My heart is breaking and I just had a good cry. I am writing this not so much for sympathy but for some good advice and any resources anyone might know, especially in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
The dog 3 houses down from us is black border collie. Her name is Licorice and she is THE sweetest dog. I only got to meet her yesterday. I snuck into her yard and sat with her and petted her and brought her treats. The reason I've never met her is that I have never seen her! I hear her on her line, running and yelping, but she is never out. Her family keeps her outside 24/7 and 365 days per year, rain or shine, snow or sleet, tied up to a 30 ft line. She is only 5 but is already aging up to 10 years. When Camille, our wonderful neighbor from New Zealand snuck over to take her out for a walk one night, she reported that Licorice was so winded after just a short while because she just has no cardio.
Now, her yard is nice and she does have a small doghouse for shelter. She does get fed and she does have fresh water. But she has no human contact or minimal at best. She has never played with another dog. They NEVER take her anywhere and she has never left her yard in 5 years according to Camille.
Camille says Licorice cried almost tears of joy when she has quietly gone over there to pet her, and Licorice doesn't even have one toy or one personal item in the entire yard to play with or call her own.
It is haunting me so much I didn't sleep that well last night and I was up crying. I am so heartbroken to find this out. I mean, I had heard her a lot but I assumed she went out for walks and the family (single mom/boyfriend/ young daughter) nutured her.
What can I do? Is this abuse by neglect? Her teeth looked good but her coat needs care. Can I kidnap her and take her to a new home if I can find one for her? what would you do?? Are there any services in the Northwest that anyone knows of, besides Petfinder, that I can post to? What would you do?
The dog 3 houses down from us is black border collie. Her name is Licorice and she is THE sweetest dog. I only got to meet her yesterday. I snuck into her yard and sat with her and petted her and brought her treats. The reason I've never met her is that I have never seen her! I hear her on her line, running and yelping, but she is never out. Her family keeps her outside 24/7 and 365 days per year, rain or shine, snow or sleet, tied up to a 30 ft line. She is only 5 but is already aging up to 10 years. When Camille, our wonderful neighbor from New Zealand snuck over to take her out for a walk one night, she reported that Licorice was so winded after just a short while because she just has no cardio.
Now, her yard is nice and she does have a small doghouse for shelter. She does get fed and she does have fresh water. But she has no human contact or minimal at best. She has never played with another dog. They NEVER take her anywhere and she has never left her yard in 5 years according to Camille.
Camille says Licorice cried almost tears of joy when she has quietly gone over there to pet her, and Licorice doesn't even have one toy or one personal item in the entire yard to play with or call her own.

It is haunting me so much I didn't sleep that well last night and I was up crying. I am so heartbroken to find this out. I mean, I had heard her a lot but I assumed she went out for walks and the family (single mom/boyfriend/ young daughter) nutured her.

What can I do? Is this abuse by neglect? Her teeth looked good but her coat needs care. Can I kidnap her and take her to a new home if I can find one for her? what would you do?? Are there any services in the Northwest that anyone knows of, besides Petfinder, that I can post to? What would you do?