Unfortunately more times then I can count. The worst case was when I lived in Moncton, NB when I was about 10yrs old. There was a man that lived behind us that had two Shepherd crosses. He would go out on a daily basis and beat them with a two by four. He would starve them and kick them. These dogs had such bad ijuries that sometimes they could barely move. No one ever did or said anything to the man. I felt so bad for them that I would sit next to the fence with any food I could find and just talk to them and toss the food to them. Took several months before tehy would come near the fence and even longer before I could reach through and pet them. But I ended up being able to do it. Sadly one day they got out and attacked some kids. The owner was chasing them up the street when I came around ht ecorner and caught them. They had no problem sitting and wagging their tail for me. But because they had badly biten the kids they were taken away and put down. I was not sad to see them taken away from him. I was sad that they had to be put down. But now I understand that it was the only way for these two after what they had done to the children. They just were not safe.
Nicole