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PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:48 am 
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I live in Midtown Manhattan, and yesterday I saw a homeless man with a small dog (looked to be a Chihuahua mix) in tow. The man was walking briskly, and I quickly noticed that the dog was being almost dragged along -- it was having trouble keeping up. The dog had at least one injured back paw from what I could tell, as it was hopping, trying not to put weight on either of the paws.

The man seemed not to care as he quickly hurried through the streets before entering a Starbucks for a free water before heading back out. Not once did he look back at the dog, as it was struggling to walk at the same pace.

My mind started racing, thinking of what I could do. Approach the man and ask if I could help his dog? Would he become aggravated? Would he just ask for money (and likely not do anything)? Offer to bring the dog and him to an emergency vet? This was only a few blocks from my apartment so it is likely I will see this man and his dog again.

What should I do? Any thoughts? I haven't been able to stop thinking about that dog since last night, and don't know what I could have safely done.

As a side note, to those who are unfamiliar with NYC (or presumably other big cities), it is not uncommon to see a homeless person using animals as props to help bring in more money. Sitting on the sidewalk and with a sign that says something like "Please spare $1 & help us" as s/he sits there with a dog (or several animals: I once saw a man with 2 birds, a cat and 2 dogs).


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:18 am 
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It is not uncommon to see panhandlers anywhere using animals as props. People seem to give for animals who have no control over their situation before a human with little or no control over their situation. Human nature, I suppose.

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:30 pm 
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NYC? Another deserted city of the future.
Some wimp asking what to do about a homeless man and his cruelly treated dog?
Big Friggin' Deal!!!! :x

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:17 am 
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It doesnot matter whether an animal belongs to a homeless person or to one of those celebrities to whom it seems to me they are just as much as a prop (unfortunately, now being replaced by babies, at least by celebrities), you are not allowed to inflict cruelty as seesm to be the case, from your description. Look for support - is there a police man? And you can always, politely, raise your voice and ask whether he knows his dog seems in pain? Make enough of a fuss to get other bystanders involved for support if you can. But then again, in New York....


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