Called my neighbour to tell her that her large, young female GSD was loose on the trail again and had followed me a long ways down it and disappeared into the subdivison.  I usually go back the same way I started but used the subdivision this time because her dog is getting more and more used to me and my older Lab and I was afraid to go back by the dog's own house.  The GSD seems to be completely unsocialized with people or dogs but I believe it wants to play with my older Lab, who has a sore back, and I cannot have it jumping on her. 

The poor GSD has toenails an inch long, does not react to its name, even when it's own people call it and what I thought was a sporty Christmas wrap on her neck turned out to be a ratty old red nylon collar that is badly frayed. 

Since my call to the dog's owner I have discovered other neighbours are having trouble with it too.  One neighbour has threatened to shoot it and another is throwing big sticks at it to keep it away from their little dogs.  Doesn't seem to bother the owners because they still let it run loose, though they say it escapes it's kennel.

To top it all off the nitwit owner asked if I would help her find a home for the most wonderfully loving and friendly kitten she has because the GSD is mauling it.  I had found the kitten three months ago on my back deck and it jumped up on my shoulders and purred in my ear.   I would have kept him in an instant if I didn't already have three, very jealous, cats.  But we found the owner and gave him back.  She didn't know he was litter trained, didn't know her GSD was going down the trail (that was the first time I told her), didn't know her little poodle was going down the trail on it's own either.  Now the kitten is nine months old and she has the nerve to ask me if I know of a home for him.  Some people.  They have horses too, I wonder if they are as ignorant about them as they are about their dogs and cats.

Ah i really feel sorry for the GSD,Poodle and the kitten.  Your neighbour wont shout it will they? or throw sticks at it. Can't you report this woman those animals really dont need to be going through this.  What a shame, they are suffering at the owner's ignorance or lack of care.

Warm regards Susan

Why not report to the DOG WARDEN ?  having to pay to gat back their dogs might make them shape up ;) and the Warden will also point out how cruel inch long nails are ;)  they might also give advise on other aspects of care which are being neglected ;)

If I see the GSD out loose again I will call the OSPCA.  In my area they will only react if the dog is in danger and generally request that the caller catch it themselves somehow, first.  I'm worried about it hurting my dog and getting lost itself. 

Hi, Jetstone.. i was researching something earlier and i came upon these facts:

The Animal Welfare Service:
Responds to all complaints as soon as possible.
Responds urgently to sightings of stray dogs on school premises or interfering with traffic.
Collects all strays and keeps them safely for a maximum of seven days for collection by the owner (subject to the payment of a fee). 
Promotes responsible dog ownership through talks to Primary schools and other groups.
Provides supplies of "doggy bags" to dog owners. for a small fee
Enforces dog-related by-laws and the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
Microchips dogs in promotion of responsible ownership (ask about our promotional events).
Hires out and sells anti-barking collars and consumables
Hires out dog transporter cages (e.g. for holidays and visiting friends)

Also, if the dog does not collard with id, they can fine the owner...  There is suppose to be an animal welfar service in every area... hope that helps.

Jetstone lives in Canada :)

Vodaberry. thank you so much for that great answer.  I apologise for not saying where I live sooner.

Our local OSPCA was criticized in our local paper some years ago for not respondings to complaints and concerns about a large dog menacing people, dogs and even children as they walked to school.  After the fact they did then follow the dog to determine where it lived and had a talk with the owners.  But generally they ask people who complain about loose animals to catch the animal themselves and keep it in a garage or yard till they can come to pick it up.

Even posing a call to them as a concern for the animal's welfare does not work as I tried that one time only to be told that the dog in question was quietly lying in it's front yard.  Except it was in MY front yard and I was twice prevented from leaving my yard by that dog.

This is a different dog from the two above and I am concerned that "here we go again."  So far so good though, as I did not see it the last two times I was out.  The OH encountered it once and saw it nearly get hit by a snowmobile.  Dumb owners.  I have a couple of people to call about a home for the kitten.  For a neglected little cat left on his own in their garage he is remarkably friendly and loving.  Probably starving for affection.