Say your neighbor has a dog that's ALWAYS outside, never inside. Not during rain, or snow, or horrible heat wave,... Further down the line the dog consistently barks, and the police are even called about it, but the owners still aren't taking care of their dog..
Would it be the right thing, legally ok, to take their dog to the humane shelter since obviously they cannot care for the dog, and the police aren't doing anything? Without them knowing I mean, like sneaking over while they are at work, and getting the dog?
Yes, no, please explain


ETA* This is NOT for me, my friend made a FB post about this, saying she was going to take their dog for neglect*

As much as it'd pain me, there's not much you can do. It's not right to take the dog from them (not to mention illegal), but as long as the dog has food, water and shelter- it's not illegal for the dog to be outside.

Keep calling animal control about it until they do something. In the meantime, try your best to keep the dog fed and watered. If possible, toss over a cardboard box so he can at least have some shelter until he is rescued.

That makes me sad.  

No, I think that is just wrong. Keep filing complaints if you think it is being neglected or is violating a noise ordinance. It's not the dog's fault it's owner is an idiot. And a shelter would more than likely put it down.

If they found out it was you who took the dog, they can sue you.... BUT! Let's say the dog "got out". You can call animal control to come get the lose dog, and just ask to remain anonymous....

Quoting ☮LoveAndSerenity:" As much as it'd pain me, there's not much you can do. It's not right to take the dog from them (not to ... [snip!] ... them (not to mention illegal), but as long as the dog has food, water and shelter- it's not illegal for the dog to be outside. "

 
As for the barking, just try calling again. It is considered a noise disturbance, so the most you can do is try again.

Quoting mamacj:" No, I think that is just wrong. Keep filing complaints if you think it is being neglected or is violating ... [snip!] ... violating a noise ordinance. It's not the dog's fault it's owner is an idiot. And a shelter would more than likely put it down."

Most shelters are no-kill these days.

I would call the cops again. or call animal control. if they arent taking care of theyre dog and it is disrupting your life make someone fix it!

you could legally get into trouble for sneaking onto their property and stealing their dog and then taking it to the human society...

No, unless you wanna go to jail for dognapping.

Quoting Spyro:" Keep calling animal control about it until they do something. In the meantime, try your best to keep ... [snip!] ... If possible, toss over a cardboard box so he can at least have some shelter until he is rescued. That makes me sad.   "

Actually, other than the first thing you said, that is the exact wrong thing to do. As an ACO, they are limited to what they can do and prove. If a neighbor provides food, water, and/or shelter for the animal, they cannot take picture proof of the dog's true conditions.

Just keep calling and calling until something gets done. As long as the dog has food, water, and shelter there isnt much you can do. Its legal for dogs to live outside, if they have those 3 things.

Quoting Momma Squishy of 2.5:" Say your neighbor has a dog that's ALWAYS outside, never inside. Not during rain, or snow, or horrible ... [snip!] ... anything? Without them knowing I mean, like sneaking over while they are at work, and getting the dog? Yes, no, please explain"

I know people who have taken the dog. lol But that is stealing. Your best bet is to call Animal Control. They will send someone out to look around and talk to the people. See if the animal is being taken are of.
it sucks, but that is all you can do. and if it's a big huge deal and you know the animal is being abused, you can try the cops.

Quoting Spyro:" Most shelters are no-kill these days. "

No, they really aren't. And no-kill is a very mis-leading term. Trust me, they still kill the animals - they just have to meet certain guidelines in order to do so.

Quoting mamacj:" Actually, other than the first thing you said, that is the exact wrong thing to do. As an ACO, they are ... [snip!] ... a neighbor provides food, water, and/or shelter for the animal, they cannot take picture proof of the dog's true conditions. "

I would never neglect an animal that needed food or water. I'm sorry, but if I have the means to help a defenseless animal, I will.