What shall I do

[apbgv]

I think a dog has been left in a house couple houses down from me at least I haven't seen anyone there for a couple days. I happened to be walking one of my dogs and heard a dog howling from the house. and before I call the PD I want to be sure no one is coming and going.(like I have been doing at my parents just for the day) any ideas on marking the door so I can tell if someone has been there?

 

[KellyHM]

A piece of tape? If you're worried it might be better to just call the PD just to have the dog checked on so it doesn't starve to death or something.

 

[ChickenFanaticAB]

i would say just put a piece of tape on the door and the next time you go by see if it has been broken. Hopefully someone is coming by, but either way the pup sounds lonely!

 

[chickiebaby]

Have you asked the closest neighbors if they know anything?

 

[AngelzFyre]

They could be away on a trip and have someone coming in to feed,(hopefully) but I'd surely leave a nice note and just say you were concerned because the dog sounded like he was in distress and you wanted to make sure everything was okay. Leave a number they can call to get in touch with you and if you don't hear back in a day even...I'd not hesitate to call someone to check it out. If someone is taking care of him, they should contact you.
I hope no one is inside and sick or something, you just never know these days!
Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[happyhen]

Why waste time and jeapordize the dog's well being? If you've seen no people at the house in a couple of days, call the police or the humane society. I opt for the police first since that is one of the the things they do and will respond faster.

 

[Beekissed]

Can you ask a neighbor about the people living there? Maybe they have a neighbor who is coming in a checking on and caring for this dog. Maybe this dog has access to the outside through a petdoor and can go to a part of the yard you can't see? Maybe these people work at night and this is why you don't see them coming and going? The scenarios could be many, but I would never call the police until I had explored a lot of them.

This dog could even have a kennel in the garage for the time his owners are away, with a continuous waterer and feeder. How would that be different than being in a kennel outside with the same setup?

I friend of mine parked his moving truck in my driveway overnight, as his driveway was too small. The following week I heard the rumor spread that I had moved away and left my dog to survive on her own! I had lived there for nine years and we never went anywhere for any length of time without that dog! This neighbor just didn't realize that I worked nights and the kids got off the bus at my mother's. The dog had fresh water and food each day inside her 1/2 acre of fenced in area. Just because she wasn't awake each morning to see me care for my dog, or awake each night when I left for work, she assumed she knew the story. All this because she saw a moving truck in my driveway!

People have active imaginations and seem to always imagine the worst! If you are that concerned about this dog, you will do the investigation needed to insure you are not just nosing into someone else's business for nothing.

 

[BayCityBabe]

Does the dog look ill or hungry? You have to follow your gut. I would make an effort to speak with neighbors, though. Or, you could leave a note: "Your dog appears unhappy left alone. Give me a call - I'll walk him. 555-5555." You could also go to White Pages & do a look-up on the address. You might find a number to call.
Don't be the uninvolved bystander! Too many bad things happen when people are shy to become involved.
Good luck!