Neighbor kid really really rough with his dog

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure what to do. We have new neighbors (of a few months) and we’ve all noticed their 6-year-old is really really really rough with their medium sized dog. He is often outside alone with the dog and he will attempt to get on it to “ride” and the dog is visibly stressed and not large enough to support his weight. He will throw toys at the dog and yell at the dog if the dog does not do what he wants. He will shoot the dog with a water gun, and will aim for the dogs bottom and finds it hilarious. The dog looks distressed and will try to hide. The boy also seems to be trying to train him, but obviously at 6 it’s not going well. My kids (9 & 11) have said they’ve seen him hit the dog with his hands and even a stick although I have not seen this. They’re very upset about it and pretty much refuse to go outside if he is outside with the dog.

I try to mind my own business but I’m thinking about bringing it up to the parents. We don’t know them well and I don’t want to start a conflict already but I also don’t want to turn a blind eye to potential animal abuse.

[Anonymous]

Can u try and get a video or two?
I would totally try and talk to the parents if you think they would be receptive. If that doesn’t work you could talk to animal control and show them the videos.
Thanks for caring OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can u try and get a video or two?
I would totally try and talk to the parents if you think they would be receptive. If that doesn’t work you could talk to animal control and show them the videos.
Thanks for caring OP

I’m not sure if it would worse for me to approach them without proof “hey, we’ve seen your kid do this, this and this” or if we came to them with videos.

I would be freaked out if someone filmed my kids in the backyard so probably won’t do that unless the situation is elevated.

[Anonymous]

Don’t worry OP, eventually that dog will disfigure that kid’s face and then the horrified parents will kill the dog, putting it out of its misery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry OP, eventually that dog will disfigure that kid’s face and then the horrified parents will kill the dog, putting it out of its misery.

PS: six year olds and dogs should NEVER be playing together unsupervised by adult humans. Sadly this happens ALL THE TIME which is why so many kids get disfigured by dogs who then get euthanized by the negligent parents/guardians who made it happen.

[Anonymous]

You should defiantly speak with his parents before that dog decides its had enough.

[Anonymous]

I had a neighbor whose child abused a dog similarly, and the parent didn't care. A call to the ASPCA took care of it and the dog was removed.

[Anonymous]

Teach your kids to say "Hey! Stop hitting your dog! Would you want someone bigger to hit you?"

And you can tell the kid to stop riding it, hitting it, throwing things at it, etc. You can also ring the bell and tell whoever answers "I happened to see your son throwing things repeatedly at your dog, and I'm worried the dog will eventually bite him. Your son has such a sweet face, I'd hate for it to become disfigured."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry OP, eventually that dog will disfigure that kid’s face and then the horrified parents will kill the dog, putting it out of its misery.

This is exactly the ending I’d like to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Do you think that the neighbor has never seen their 6 year old interact with the dog?

[Anonymous]

That's abusive, even if the person doing it is only 6. Talk to the parents. It probably won't do any good, because I can't imagine it is news to them, but I would do it anyway. That poor dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think that the neighbor has never seen their 6 year old interact with the dog?

Possibly he’s rougher with the dog when he’s outside with it unsupervised? If Mom or Dad are outside too he’s noticeably more gentle.

But he’s mostly outside alone. Dad works long hours, Mom has a newborn.

It’s absolutely possible they know and don’t care I guess.

[Anonymous]

If it was me, I would make an anonymous call to both child protective service and animal control. Both the dog and the child are being abused/neglected in this situation, and the potential for serious bodily harm is high. The potential for death for the dog is very high. Dogs always pay the ultimate price when in most cases they are simply trying to defend themselves with the only tool they have - their bite.

[Anonymous]

And you should definitely take a video. If it was a parent in the backyard abusing the kid, would you hesitate to take a video as evidence to show CPS and cops? No. Take a video of the dangerous situation happening with this young child and dog - CPS and cops will know exactly why you did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it was me, I would make an anonymous call to both child protective service and animal control. Both the dog and the child are being abused/neglected in this situation, and the potential for serious bodily harm is high. The potential for death for the dog is very high. Dogs always pay the ultimate price when in most cases they are simply trying to defend themselves with the only tool they have - their bite.

Mind your business Karen