How tragic is this?

[mrs.chappie]

I have just read yesterday's paper, a dog ate the body of another dog (both were locked up together) because their owner deprived them of food. The second dog also died of starvation.

Their owner gave the reason as not being able to afford to feed them.

Do you think that there is ever a good enough reason for a human being to treat an animal like this?

[McMouse]

Dog eat dog. It's the world we live in.

[Nannyjillx2]

no but if we were in a plane crash and the only way to survive was to eat a dead passenger we'd probably do the same

[McMouse]

I'd eat a live passenger to survive!

[jno]

I think in a spirit of compromise you might nibble a bit of each other, McMouse

[Nannyjillx2]

I'm not nibbling any toes - I hate feet

[McMouse]

Depending on the gender of other passengers there is a lot to be said for a bit of nibbling.

[seekeerz]

No mrs.chappie there is no reason, good enough or otherwise for an owner to treat his animals in this fashion

[Nannyjillx2]

Well true - necks, nipples......

but nibbling toes always reminds me of Sarah Ferguson and that guy whose name I can't remember...

[seekeerz]

lol lots at nannyjill, yuck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[McMouse]

Good point Nanny............but that was really toe sucking. Nibbling is more about a bit of eating. Though I'm really with you on nipples and necks.

[jno]

no, I didn't answer the question because there's really only one answer. People do run out of money, but you could always try taking the dogs to Battersea (if that still exists)

[wildwood]

It is sad but it happens. We all hate rules about keeping pets but when it comes to the crunch we want to string up the neglectful owners.
I have no idea where this was but I am sure there would have been some organisation not too far away that would have taken the dogs. It is a simple matter of looking in the phone book or get info from Citizen's Advice. Of course, that actually involves some physical exertion which is foreign to some.

[Nannyjillx2]

As I said in my first post no and humans would do this to one another and I can't believe that the owner didn't realise that would happen

[smudge]

No, there is never a good enough reason to neglect dogs, or any other animal - unless of course the owners die & they are then left to fend for themselves.

Anyone falling on hard times & no longer able to keep their animals/pets, should as jno has said, in the case of dogs, contact either Battersea Dogs home, who will advise, or one of the other animal associations.

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-feature s/8/news/19255/dont-let-your-pet-feel-the-crun ch

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/what_you_can _do_if_you_are_having_trouble_affording_veteri nary_care.html

[smudge]

The second link appears to be American, but still has some ueful tips & of course if you live there.