I don't consider it theft so much as saving an animal. Even if the animal is being fed, it can still lead a miserable life with no attention

Have you guys read the poem about the puppy that was a Christmas gift for a child? Then at the end it said something like all that was left in the yard was the collar on the chain? Ugh I wish I could remember exactly.

Anyway, around Christmas time we got a call at the Humane Society about a Great Dane who had been chained in these people's front yard since he was 12 weeks old. He was now 8 months old. He had been a Birthday gift for the son. He was on a short chain and couldn't reach the food or water bowls (I don't even know if there was any food or water in them anyway). He also had a Dog Igloo that he couldn't even fit in. We generally don't take animal abuse calls, they have to go to the city shelter which is Animal Control. But we are softies so two of the girls that work with me drove to the Great Dane's house one night. They took the dog off his collar and left it chained to the chain along with a copy of that Christmas poem.

This was the tallest Great Dane I have ever seen, but also the skinniest We fed him canned food and he ate like he'd never eaten before. We placed him in a home with a coworker's friend who had another Great Dane. He is now living it up and loving life.