I walked onto the car lot and asked to speak to the owner.
When he approached, I told him I was there because of my concern for the dog.
I asked where its shelter was, and the owner tried to explain they had just
opened, that the garage where the dog could use at night was still being
cleaned up. I asked to see it and he showed me. It was full of miscellaneous
stuff, with no bedding for a dog. I made it very clear to the owner that I,
infact, lived next door and could see that the garage door is completely shut at
night. At that point, the owner said they had a "shelter" for the dog.
Again,I asked to see it and he took me to it. It is between a wall and the office.
There the dog was tied to a 10-12ft chain, next to the "shelter". I clearly
explained that he was in contradiction of the City of New West, SPCA etc.
bylaws that state a dog cannot be tied. The owner tried to deflect this by
saying the dog was also put in the large enclosed pen. I pointed out that the
pen was completely paved, had not grass, trees, toys etc. I made a point of
walking upto the tethered dog and petting it. It was not aggressive or
threatening at all. I asked why they would want a guard dog at all, and did
they actually think that this dog was suitable? The owner said the dog was
"young", like it would learn to be threatening some how. It's the "how" that
concerns me as well. I asked if he thought the shelter was acceptable, that
the dog is always curled up on the cold wet pavement by the front gate at
night, rain, wind or fog. He said it had a blanket. I said that it was very
obvious that the blanket was soaking wet, that "cardboard" would not protect the
dog from rain etc. He did not dispute this.
The owner said they plan to build a proper shelter. I told him I would be
back to check that they did build it.
I should say the owner was, at no time, rude or dismissive and that the dog
is
wearing a licence. Whether it's current or not I wasn't able to confirm.
I may be way out of line, and overreacting. I believe a dog is a member of
the family not something to be neglected and left without affection.
Certainly there are far worse cases of "carlot" "backyard" "grow Op" dogs and
they all deserve to be saved. I wish it were so with all my heart.
This dog does not deserve this life. It is very friendly, craves affection
and
human contact. It is not a guard dog. In fact, I don't believe any dog
should be sentenced to that life.
I would hate to see this dog "turn" vicious due to neglect, isolation,
distress, lack of affection and resignation to a life of misery.
I would appreciate your thoughts and please let me know if there is anything
else I can do at this time.

Thank you