Need Advice

[pupsnpigs]

There is an ad on our local classified site for pups. They are retriever x shepherd x pit mixes.

The pictures have haunted me all night. The dog that appears to be the mother is very thin and is chained to the 'dog house' with a rather heavy chain. The dog house isn't what I call proper shelter. It has gaps between the boards. It looks like, but I can't be sure, that the food has water added to it in the pic and that it is frozen.

I have a feeling they are outdoor only dogs. It is -2 right now but feels like -13. They don't have any shots and haven't visited a vet.

I want to go get them all out of there but know that would be a HUGE risk. They probably have worms, possibly fleas (there is hay in their house), and who knows what their health is like. I would take them all if they were free but they're charging $50 per pup. Something tells me none of this will go to momma's care. I don't want to give them money if it isn't going towards her spay or care.

I am already upset by the pictures. I want to call to find out more info and hopefully get and address. I was then thinking of calling the police just to check on their conditions. However the police always take forever to get out there and half the time don't even go.

Would you go out there yourself? What would you say if you did? Would you pay the $50? Am I just worrying/thinking too much?

Karla and Oliver CGC TDI ESD

[AtomicSkies]

call the aspca not the police

i personally would sadly not go out there as i know me and i would most likly not be able to hold my tongue with these people and i would end up giving them a lot of money for a lot of sick dogs that i cant take on

[pomluver]

Wow that is a tough one.... maybe put in a call to animal control. At least make a report about it. That way if it ever happens again or god forbid something tragic happens this time it is reported. Animal control will also ask if they have their current vaccines (at least for the mother) and if the dog is registered in their county. In my area all of this is a MUST. So are the pups staying outside also? With people like this I guess I would either:
a) buy the pups and report them to animal control (sometimes animal control will not go off of someones word and when they attemept to contact the owners they are stonewalled)
b) go visit take your camera and ask if you can take pics of the pups
because you want to show them to the family and make a choice from there. In those shots make sure you get wide pics to show the living conditions of the mother and pups. Take pics of all pups in their surroundings.

Personal expierence:
I happend to do option B last year to pit bull x pups and their mother.
Took all the picks to the animal control and all the pups and mother were taken away. Also the people whom had those dogs had a record of previous dog abuse and neglect. It did however take a few days for them to get the dog out of that eniviroment. I did get to visit them once again after they were take from those horrid owners.
Just becareful and be very friendly and patient. Good luck in what you choose!
I hope this helps and/or inspires other ideas.