I’m a 21-year-old woman living with roommates (a married couple, 24F and 26M) who are also my landlords. They have two dogs, a puppy and an older one, and I’m concerned about how they’re being cared for. I love these dogs but constantly clean up dangerous messes like broken glass and chewed-up medicine bottles. When my roommates aren’t home, the dogs bark non-stop and even jump the fence into the neighbor’s yard. Animal control has already been called, but nothing’s changed. I’ve tried bringing it up with my roommates, but they just brush me off, saying it’s not a big deal or that they’ll deal with it later.
Neglectful owners are not taking care of the dogs. They rarely walk, their feeding schedule is all over the place, and their water bowls are often filthy. It got worse when I found blood coming from the puppy’s ear, likely due to an untreated ear infection. I told my roommates, but they didn’t take it seriously. I’m worried for the dogs and my well-being since I’m always cleaning up after them. I find it hard to confront them because of my past trauma, but I feel like I can’t ignore this anymore. What should I do?
EDIT: The dogs have been to the vet before, and my roommates act like they’re doing their best. They’ve also badmouthed the neighbors, calling them complainers, but I’ve seen the neglect firsthand.
Honestly, I would take the dogs to a rescue shelter while your roommates are out. I don’t think animal control will do anything, and those dogs are in danger if they stay there. You could also take them to a vet and register them in your name if they’ve never been to one. That way, you can surrender them as the owner or take them with you if you decide to move out. Just make sure you pay everything you owe and document it to avoid any future claims. If they come after you for the dogs, you can claim they sold them to you. Once the dogs are registered under your name, it’ll be hard for them to prove otherwise.
If you’re not comfortable with any of these options, I think the best thing for your mental health is to move out. It’s a tough situation, and the dogs might not survive without proper care. The blood from the ear doesn’t sound like a regular ear infection—it could be a sign of injury or them ingesting something harmful.
This sounds really hard, but it’s not your responsibility to take care of these dogs. You’ve already done more than most would by cleaning up after them and trying to keep them safe. If it’s affecting your well-being, it’s okay to walk away. Maybe leave an anonymous report with animal control or a local shelter, but don’t feel obligated to keep putting yourself in this situation.
I agree with @KXS, moving out might be the best option. It’s really unfair that your roommates are putting you in this situation. You’re not the dog’s owner, and it’s not on you to fix their neglect. Maybe look for a new place to live where you don’t have to deal with this level of stress.
I’ve been through a similar situation with irresponsible pet owners, and it took a toll on me emotionally. As much as you care for the dogs, it’s important to prioritize your own mental health. You can report them anonymously, but if your roommates don’t change, it may be better for you to leave.