Reader letter: That's no way to treat a pet (reader action update)
Thursday, September 27, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
SooToday.com received the following letter from a faithful reader and concerned dog lover who observed some disturbing behaviour from an area resident.
Update: Curious about the comments left below by our faithful readers, SooToday.com took a drive down Wilson Street to see if this letter had indeed been printed out and distributed to the area's residents.
Sure enough, we spotted one in each mailbox on the street, just like the one pictured.
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Dear SooToday,
As a faithful reader of your website, I felt you would be the perfect medium for this issue.
Yesterday around 3 p.m., I witnessed a very saddening and despicable treatment of an animal.
While looking out my front window, I noticed a young man running with a dog following behind as they cut through between my neighbour’s house and my own.
While in my backyard with my own dog, I witnessed the event that I previously described.
I watched this young man grab his dog by the collar, not in a leading way, but in the worst way I’ve ever seen.
He began dragging his dog who was at this point yelping in pain, and having trouble breathing.
But it’s what happened next I can’t get out of my head.
He proceeded to drag his dog to the ground and kick him repeatedly in the stomach.
At this point I yelled at the young man to stop as the dog was yelping in pain continuously.
Another neighbour was also yelling at him to stop.
I ran inside, grabbed my cell phone, and immediately headed after him with the intention of calling the police or humane society once I found his address.
I was out of luck.
I asked anyone I saw outside if they had seen a young man wearing a red ball cap with a black dog.
A few had seen him, but like myself were unable to remember exactly which house that dog belongs to.
I even tried calling the humane society but without an exact address little can be done.
The dog is black, not sure which breed, maybe some sort of lab mix.
And the house is on Wilson Street, between 330 and 370 area.
I’m writing this letter hoping the young man's parents, a neighbour or perhaps the young man in question, see this article and hopefully realize that yesterday’s actions were uncalled for.
Although it might seem frustrating at times to have a pet that doesn’t listen, the way to handle the situation is definitely not the way he did.
Perhaps if this young man realizes what he did was wrong, he can change how he acts toward that dog or any other animal.
Thank-you,
A Concern Animal Lover
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r_0_x_y 9/27/2012 10:35:35 AM ReportYou should print your story and put it in the mailbox of every home in that area.
Ada 9/27/2012 10:36:05 AM ReportFind him and give him the same kind of punishment. What a jack, poor dog. I hope you found out the address and have that dog taken away.
LillyGirl 9/27/2012 10:36:14 AM ReportWhat a loser. People like him should not be allowed to own animals and should be charged. It must make him feel like a really big strong man to beat a innocent dog. Sad and sick. Hope they find this idiot and take the dog away before her really hurts it and kills it. If he treats his pets like that I would hate to see how he would treat his children.
Janlem 9/27/2012 10:36:57 AM ReportThe police and the humane society need to find and remove that dog from the house....and the owner charged with animal cruelty.....if he is treating his dog like that in public how is the dog being treated behind closed doors???
Pearl_48 9/27/2012 10:43:29 AM ReportIf I seen that, I wouldn't have been so nice!!!
Sault_Girl 9/27/2012 10:43:37 AM ReportDisgusting. Cruelty to animals can be a symptom of a severe psychological disorder. I hope somebody comes forward with this bastard's address so the Humane Society can get the dog out of that horrific situation. I would personally sponsor this dog's stay at the shelter if they rescue it.
25miller 9/27/2012 10:44:24 AM ReportSo very sad. I have called the police and the Humane Society (which is listed in the yellow pages under Animal Protection & Shelters) about this same kind of thing and nothing was done.The reply I got from the Humane Society was that they only had 1 officer to handle these problems and this was her day off...That was on a Thursday.Called back and was told they were in the area Monday and didn't see anything.Well we never seen them even after telling them to come to a business and we will show them the house.1 officer for a city with a populating of over 75,000??
I seen an artical about abusing animals in North Bay and they sent a lot more then one officer to the house right away.We need more officers in this city or aniamls will continue being treated this way.Being an animal lover myself,I am glad I didn't see this happen or my name would be in the news...
jewels1982 9/27/2012 10:53:16 AM ReportWow. I cannot believe someone would do this to there dog and good for you trying to go after him. i would have done the same thing and followed this man. No animal deserves that kind of treatment. My heart goes out to that dog. Someone mentioned printing this and putting it in people's mail boxes in that area, I agree that is such a great idea.
Janlem 9/27/2012 10:55:57 AM ReportI agree...it is a great idea.....print this off and put it in the mailboxes of the people in the neighbourhood ......the dog needs help.
clara 9/27/2012 11:20:52 AM ReportThat's a good idea about copying the letter and putting it in the mailboxes of the houses you suspect that the man lives in. Also, print out a copy of all the comments that the readers have submitted. I'm hoping the Humane Society will investigate this matter and confront the idiot. He needs to stop this. Kuddos to the witness/writer of the letter. You didn't turn your back, you ARE doing something. Keep an eye out for him, eventually you will see him and/or the dog again and can find out where they live. That dog needs to be removed and placed in a loving home.
SooTodayer 9/27/2012 11:26:49 AM ReportLesson for us all, when you see any kind of abuse, do something. Say something, follow them, yell at them.
CALL THEM OUT ON IT!
And to all Wilson street dwellers, this writer has narrowed it down to a small area, someone out there knows who has this dog or where it lives. Please help save it from this kind of horrible treatment.
JustMe1234567 9/27/2012 11:31:43 AM Report"You can judge a society by the way it treats its animals." - Gandhi
frauleinbroomhilda 9/27/2012 11:37:26 AM ReportWilson Street between 330 and 370? This loser has to come out sooner or later! I'm sure his poor dog has to be let out to do it's business too.We should all do a drive by if we're in the neighbourhood to see if we can locate him or his dog. My heart is just sick thinking of the abuse this animal must be going through on a daily basis. Thanks for letting the public know. Cruelty to any animal should not be tolerated!!!! Sick BAS&*%D!!!
TotallyConfused 9/27/2012 11:37:37 AM ReportHe is obviously a pathetic waste of skin. Makes him feel like a "Big Man" beating his poor dog.
To the witness - more people need to be like you and take action or attempt to take action instead of turning a blind eye!!
I personally might not have been so nice. Someone should put the reject on a leash and drag him down the road then proceed to kick him the gut!!
r_0_x_y 9/27/2012 11:38:00 AM ReportI'd like to find out if the mailbox idea is follow up on ... if it isn't, my coworkers and I will gladly do it !!!
(and may just do it anyways)
roxxyroller 9/27/2012 11:51:45 AM ReportOMG This makes me so IRATE! The feelings that just swept over me while reading this article were unreal! I hope that idiot gets caught and treated the EXACT same way he treated that poor dog! That was only one incident, imagine how this poor dog suffers at the hands of that excuse for a human being in the privacy of their own home?
That dog's owner needs a bullit to the head, end of story!
hog.rider 9/27/2012 12:03:27 PM ReportYou should be careful because cruelty to animals is an indicator for psychopathy and this "man" knows where you live! I would phone the police and file a report, he may not appreciate the mailbox idea and you could end up suffering. I live in Toronto and have learned that there are safe and unsafe ways to get involved. Good luck and watch out for yourself too.
willoweep 9/27/2012 12:25:34 PM ReportI wish it were as easy as saying you saw it happen .I too have yelled at someone who was abusing his Dog on more then one occasion AND I knew exactly where he lived.
The SPCA did attend ,did speak to the Man and basically told me that they at that time could determine no injuries to the Dog although bruises on an animal are often very hard to discern and that the Dog didnt appear frightened of the Man in fact the Dog went to him when they approached it.
I have no doubt that it did ,they love unconditionally .
I called twice more on witnessing abuse and was basically told that if I could tape this abuse they might be able to take some actions as I was the only one reporting this so it was basically his word against mine.
Due to the geographical situation that proved impossible.
I am not making this up the Man had already had a Dog removed from him for abuse! (this from a SPCA worker)
To this day I do not know what happened to that Dog . I can only hope the SPCA finally took it from him.
Makes me SICK ! They can't speak for themselves ,and sadly some times we can't either .
camiol 9/27/2012 12:34:14 PM ReportI read this article a couple hours ago and I can't get it out of my head. This kid needs a good beating himself. I hope that someone knows who this person is, has the courage to report him to the Humane Society. What he did is vicious and cruel and doesn't deserve to own a pet. I am outraged by his actions, but grateful to the people who tried to do the right thing by chasing him and trying to report him to the humane society. I urge anyone who knows this person to please, please, please do what's right and save this poor dog from suffering anymore torture.
Dictionary 9/27/2012 12:59:54 PM ReportSomebody come forward please!
Bad Dawg 9/27/2012 1:18:36 PM Reporthope he doesn't have lil brothers and sisters...... or kids of his own.... sick really sick
frauleinbroomhilda 9/27/2012 1:21:05 PM ReportStep up to the plate neighbours!!!!You're just as guilty as the guy beating his dog if you don't help!!! PLEASE????
hitch 9/27/2012 1:30:07 PM ReportDISGUSTING!! My God!! Where is Wilson Street close to?
dior 9/27/2012 1:35:20 PM ReportI live near wilson Ill certainly be keeping my ears and eyes open ..Is this upper or lower wilson?
Sera 9/27/2012 1:39:29 PM ReportI think the mailbox idea is GREAT! I'll come and help you if need be!!!
I remember being at Bellevue Park taking pictures with my daughter when I saw a man across the pond with his family and they were all in their sunday best (it was sunday) and the man was throughing rocks at the seagulls in the pond! Next thing you know he grabbed a big boulder and proceeded to throw it at a seagull. Just before he did I screamed at him to stop. Furthermore I screamed at him that I would phone the police and have him charged and what an awful example of a human being he was being in front of his wife and children. Another woman started yelling also. Needless to say my daughter was a bit embarrassed but I taught her that day NOT to hurt beings, and if they cannot stick up for themselves she has to!
Anyways....do the mailbox idea!!!!!
r_0_x_y 9/27/2012 2:11:22 PM ReportIt's the Wilson off Bruce Street (bottom of hill) and don't worry, their mailboxes are full :o)
stamp 9/27/2012 2:34:37 PM ReportThat is a horrible way to treat an animal. Since we are so short of animal police in Sault Ste. Marie, we have to step up and help this poor animal. Dont think twice about printing this letter and puting it in every mailbox on the street. Dont let it rest. That animal cant talk for itself so you have to act on it's behalf. If nothing comes of it, please go to a higher power.
northwoodson 9/27/2012 2:44:30 PM ReportThis person was most likely beaten as a child, which is even more sad. I'm sure you guys woulds like to chase down his parents too right. A baby is born a genius and is crushed by society.
chrystal 9/27/2012 3:29:22 PM ReportMy heart breaks, this happen way too often and yes the kid deserves... how about a hug he obviously feels the need to take his anger out on something mabey we could rally around him and SHOW him the right way to treat and amimal before we all become one ourselves!! I am not defending his actions they were wrong wrong wrong!!! There are basically no laws towards animal crulety WE need to change this for all the reasons posted above....imagine this was a pitbull they would be there in a heart beat to take the dog!!
tift14 9/27/2012 3:45:40 PM ReportHow can anyone EVER do that to an animal. My two dogs are like my best friends, I'd never treat them like that. This person doesn't deserve to have an animal if thats the way hes treating it. If I ever came across him doing that, I'd take the dog home for myself. Animals are like people, they can be emotionally and pysically hurt just like people can. not fair.
shaddow 9/27/2012 6:14:54 PM ReportIt is very sad to think an idiot would abuse a innocent dog the way the person described it. What if that was a poor child being abused like that. There are too many 'BULLIES' out their so all we can do is 'everyone' who feels this is wrong, start cruising past the houses on Wilson St. (not only 340 - 370) take in an area from 300 to 400, as there is a better chance of locating this person & dog in a larger area. Everyone can make a big noise on here but how many are going to get off their ass & patrol the area, until this person is located. I will do my share of 'patrol' - what about you ???? City streets are public which allows anyone to 'cruise' down them & looking around. The Police can not do anything as long as you do not stop & create problems or assault someone. The neighbors can not legally do anything either BUT they can help to catch the loser/abuser in their area. Wake up & smell the coffee before a child is next - then it will be too late to whine.................
medsec 9/27/2012 6:58:15 PM ReportWhoever you are you are a very kind and caring person, I hope they can find this guy, but you know dogs no matter how hard they are beaten or abused will often stand behind their "masters", I hate that word, anyway at the very least he won't probably do anything in public again but who knows what will go on behind closed doors, maybe if he knows he is being watched he will step up to the plate, doubt it, but you are really a good person for doing this.
Flyers08 9/27/2012 8:03:07 PM ReportAwesome job on the letters guys! This guys day will come, don't worry.
sccs446 9/27/2012 8:21:47 PM ReportSadly the humane society prob wont even do anything. 3-4 weeks ago my daughter and I witnessed my neighbour dragging his dog across the street by the collar. Why cause it ran out of the yard. Poor dogs back paws were barely even touching the ground. Guess what they never did show up to investigate. This is an elderly man as well that should know better.
JustMe1234567 9/27/2012 8:56:19 PM Reportr_0_x_y 9/27/2012 2:11:22 PM Report
It's the Wilson off Bruce Street (bottom of hill) and don't worry, their mailboxes are full :o)
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Yay for SooToday viewer ROXY!
Awesome that you took time out of your own life to print out this article and put them in the mailboxes.
I am proud to post a comment in the same section as you!
Roxy you are a good egg, really!!
sccs446 9/27/2012 9:44:23 PM ReportMan I wish it were legal to go treat the owner in the same abusive way. Mr. J would have had a few good beat downs already!!!
willoweep 9/27/2012 9:45:54 PM Report@ sccs446
It was an older guy in the incedence I mentioned earlier and it was a Beagle type Dog .
I know he moved away a cpl years ago I shudder to think it could be the same Man?
I am really impressed by the amount of People wanting and trying to help .
Maybe with this sort of outcry the Humane Society will make an extra effort to find the Dog or at least pay attention to this case.
They are usually Animal lovers too but they are so understaffed .
SherriM 9/27/2012 9:49:24 PM ReportSomeone should put a collar around his neck and give the same treatment back. Poor dog. If this guy treats his dog like that picture if he has a wife or kid. Another thing that bothers me are these people that bring their dogs jogging and tie their dogs to bikes. Dogs get tired too and you see them barely keeping up with the bikes. In my eyes thats abuse too. How would you like being tied to a bike and forced to keep up. IDIOTS.
sccs446 9/27/2012 10:05:52 PM ReportThis dog is a small cream colored one, not sure of breed but pretty sure its not a beagle.
The dog is never tied up and the guy seems to think its the dogs fault when it wonders away.
He litterly picks it up by the collar and the dogs front paws are completely off the ground and its back ones just barely dragging.
BawbHoss 9/27/2012 10:55:04 PM ReportAnother Sick Sad Story ...
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/27/man-was-trying-to-eat-dog-alive-witnesses
Poor Canada ... Poor World ... SAD !!!
Sera 9/27/2012 11:25:00 PM ReportKudos to Roxy!!!
Thankyou for that, and hope that the twit gets outted!!!!
Thankyou!
Sticking together is what it's all about!!!
tipper 9/28/2012 12:11:03 AM ReportFirst of all it doesn't matter if he was abused as a child or not. Does that give a person the right to beat their children?? No! I bet this guy is hiding out and it wouldn't surprise me if he got rid of the dog so he could get away with it. For the dogs sake I pray he is in a safer and happy home where he can be cuddled and loved everyday. I only hope he hasn't done anything to it to get rid of it. As for him the only justice is doing to him what he inflicted on that poor animal! I plead to the guy that did this.. give that animal to the humane society or a neighbour because you don't want him.
r_0_x_y 9/28/2012 8:18:39 AM Reporti had lots of help :o) (thanks janlem et all!!)
thanks sootoday for updating this and bringing it to the top of the news stories again ... someone with a heart will see the notes and do the right thing.
i'm sure all your readers would appreciate it if you could follow-up on this story (with the HS and/or police) - we'd all breathe a sigh of relief if we heard this doggie was safe.
clara 9/28/2012 8:38:35 AM ReportThank you to the person(s) responsible for putting the letters in the mailboxes. You're the perfect example of a true animal lover - you actually do something, not just talk the talk. Please consider becoming involved with a local animal rescue organization - people like you are needed and really make a difference.
TFinn 9/28/2012 8:41:04 AM ReportThat's no way to treat a pet ..!
It’s a sad thing to see. Here is a case of a punk who probably bugged his parents to buy him a dog promising to care for it, but after the novelty wore off and the pet needed care all hours of the day and taken out for it’s business now becomes work for the miserable little brat. Probably was forced to get off his lazy ass to tend to the dog ..which undoubtedly took him away from his video games or computer or phone texting all of one word at a time text’s and hundreds of text’s a day of …..this made him take it out on the poor pet.….!! Find this coward and then sentence him to at least 6 months of working at the humane society caring for all pets etc..! Maybe he`d then get the point and appreciate a pet….!!!!
25miller 9/28/2012 9:20:20 AM Reportsccs446 ..You are telling us that you witnessed a dog being abused and didn't do anything about it? Just saying..
To the person that put out the letters on Wilson..GREAT JOB...I hope it does not stop on Wilson.Maybe the Sault Star and Sault This Week could put the letter in their papers and spread the word around the Sault.Maybe it will help stop animal abuse around the Sault.I am sure if people read what happend to this dog ,it might make them aware and watch for this sort of thing and report it.Even if it helps a dog or two..Every little bit helps.
Neon_Angel 9/28/2012 9:23:58 AM Reportr_0_x_y
That's awesome you went and put the letters in the mailboxes. Other people that have commented on here like myself were all thinking about doing the same thing.
This letter has definitely raised awareness and hopefully the human society or the police or others in the city will become more involved in the welfare of animals.
sccs446 9/28/2012 9:53:59 AM ReportNever said i didnt, but for my standing up for the dog i get stupid calls from him to police. Last was a ticket on my truck for being on roadway in excess of 18hrs lol. I took care of tht with cop, its all the consistsnt BS visits every 2nd 3rd week now for something stupid!! Becoming harassment now
LAG 9/28/2012 10:01:11 AM ReportIt states in the letter that a neighbour also yelled at the guy to stop hurting the dog. Does anyone know who that neighbour was? Maybe he knows who the dog owner is? I agree...I think we should all take turns driving by to look out for this guy and the dog. This is horrible.
Poshkitty 9/28/2012 11:01:19 AM ReportI don't want any haters getting all defensive by me writing this...but really...is all the facts in this letter a bit choppy! what I am getting from the facts is that maybe the guy was defending himself from a stray that may have tried to attack him! I didn't witness nor do I know any of the facts but seriously is it worth a one sided story that involves a witch hunt. Let the authorities handle it .
Neon_Angel 9/28/2012 11:17:59 AM ReportPoshkitty
I know the person that wrote this letter, and it wasn't a stray, it was this kids dog and according to a neighbour had gotten off it's leash.
But if the kid was being attacked by a stray I don't think he would be dragging it by the collar or going near it.
Mel687 9/28/2012 12:23:01 PM ReportI live on Wilson close to where this letter refers to, I promise you my blinds will be open and I'll be watching for this dog and kid. I don't have a dog but have had cats and they are my babies I could never imagine kicking them or being forceful! I hope this kid gets what he deserves if he's willing to abuse an innocent animal who knows what else he is capable of. Lots of animals have dicipline issues and there are acceptable ways to tell them that they are doing something wrong without hurting or abusing them.
Precious1 9/28/2012 4:03:23 PM ReportSO DOES THIS GUY FEEL LIKE HE'S TOUGH, BEATING ON HIS DOG? THIS WORLD IS MESSED UP, IF YOU CAN'T CONTROL A DOG, WHY WOULD YOU GET ONE IN THE FIRST PLACE. CONGRATS TO ROXY, I LIVE NO WHERE NEAR WILSON BUT I WILL BE DRIVING BY ON MY WAY TO WORK FORSURE. AND AS FAR AS THE HUMANE SOCIETY GOES, WASTE OF TIME. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO OPEN UP A SHELTER FOR ABUSED DOGS OR CATS OR WHATEVER ,CAUSE I HAVE LOTS OF PROPERTY, I'VE BEEN SO UNSURE BUT READING ALL THESE STORIES I THINK ITS TIME TO HELP THESE POOR ANIMALS WHO HAVE UNFORTUNEATELY BEEN STUCK WITH *@$HOLES FOR OWNERS
coach37 9/29/2012 3:03:50 AM Reportwish the dog would of bitten him, hope his parents get some help for this evil jerk, he be lucky I didnt see that being a dog lover myself and have 3 big dogs, would of treated him like he treated the dog
marnie81 9/29/2012 5:10:29 PM ReportI live on Wilson street and the address that is posted from 330 to 370 is not were the dog lives. I see these neighbours everyday and no one owns a black lab looking dog at these houses. However there are a couple of house behind Wilson that have had the cops called on them because of mistreating animals. I know my neighbours and myself have been watching for this guy and have not seen him yet. Hope he gets caught soon.
