Q: A friend of mine, who resides in Colorado, is going on vacation from 7/6 to 7/15 and leaving his two dogs home alone.
There’s a doggie door so they have access to the patio to go potty. He has an automatic water dispenser for them and someone will come in to feed them twice a day. They will be alone overnight. I’m concerned that the dogs will have little human contact and will be left alone for too long. Is this considered animal abandonment?
A:
Nothing you describe is criminal in nature. As long as the dogs have food, water and shelter, there is not neglect. He has not abandoned them. The legal definition of abandon under Colorado Revised Statutes is: 18-9-201 (1) "Abandon" means the leaving of an animal without adequate provisions for the animal's proper care by its owner, the person responsible for the animal's care or custody, or any other person having possession of such animal.
Two other important definitions related to your question, and why I don't agree with the other answer given to your question: (3) "Mistreatment" means every act or omission that causes or unreasonably permits the continuation of unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering. (4) "Neglect" means failure to provide food, water, protection from the elements, or other care generally considered to be normal, usual, and accepted for an animal's health and well-being consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal.
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