I am familar with those frustrations. I have been in many similar situations here.

It is indeed frustrating when we see and know very well that the "shelter" is not sheltering in any meaningful way ... yet the law calls it shelter. Here, a barrel lying on it's side in the snow is "shelter."

However ... no water is no water. And no food is no food.

A good place to start is by taking pictures of the dog with no water and no food, and make sure the camera has a date and time stamp that shows up on the photos. Take a picture every hour for days or weeks. Obviously, you'll want a telephoto lens, so you don't get caught.

If the authorities won't cooperate, go to the media. Take your pictures, video tape, witness statements, whatever. If your local paper won't touch it, go to the next largest town. I got the television station in Salt Lake City, Utah to cover a story 100 miles away in Wyoming once. Keep trying. A squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Or .... offer to buy the dog from him. Do not imply in any way that he is taking bad care of the dog. Be nothing but friendly and nice. Say that your grandmother had a dog that looked JUST like Snowball, and sadly, her dog died last week. Granny is simply heartbroken and beside herself ... won't eat, can't sleep ... she's getting a little senile, doncha know? Misses her dog TERRIBLY!!! Offer to buy his dog for $50, $100, whatever it takes ... so you can give him to your poor grieving Grandma. Offer this on a Friday ... he'll be more likely to want money with the weekend coming up.

Good luck.