Neglect abuse of dogs in Contra Costa Caifornia

Thank all of you who responded swiftly to the request to sign the petition on behalf of the German Shepherds. For some of you who asked questions here is more information.

The dogs are 3 years old now. They arrived at my next-door neighbor as puppies. After a year, they had their own puppies once and later got separated into two enclosures. 

After dealing with the situation for a few years this is my understanding of CCAS position regarding the standard of care the dogs receive. From the start CCAS officers made it clear that the law does not require owners to walk their dogs, socialize them or have human contact with them. For shelter, outddors, a piece of wood against a wall is considered sufficient during summer or winter. No bedding is required.

CCAS is implementing CA Penal 597 Cruelty Law, which addresses the issue in one sentence:  CA PENAL CODE 597 (animal cruelty law): "fails to provide the animal with proper food, drink or shelter or protection from the weather"

The word proper is open to interpretation. The most urgent issue with the dogs is lack of water. When calling CCAS, the clerks say that dogs need to have water available to them at all times. CCAS officers visited the property several times. In two incidents, CCAS reports indicated lack of water. No citation was given. As for the other CCAS visits to the property, the household where the dogs live has 5 residents. When the officers knock on the door, asked to go inside, walk through the residence and arrived to the side yard to the dog enclosures, one of the residents filled the water bowls with water.

CCAS handles complaints in an educational manner or criminal manner. A chargeable violation for Penal Code 597 or removal of dogs needs to be presented to a judge. A proof of a crime needs to be provided. From CCAS records of the situation: "Officer M. found both dogs to be alert, active and of adequate flesh"  - i.e.   no proof of inhumane treatment.

The neighbors can easily see the male dog's enclosure --his metal bowl is always empty, even on the hottest days of summer. Two years ago, a CCAS officer helped the owner place a bucket for each dog two feet deep in the ground to insure that the dogs would not flip the water container. These buckets were kept full of dog hair and algae. The dogs are given water once a day in the same bowl with their dry kibble. The owner said that they are animals and they are fine.

 Over the years CCAS explained that the conditions of dogs they see every day in the county are dire. The dogs next door, they say, are living in great conditions by comparison. My argument with CCAS is that they do not come by and inspect the conditions of the male dog, which is visible from the side fence, without letting the people of the household know that they are coming. They then can take photos, document the situation and give the owner a citation. A citation would motivate him to make sure the dogs have clean water available at all times, CA animal cruelty law will be implemented. 

As soon as a confirmation is given by CCAS as to the new date of CCAS director meeting with the public, it will be posted on Next Door. Beyond that it will be great if we can channel the energy of our dismay of the situation into an attempt to influence CA law, which currently treat pets like objects.

Please Google:  Oregon Supreme Court Makes History by saying dogs are " Sentient Beings". Katie Medlock, June 24 2016