Animal abuse and neglect in patient's home . Any advice on what I should do about this situation?

Published

Specializes in PDN, Group home,School nurse,SNF,Wellness clinic.

The patient is great and so is the family. The only issue is the patient's daughter's live in boyfriend. I caught him kicking and punching the patient's dog outside. Then the later that day I heard commotion upstairs,  the dog moving and whimpering and the bf cursing ,' sit your ***ing *** in the cage and stfu". I do not like this at all. The following day I didn't even want to show up to my shift . It just broke my spirit . He smokes weed in the patient's home and the patient is on a vent. He no respect yet the patient's daughter is in love with the loser. What's the best solution as my thoughts at this moment is to leave the case yet I don't want things to backfire on my from employer. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 11/11/2022 at 9:50 AM, Vee D said:

The patient is great and so is the family. The only issue is the patient's daughter's live in boyfriend. I caught him kicking and punching the patient's dog outside. Then the later that day I heard commotion upstairs,  the dog moving and whimpering and the bf cursing ,' sit your ***ing *** in the cage and stfu". I do not like this at all. The following day I didn't even want to show up to my shift . It just broke my spirit . He smokes weed in the patient's home and the patient is on a vent. He no respect yet the patient's daughter is in love with the loser. What's the best solution as my thoughts at this moment is to leave the case yet I don't want things to backfire on my from employer. 

It must be very distressing to hear that. It's wrong all the way around. You have every right to let your employer know that this is not acceptable. He smokes MJ and abuses animals. Imagine what this guy would do to children. I would make a police report and never go back. 

 

 

 

 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depending on where you live you may be able to report the animal abuse to directly to animal control. The county that I live in has an online form that you can submit and they contact you +/- the local police depending on what is reported. Reporting him may get the animal rehomed but unfortunately is not likely to prevent him from owning more animals even if he is prosecuted ? I agree with the other commenter about reporting the MJ smoking to your agency since that directly affects your vented patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

In most states you can file a suspected animal abuse report in much the same way as one would report to DCFS. While I beg to differ,  animals are considered property and not beings in their own right. I takes a long time for these to grind through the courts. 

As for the Marijuana use - you really have no recourse if you are in a state when MJ is fully legal. 

hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Make your employer aware of your concerns and discomfort.  

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PDN, Group home,School nurse,SNF,Wellness clinic.

Thanks everyone 

Employer aware, the boyfriend is gone and I cut down to one day a week at that home.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the update .. glad to know pup is hopefully OK now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion