I can't believe anyone is giving OP a hard time for this. They probably saved the life of this person's puppy, at considerable trouble to themselves. They took so many different actions to try to help out the puppy owner, and finally wound up at the shelter option. If I were the puppy's owner, I would be extremely, extremely grateful to OP, especially if I heard and understood all the different things she did to rescue this dog (return the dog one time and then it just jumped over the fence again; rescued the dog again, this time having to chase it in their car; talked to the neighbor to see if they could keep the dog or had a phone number; took the dog to the shelter and discussed with the shelter different options for what to do).

SO SO SO much work and trouble to save this dog's life. Thank you, OP, for doing all of this for a total stranger's dog. You rock!

I don’t think you did anything wrong. If it were me I’d have figured out a better temporary solution like borrowing a leash/lead or simply waiting around a bit. But, it is always easier in hind sight. If it’s really bothering you, drop the neighbor a note and some cookies saying even though you were trying to keep the dog safe, you’re sorry you gave them a scare and to enjoy some cookies for their troubles.

But to be 100 clear the dog is their responsibility and it was not properly secured, and that’s on them.

You don't have your neighbor's cell phone number? Jeeze...

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather pay a fine than bury my dog.

You did the right thing, OP. Kept that pup safe!

+1000
If this was my beloved dog, you'd be a hero in my book. I would not have wanted him to stay in a yard he kept escaping.

Anonymous wrote:I’d probably have called the police first, they have a program where they retain the animal while contacting owner. I might have brought it to my house and kept it in garage and yard for a week. Poor dog. Some people should not have pets.

+1 Most of the people who own dogs these days really shouldn't. Lack of expertise, wackadoodle mentality about how to discipline (i.e. they don't because it's not "gentle"), completely nonsensical ideas about permissive training, dogs left unattended, retractable leashes, "impromptu off-leash dog parks" in public spaces, and then some nonsense sauce on top about how it's all fine as long as you don't own a pit bull...

Completely crazymaking.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you would win any prizes for problem-solving. You could have knocked on the door of other neighbors to see if they had the owner's phone number or if they could hold the dog.

Or, you know, the dog's owners could've crated and controlled their dog. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imo the neighbor was negligent to leave a puppy (sounds like it’s an older pup) alone with no collar in the backyard. They should have crate trained it.

They are lucky you went above and beyond to keep their dog safe given your circumstances.

SERIOUSLY. Who does this?!

You are all so judgmental. For all we know they were in the yard with the puppy. It jumped the fence and ran off. They could not catch it so hopped in the car. Then the puppy returned. OP said they were not at home because they were looking for the dog. Lots of dogs are really fast. Once they are out, it takes seconds for them to be out of sight.

Sweetie, having better judgment doesn't make us "judgmental". Per the OP, the dog was behind the fence as OP walked by, and in the street as OP walked back, and OP was able to catch it. Quit creating a narrative where the owners aren't responsible just so you feel better about how irresponsible you also are.

If you have a new puppy, it should be dragging its leash in the yard until its recall is established correctly, and you should never leave it unattended. Yes, lots of dogs are really fast, and their humans need to properly account for this. That's not "judgmental" it's simply responsible.

Darlin',
Just so you know, dragging a leash is a terrible idea and a strangulation hazard, especially for a fence jumper/climber. They can also cross the fence in both directions.

Babygirl, dragging a leash is so you can stop the dog you're actively observing from making a run for the fence in the first place. The whole "they'll jump back in" theory is wild, and no dog is going to strangle themselves from dragging a leash while being actively monitored.

Of course, you'd see it as a hazard because you don't actively monitor or even properly train your dogs now, do you.

I think it's an okay solution.

Even if they have to pay a fine, the dog was safe and the fine goes to support a needed service.

It's kind of like a traffic ticket. It's meant to be a wakeup call.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you use a leash and collar and put the back in the yard.

Is this poster suggesting that you should have driven to a pet store-- what you would have done with the dog in the meantime is unclear, like much else-- and purchased (at your own expense-- probably around $40) a collar and leash with which to return a proven escape artist to an unsecured space?

That's an interesting take.

You can get a leash and collar at dollar tree. Clip it to a pole or something.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you would win any prizes for problem-solving. You could have knocked on the door of other neighbors to see if they had the owner's phone number or if they could hold the dog.

OP here. I knocked on their direct neighbor’s door (who I know well). They were unable to keep the dog in their fenced-in yard and they did not have any contact information for the dog owner.

A day later, I’m just glad the dog is okay.

I don't think you would win any prizes for problem-solving. You could have knocked on the door of other neighbors to see if they had the owner's phone number or if they could hold the dog.

I’d probably have called the police first, they have a program where they retain the animal while contacting owner. I might have brought it to my house and kept it in garage and yard for a week. Poor dog. Some people should not have pets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imo the neighbor was negligent to leave a puppy (sounds like it’s an older pup) alone with no collar in the backyard. They should have crate trained it.

They are lucky you went above and beyond to keep their dog safe given your circumstances.

SERIOUSLY. Who does this?!

You are all so judgmental. For all we know they were in the yard with the puppy. It jumped the fence and ran off. They could not catch it so hopped in the car. Then the puppy returned. OP said they were not at home because they were looking for the dog. Lots of dogs are really fast. Once they are out, it takes seconds for them to be out of sight.

Sweetie, having better judgment doesn't make us "judgmental". Per the OP, the dog was behind the fence as OP walked by, and in the street as OP walked back, and OP was able to catch it. Quit creating a narrative where the owners aren't responsible just so you feel better about how irresponsible you also are.

If you have a new puppy, it should be dragging its leash in the yard until its recall is established correctly, and you should never leave it unattended. Yes, lots of dogs are really fast, and their humans need to properly account for this. That's not "judgmental" it's simply responsible.

Darlin',
Just so you know, dragging a leash is a terrible idea and a strangulation hazard, especially for a fence jumper/climber. They can also cross the fence in both directions.

I probably would have brought the dog home and put him in a room or something but in the heat of the moment, with no better options, there's nothing wrong with what you did, OP. You went out of your way repeatedly to help the dog. I'd be very, very grateful!

If you're worried they hate you or about the fine or whatever, I'd suggest to stop by tomorrow and ring the doorbell to just say hello and check in to be sure the pup is back home okay and there was no hassle. Them properly introduce yourself and offer her your cell number (and ask for hers) and say you'd be happy to have her number just in case the puppy ever got loose again and you needed to contact her directly. That would be neighborly and kind and certainly no one could have hard feelings about such a gesture

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imo the neighbor was negligent to leave a puppy (sounds like it’s an older pup) alone with no collar in the backyard. They should have crate trained it.

They are lucky you went above and beyond to keep their dog safe given your circumstances.

SERIOUSLY. Who does this?!

You are all so judgmental. For all we know they were in the yard with the puppy. It jumped the fence and ran off. They could not catch it so hopped in the car. Then the puppy returned. OP said they were not at home because they were looking for the dog. Lots of dogs are really fast. Once they are out, it takes seconds for them to be out of sight.

Sweetie, having better judgment doesn't make us "judgmental". Per the OP, the dog was behind the fence as OP walked by, and in the street as OP walked back, and OP was able to catch it. Quit creating a narrative where the owners aren't responsible just so you feel better about how irresponsible you also are.

If you have a new puppy, it should be dragging its leash in the yard until its recall is established correctly, and you should never leave it unattended. Yes, lots of dogs are really fast, and their humans need to properly account for this. That's not "judgmental" it's simply responsible.