Brave 17-Year-Old Reported Animal Abuse But Is Now Afraid To Go To Court

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elina lee
Apr 9, 2022 5:00 PM EDT

Hello friends, we hope you are doing well. We're going to take a few minutes and shift your focus away from adorable memes to a more serious animal-related topic; animal abuse. We understand that this may be a triggering topic and perhaps one that not everyone is able to handle. But if we don't talk about it, then who will? 

We came across a Reddit thread where a 17-year old reported dog abuse just across the street from them. Judging by the context provided, this seems to be a reoccurring thing in the household. The teenager was clearly shaken by the situation, and understandably so. Reporting abuse isn't always easy, but oh how necessary! Whether it's the abuse of humans or animals, we must always use our voices and moral compasses to do the right thing. Especially, if the party being abused isn't capable of doing so themselves. What follows are replies from fellow Redditors as well as advice for going to court. 

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  • 01
    Smile - Posted by u/SnakeLuvr1 11 hours ago I just reported my neighbors for dog abuse and I could go to court as a witness. I am only 17, so I am terrified... but I feel I'm doing the right thing.
    via u/SnakeLuvr1
  • 02
    Font - I was walking my dog the other day, and my neighbors' puppy, who is always off a leash, came charging at me and my doggo barking his head off. His owner came rushing out screaming at him. She kicked him, grabbed him by the ear, shook him, and dragged him yelping across the street. I was horrified and I just stood there staring.
    via u/SnakeLuvr1
  • 03
    Font - I decided to report this since it isn't the first time I've seen them abuse their dog (though this is the worst.) After calling around several places (SPCA, animal cruelty investigators, etc.) I got in contact with my local animal control. He is having me fill out a witness statement in case I need to go to court. I feel very excited and happy that these people could be getting what they deserve... but the thought of going to court terrifies me and I don't want my neighbors to hurt me whe
    via u/SnakeLuvr1
  • 04
    Font - Does anyone have advice or encouragement? It is a hard situation, but this sweet little puppy is in danger.
    via u/SnakeLuvr1

    This is an incredibly difficult situation. Observing abuse is never easy. Speaking up takes courage, and man, do you have it! It doesn't matter whether you're 12, 17, or 35, if you have the opportunity to help someone in need, you should go for it. We hope that the puppy will be liberated and you will feel like the true hero that you are! 

  • 05
    Font - Traditional-Newt4172 · 8 hr. ago Court is scary, at 17 I would have been terrified too. The thing is you will always, always know that- for your next 8 decades that you did THE right thing. This is just an opinion, you're going to be that person who always does. That might not sound like a lot of encouragement but believe me- we NEED you to be who you are. This dog has no one else. So what, you're' just a kid ', you have a voice and the voice that can save this little scrap of life, you k
    via u/Traditional-Newt4172

    "…we NEED you to be who you are. This dog has no one else. So what, you're' just a kid ', you have a voice and the voice that can save this little scrap of life, you know?" 

    Please repeat this louder for the people in the back! Your voice matters and don't you ever let anyone take it away from you! 

  • 06
    Human body - redsamala · 4 hr. ago Court IS scary, but they'll tell you exactly what to do. You won't go into it unprepared, and you've done the right thing. Way to be mature about what you witnessed! You got this.
    via u/redsamala
  • 07
    Font - Amerlan · 11 hr. ago Fancy-Pants Belgians (Tervs) If you can, and your state allows, get video evidence of them harming their dog. Outdoor cameras run quite cheap and can be set to back up to the cloud or a drive with Bluetooth capability. You're doing the right thing, the only way to stop abuse is to report it. Ignoring the situation not only puts the dog at risk, but yourself as well. Knowing that something like that is happening right across the street is challenging mentally. You've d
    via u/Amerlan
  • 08
    Eye - arsonperson · 9 hr. ago i dont have advice just giving you a "good job!" animal abuse is so serious and you are so brave for telling ur local animal control
    via u/arsonperson
  • 09
    Font - Optimal-Soup-62 · 7 hr. ago You are doing the right thing. Ask a parent or friend to go with you. Or a couple. Your neighbors won't hurt you. Bullies are cowards.
    via u/Optimal-Soup-62
  • 10
    Human body - herrproctor 5 hr. ago That sense of morality you have - keep it forever. It is scary and it is hard, but it is a gift. It will serve you so well in future years.
    via u/herrproctor
  • 11
    Human body - Queeney3 · 5 hr. ago Never be scared of the truth and standing up for it
    via u/Queeney3
  • 12
    Font - hikehikebaby 4 hr. ago The majority of criminal cases are plead out and don't wind up in trial. Chances are you're not going to have to testify in court. But if you do, all you have to do is answer questions. Just sit there and tell the court what you saw and answer the lawyer's questions about it. Whatever happens next, you did your best. You are absolutely doing the right thing.
    via u/hikehikebaby
  • 13
    Font - ApneaAddict · 2 hr. ago You will never grow as a person if you don't do hard things. That dog needs to be taken away and given to a loving home. You're doing the right thing.
    via u/ApneaAddict
  • 14
    Font - ihateworking20 · 7 hr. ago Seeing it and proving it are two different things. You will need to make sure your story is straight. I would right it all down immediately while your memory is still fresh and have someone peer review. It wouldn't hurt to have more evidence and witnesses to collaborate to make this more concrete.
    via u/ihateworking20
  • 15
    Font - Future_History_9434 · 5 hr. ago First, good for you for speaking up for someone who can't stand up for themselves. Second, I'm an attorney who worked with kids in court. You have no reason to be afraid of court. This is a necessary step in being a citizen. Depending on your location you may not even need to go to court to testify. While I would discourage you from "getting your story straight " with your brother or other witnesses, you should sit down in writing what you recall now. Your
    via u/Future_History_9434

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abuse dogs teenager witness court Animal Abuse advice Reddit Cats animals
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