"The Man" Says Artest Doesn't Feed "The Dog"

by louismg on Feb 7, 2007 7:15 AM PST in Ron-Ron

Oh Ron-Ron, why do you do these things?

While we understand that families are put under the strain of an NBA lifestyle, that spouses and significant others may be separated for weeks at a time during road trips, you're not going to get any sympathy for neglecting your dog - ever.

Now, we've learned the Placer County animal control was asked to rescue your Great Dane, after you left it in the yard, without food or water, apparently for months, as it grew sickly thin, attracting the attention of neighbors.

That is no way to be a man. That is not responsible. And some of us Kings fans who have either defended you or been on the fence during times of rumor and bad behavior can only gawk at the spectacle you have become.

This isn't about the fact you might be fined $20,000. We know you have the money. This isn't about your growing up in the projects and wanting the dog to experience the same levels of hardship you have. This is inhumane, and even for you, surprising.

Your response so far has been completely unfulfilling. You told CBS13 you "had gotten rid of all (your) dogs because (you weren't) able to take care of them." Well, it looks like you forgot one.

You left your Great Dane to starve to death while you lived the NBA lifestyle and recorded rap albums. Now, your dog, Man's best friend, is skinnier than a CD case, and is being kept alive only through the kindness of others who are bailing you out again.

This isn't a case of he said, she said. The dog isn't talking. But we can talk. And we're not happy. Feed your damn dog or don't get one in the first place.

Update: The Sacramento Bee sheds more light on the situation, as Artest says he DID have someone looking in on the dogs, and that his bulldog simply ate all of the Great Dane's food...

Artest said in his e-mail that when he left last week for a road trip, "my dog watcher was feeding both my dogs and my American bulldog dominated all the food." When he got back, Artest said, "I realized Socks lost a lot of weight. So I immediately isolated Socks in a separate room in my garage to eat and gain some weight back."

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Re: "The Man" Says Artest

Yeah, this is beyond indefensible if true. And it appears to be true.

by Tom Ziller on Feb 7, 2007 8:08 AM PST reply actions

Geez

Animal neglect/abuse is a sure way to get most people's blood boiling.

These guys all have freaking managers. All Ron would have to tell his is "I'm having trouble taking care of my dogs, can you find someone to check on him occasionally, or find him a new home?" How freaking difficult would that be?

by otis29 on Feb 7, 2007 8:38 AM PST reply actions

no excuse

You'd think millionairs could avoid this situation. He could easily pay somebody to tend to his dog. Just like Muss who could easily afford a taxi and a tow.

by KingsFan on Feb 7, 2007 8:57 AM PST reply actions

Re: "The Man" Says Artest

Another blood-boiling moment: He had kids who live with him in Loomis. These kids aren't exactly being taught how to care for other living creatures. Indefensible, indefensible, indefensible.

by Tom Ziller on Feb 7, 2007 9:00 AM PST reply actions

Re: "The Man" Says Artest

So... according to Charles Barkley, his actions are as indefensible as Kenny Thomas?

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Feb 7, 2007 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

Re: "The Man" Says Artest

Touche.

by Tom Ziller on Feb 7, 2007 9:25 AM PST up reply actions

Re: "The Man" Says Artest

NBA -- "We Care"

by dayglo on Feb 7, 2007 12:41 PM PST reply actions

Re: Update

Evidently, Ron-Ron's dog watcher isn't very good at what he does. Or he's lying to save face. You make the call.

by otis29 on Feb 7, 2007 12:59 PM PST reply actions

Re: Update

It's the bull dog's fault! It's bogarting all the food from the great dane. Ron, what are you doing with such a woossie great dane? It certainly does not fit your personality.

by KingsFan on Feb 7, 2007 2:13 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Update

I think the Great Dane is a female, which would explain her woosiness.

by dccamp on Feb 8, 2007 5:39 AM PST up reply actions

Artest pets

Dog sitters are usually people who love animals and will spend time playing with your animals. They also alert owners of care issues and are capable of seeking medical care for your pets. Why didn't the sitter take timely action before Ron came home???

This doesn't make sense unless the sitter was actually just a person hired to clean up after the animals and possibly feed them as well. No more. I would certainly agree that the Artest family as a whole should not be pet owners if they won't at least check on the health of their pets or hire a qualified sitter in their absence.

He's pesky I tell ya.

by pyro on Feb 7, 2007 2:25 PM PST reply actions

Is my dog safe?

My dog is fat. I hope that is ok. I feed him table scraps regularly, and almost every year at Halloween he manages find and eat at least a pound of chocolate (which is rumored to KILL dogs) and parts of the wrappers. He is 14yrs old, (not in dog years), doesn't hear so well anymore, and his breath is kind of foul, but I do love him.
I would hate to have one of my neighbors turn me in for not properly caring for my dog. Doesn't anyone TALK to their neighbors anymore before they call for the we-tip reward?
I see old lady's taking food out to the river and feeding the stray cats. Surely, in an upscale neighborhood such as the one Ron lives in, he has at least one neighbor that would rather see the dogs get fed, than their neighbor be fined 20 grand... maybe not. Maybe Ron is a bad neighbor, loud rap music playing, lots of tall, scary looking people around, maybe he doesn't tip the paperboy at Christmas.
I understand the uproar. I understand the seizure of the pet (kind of). Nobody wants to see anyone, or anything neglected. But, was the dog really in danger of dying? Did authorities step in, just in time, before neglect turned into a fidocide?
I might be totally wrong on this, but a hungry pet is certainly no worse than a hungry child or parent / elderly person, and that goes on all of the time. I think that the reason this animal was seized is because of who the owner is. Ron can, and will, pay the incredible fine (much more than the fine for, say, a DUI). Everyone will be happy, fans will rally around Artest, and say what a great guy he is because he accepted the consequences for his actions. The league will suspend him or take some of his $, or both (who knows, it is RON ARTEST). And everything will return to normal in Mayberry.

by dccamp on Feb 8, 2007 6:31 AM PST reply actions

Re: Is my dog safe?

According to the stories, this is not the first time this has been an issue. One of the neighbors bought a water-dispensing machine and put it out on the property for the dogs at one point.

by Tom Ziller on Feb 8, 2007 7:19 AM PST up reply actions