Dogs are treated poorly in the South compared to other regions of the United States.

I’ve lived and been to many places in America. I’ve resided in California, Idaho, and the South; and spent significant time in Washington, Oregon, Florida, Utah, and Colorado. After witnessing many different ways dogs are treated throughout the U.S., I’ve concluded dogs aren’t treated as well in the South. If these animals had a choice, they would want to move.

After living in the South awhile, my Fiancée and I went to a local car dealer. We engaged in some small talk and got on the subject of dogs. The dealer said “I don’t understand why people ever take dogs to the vet. That’s too expensive. If there is something wrong with a dog just take it out back and shoot it in the head; problem solved.” We couldn’t believe what we just heard. I clenched my teeth and tried to change the subject. This kind of talk is not unusual where my Fiancée and I live. Lots of people say these things. I think it highlights how different dogs are viewed here. Needless to say, we didn’t buy a car from that guy.

Right after the move, I was driving along this beautiful, curvy, country road lined with thick forests of oak trees. Many branches hung over the small highway giving the feeling I was driving through a tunnel. It was very pleasant and picturesque. I was following a new acquaintance I had rented a cabin from. Dazed by the windy road, I found myself very relaxed and somewhat sleepy. Unexpectedly, I was jolted awake and found myself swerving into the left lane, avoiding a dog that had suddenly appeared from the trees. If there had been an oncoming car, I would have had to smash that poor animal.

This sort of occurrence by itself isn’t unusual, but the same thing happened two more times during the same trip over fifteen miles. When I arrived at my new rental, I asked my acquaintance about it. He said “folks” around there would frequently breed dogs, then abandon the ones they didn’t want. I was very surprised hearing this, but was more disturbed the way he said it. His tone was so casual with no concern, as if he thought this was normal and right. It just didn’t make sense. Why breed all these dogs if so many are abandoned? I had only been in the South a matter of days and knew certain things were very different.

At the cabin I rented, several strays roamed. There was one that looked like Murray from the show Mad About You, a Border Collie people called Honey, and other mutts. All were infested with ticks and who knows whatever else. They looked abused and neglected. I wanted to help these dogs but already had three of my own. Nobody seemed interested in assisting them so I asked people about taking them to a local Humane Society. I was told no such organization existed in the area. Weird! Every place I have ever been or lived had some sort of organization for helping animals. Why not here? Is it lack of money, or do people not care? I think it’s a combination of both. Whatever the reason, it isn’t right. Attempts should be made to rectify the problem. Sadly, Honey was killed after being hit by a car.

Eventually, my Fiancée and I moved to a slightly more populated area (about 8000 people) in the same state. Several days a week people were camped at the local Wal-Mart, giving puppies away. Usually they were pit bulls, but sometimes it was something else. Of all the times we’ve driven by, there has never been anyone adopting. Why? There are too many dogs! I wonder how many of those puppies are now roaming the country roads as strays, or are dead? Please, Southerners, quit breeding your dogs and get them fixed!

To Wal-Mart’s credit, they did kick these people out of their parking lot after realizing it was a problem. Now we see folks pawning puppies across the street in a spot Wal-Mart doesn’t own. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not against people giving puppies away. But, when I see it three or four days a week then encounter countless strays roaming the highways, it bothers me. It adds to a problem that clearly exists. You would have to be blind not to notice it.

Recently, my Fiancée and I were leaving our house to go eat. We were about to open the front door when we noticed a Pit Bull lounging in one of our porch chairs. I've been careful around these dogs ever since I was almost attacked as a kid. After opening the door, I approached the dog cautiously. It turned out this dog was young, tired, scarred, scared, hungry, thirsty, and sweet. You could tell he had been left behind. After what this animal had been through, he was very kind, and elated to be getting attention. What kind of a person ditches a peaceful soul like this? Unfortunately, we couldn't adopt since we already had four. What do you do when there is no organization to help dogs? We called the sheriff. Our options turned out being: let the dog go, adopt, or take it to a city in a neighboring state. We chose the last and took the dog to a humane society in the other state. This situation made me understand why so many people abandon dogs in this area. It’s just easier. With that said, I think the fact there aren't better options is a direct result of people's lazy and careless attitude toward these animals. If the majority of people cared, there would be better options available.

There are many people in the South that love and care for their dogs and other pets. Many are not the way I have described above. Also, there are plenty of heartless citizens poorly treating dogs elsewhere in the Country. It just seems obvious to my Fiancée and I that harmful treatment of dogs is much more prevalent in the southern region. That is why I think Dogs Want to Leave the South.

On a positive note:

My Fiancée and I received a knock on our door a few months back from our neighbor. She proceeded to tell us a dog, that wasn’t hers, appeared on her porch. The poor thing seemed hungry and needed some food. So we walked over to give it some of ours. It turned out to be a tiny Jack Russell Terrier. The thing was so adorable and playful. After feeding and interacting with the girl we went home. Throughout the day and part of the night we couldn’t stop thinking about the poor thing. It happened to be very cold and windy and looked like it could storm. We couldn’t take it anymore. Around midnight we snuck over to our neighbors back porch and found the dog still there; sitting in the same chair where we had seen her earlier. She had no collar making it difficult to determine the owner. During subsequent weeks we posted signs and ran ads in the local paper. Nobody claimed her. As a result, we ended up adopting her into our family.

Please feel free to comment and be sure to check out the photos I posted below.

Thanks

Travis