Sun, 08/02/2009 - 8:54am - Posted by: Pale Rider

The bigger story here is just the sheer number of dogs left unattended in Sheridan. Both day and night--they bark incessantly in this town, and it's hard to get the City to zap anyone for it. The City is understaffed. It makes Sheridan feel like a darn pet store.

The other obvious question that needs to be asked and doesn't seem to be, is why these neighbors could call the cops, but not intervene? Why did they not provide water, talk to the owner, or hose down the dog? I'm not prepared to see the cop callers in this story as heroes, although at least they did make a phone call. They could have, and should have, done more.

For those who think the owner should be subject to similar abuses, OK, that's one possibility. Maybe you should write your congressmen, senators, legislators, etc. and start suggesting proper punishment for crimes in this country, and firing those who don't comply. I wonder about those more concerned about this dog than their fellow human beings being victimized by criminals of a wide variety. What is so wrong with flogging and caning, anyway? If it's good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for us.

Sat, 08/01/2009 - 10:49pm - Posted by: JoeSchmoe

This person should have to pay the max. amount in fines . Hopfully she will be given alot of sevice time ,working at the DOG SHELTER. Her picture needs to be put on the front page of the Paper . Don't let this story just die ,like the poor dog did !

Sat, 08/01/2009 - 9:51pm - Posted by: strings59

Why was this dog chained up to begin with? when you get a pet it's supposed to be part of the family,not chained in the back yard.my dogs are kept in the air conditioned house in the summer and a warm house in the winter.They get frequent play breaks and potty breaks outside but are not left unattended,they have to have human contact,and obviously this dog was left on it's own ,to survive on it's own and chained like a criminal.These people should not be allowed to own another (animal) because it surely wasn't a pet.And I think being chained in her own back yard for just 8 hours is not to harsh of punishment.

Sat, 08/01/2009 - 12:52pm - Posted by: lovejd73

"... how sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care..."

Uh, yeah -- this moron gets my vote for 'biggest animal abuser' of the week too! Infact, let's put her right up there along with the other moron from a month or so ago who TIED a dog to the back of her car to "walk" it as a form of 'punishment', remember that glorious wonder folks?!?!?! I agree 100% that morons like this should NEVER, EVER be allowed to own anything more than a PLANT and even then someone should come out to make frequent visits to the home to make sure they are taking care of that properly! :)

Sat, 08/01/2009 - 9:16am - Posted by: matty125

Thats pretty low of her to keep herself nice and cool while her dog swelters away in the heat.

I cannot stand people who dont take care of their animals, you got the animal, take care of it.
You lady win the award for animal abuser of the week. This award is only offered to the lowest of citizens, congrats. You should have to register in an animal abuser database just like pediphiles and sex abusers. You should be forbidden from animal ownership forever, Do You leave you family in the hot cars too.

Fri, 07/31/2009 - 5:43pm - Posted by: ThinkPeopleThink

This is one of those cases where the punishment deserves to fit the crime. Perhaps Ms. Bell should spend time with a chain wrapped around her neck in a sweltering small space with no water to get a sense of the suffering this poor animal endured prior to its death. Can you imagine?!

I have witnessed this horror first hand with prior neighbors in Pendleton in 2006. Their inaction resulted in the death of a 10 month old husky named Charlie while no one would step in and intervene. If I had been more courageous, I would have stolen Charlie to save him. How is it that if you STEAL a dog, it's a felony ... but if you KILL a dog, it's only a misdemeanor?! In the end, Charlie's owner was prosecuted and convicted. A $1000 fine and suspended jail time. It didn't bring Charlie back to life.

Thu, 07/30/2009 - 10:25pm - Posted by: Sara1982

Really people? Really...?? You need to be told that when it's hot outside ... not to mention RIDICULOUSLY hot ... that you should either leave your animal INSIDE out of the heat with proper food and water. OR leave your animal outside with proper access to shade and PLENTY of fresh water??? I mean c'mon. Seriously the level of stupidity never ceases to amaze me. (Then again..I am the one who feeds all the neighborhood cats that people take home as cute kittens and then ditch them when they grow out of the adorable kitten stage.) This lady sounds as about as intelligent as the guy on the news who thought it was OK to leave his dog in a car because he parked in the shade and gave him a little bowl of water. Ughh.... really...where are peoples brains??

Thu, 07/30/2009 - 10:16pm - Posted by: Catafoot

This story makes me so sad. Our pets depend upon us solely for their health and well-being. We should treat our pets as well as we treat our children. Can you imagine the repercussions if this story had been about a child instead of a dog? It would be much more than a mere misdemeanor. Please don't let this happen to another animal.