the victims of abuse and neglect. Dogs may not be able to speak and tell you what is wrong with them, but they can give you many clues just by observing and interacting with them and with the people whose care they are in. The following signs and symptoms are things to be alert for if you suspect a dog you know or see is being abused or neglected.

The most obvious signs of physical abuse would be broken bones, burns, cuts and lacerations or odd markings like bruises anywhere on their body.

The owner or caregiver is unusually harsh or aggressive towards the dog.

The collars may be kept abnormally tight or the dog is kept in remote parts of the yard or home with very little social interaction.

They may have a history of injuries, or repeatedly get injuries of a particular kind.

The injuries may be poorly attended to or not attended to at all.

The owner or keeper denies the injuries, doesn't seem to be able to explain the injuries or downplays the seriousness of the obvious signs.

Dogs that are abused may show behavior changes such as signs of being afraid around the owner or any person or they may be unusually subdued and submissive, cowering, head down, tail between the legs or hiding when the person comes into view. They may whimper or cry in fear when they are near the abuser.

They may overreact to the presence of a particular object like a leash or a stick.

The dog may show signs of malnutrition looking underweight, or acting desperate for any crumb of food. They may look weak and lack energy. They may bark obsessively in hunger.

They may show signs of chained aggression as if they had been teased or mistreated or they may nip or bite in fear .

They may growl for unknown reasons or in the presence of their owner or other people involved in the abuse.

The owner may repeatedly have dogs that seem to die at a young age.

Keep in mind some of these things may not mean abuse at all but if you suspect it, keep an eye on the dog and the owners . Dogs are living , loving creatures and are entitled to be treated with the same care and concern any other member of a family or home is.

Dogs can be loyal and loving members of a family and home, but they can also be the victims of abuse and neglect. Dogs may not be able to speak and tell you what is wrong with them, but they can give you many clues just by observing and interacting with them and with the people whose care they are in. The following signs and symptoms are things to be alert for if you suspect a dog you know or see is being abused or neglected.

The most obvious signs of physical abuse would be broken bones, burns, cuts and lacerations or odd markings like bruises anywhere on their body.

The owner or caregiver is unusually harsh or aggressive towards the dog.

The collars may be kept abnormally tight or the dog is kept in remote parts of the yard or home with very little social interaction.

They may have a history of injuries, or repeatedly get injuries of a particular kind.

The injuries may be poorly attended to or not attended to at all.

The owner or keeper denies the injuries, doesn't seem to be able to explain the injuries or downplays the seriousness of the obvious signs.

Dogs that are abused may show behavior changes such as signs of being afraid around the owner or any person or they may be unusually subdued and submissive, cowering, head down, tail between the legs or hiding when the person comes into view. They may whimper or cry in fear when they are near the abuser.

They may overreact to the presence of a particular object like a leash or a stick.

The dog may show signs of malnutrition looking underweight, or desperate for any crumb of food. They may look weak and lack energy. They may bark obsessively in hunger.

They may show signs of chained aggression or they may nip or bite in fear .

They may growl for unknown reasons or in the presence of their owner or other people involved in the abuse.

The owner may repeatedly have dogs that seem to die at a young age.

Keep in mind some of these things may not mean abuse at all but if you suspect it, keep an eye on the dog and the owners . Dogs are living , loving creatures and are entitled to be treated with the same care and concern any other member of a family or home is.