Animal welfare for an event that didn't bother or hurt the dog seems a bit extreme. To be sure, if these were my kids and my dog, they'd be redirected, reprimanded and possibly punished. I have teens but no dog. My perfectly well-adjusted DH has told me he and his brother used to throwing their dachsaund through the air on onto the couch just for laughs. I mention this as evidence that teens boys or by definition are impulsive and don't exercise good judgment.

I'd need to know a lot more about these kids to know if they are just acting super stupid or if they are exhibiting signs of abuse and cruelty. OP, its seems like you already voiced your objection, which was appropriate. I'd be on high alert for additional signs of trouble around these kids, but keep in mind--Teen boys brains are not adult brains--they look for excitement and exercise poor impulse control.

Anonymous wrote:OP, you and your husband did the right thing by saying something. I feel really badly for the dog. Do you believe that what you say was the extent of the treatment of the dog or do you think the dog is treated worse but they cleaned up their act a little bit because you were there? I wouldn't want to overreact but if you think the treatment is worse than what you saw then you might want to consider calling Animal Control to report possible mistreatment. You can do it anonymously.

I would call Animal Control for a welfare check. No question. I would also wonder if the kids are being abused.

OP, you and your husband did the right thing by saying something. I feel really badly for the dog. Do you believe that what you say was the extent of the treatment of the dog or do you think the dog is treated worse but they cleaned up their act a little bit because you were there? I wouldn't want to overreact but if you think the treatment is worse than what you saw then you might want to consider calling Animal Control to report possible mistreatment. You can do it anonymously.

They all sound awful. Sorry you have to deal with these people, OP. If somebody threw something at our cat, they would be asked to leave immediately and never come back. But it being family is trickier for you to navigate.

Congrats on your budding serial killers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here. I told the kids to stop throwing stuff at the dog. they ignored me so I told my husband to say something to his brother. brother laughed it off saying the dog likes it. he then told his wife that we are telling them how to raise their kids. she got defensive and we ended up just leaving. Their reaction is typical behavior in that household.

Well that explains it. Sh*tty parents raising sh*tty kids.

+1 Mystery solved.