Neighbors killed their dog... How you can stop this to be happening legally?

The rednecks who live behind me have a golden retriever who they evidently hate. They keep him on a short leash and leave him chained out there with no regard to the weather. He's out there in the hail storm, in the 110 degree weather. They never play with him, he's not allowed in the house with their other small dog. The dog barks all the time and whines because he wants some attention. Today the poor dog was found hung by his collar off of the back porch. Animal control says they can't do anything about it since there were no previous calls of cruelty. So, I feel pretty guilty that this poor dog is dead and maybe I could have prevented it had I called twice before like I wanted to. My family said don't make a stink, let's not make war with the neighbors. But, moral of the story is, next time I'm calling and you should too. You see animal abuse and neglect don't hesitate to call it in. My redneck neighbors killed their dog (house, living, legally) - Colorado (CO) - City-Data Forum

My question is:

Is it true that the animal control can't do anything about it since there were no previous calls of cruelty. What is the actual law about animal abuse in the United States? How can you stop this cruel behavior of your neighbor?

Thank you very much for any advice on this topic.

Anna K

You have to push them to act in some cases. You can yourself file a complaint or even a police report for animal cruelty.

An officer will investigate and if they determine that the people were acting unreasonably or cruelly, they will charge them with a crime.

You can push the issue both at the Animal Control center AND at the local police.

And if need be you can go directly to the local District Attorney.

[polo]

Have you tried contacting the ASPCA? (i dunno if that's the same 'animal control' you refer to - i'm from england) the equivalent over here is RSPCA - I don't know facts, but from what I gather - if an owner is mistreating their pet then the rspca will either take the animal away or if the owner is willing to change, they will closely monitor them to make sure they are keeping to their word. There was a huge case over here a while back about horses being neglected, the 'amersham horses' which i believe the RSPCA were involved in and took the owner to court and he's been jailed - I don't know exactly what legal powers the RSPCA have but it seems they have some sway in banning people from ever owning animals again and court cases and such.. I'm guessing the ASPCA as the american counterpart, will have similar authority and influence...
As your neighbours have another dog it might be worth talking to someone from the ASPCA, telling them about the retriever and voicing concerns that they might have other animals that they'll abuse.

Poor dog - if they didn't want it they could have just taken it to a rehoming shelter - there's no reason or excuse to treat another living being like that.