I think it would depend on an individual account. Perfect example is the dog in my neighbors yard. Dude cries everyday, it's a huge, 150+lb Rott, way too big and dangerous to steal (although it's crossed my mind!). It would probably chew the fuck out of my throat before I ever got it to safety, not to mention my 15lb dog it would eat for fuckin' dinner that I love if I brought it into my yard. Our city's protocol on animal abuse is waiting 10 days, seeing if it's still bitching, then calling again, then getting a letter sent to the house about it.. so yeah, hopefully the motherfucker survives that long if something serious is actually happening. IOW, they don't actually give a fuck about animals in the city. 10 days is plenty of time for an animal in extreme enough conditions to die at least twice. This dog is just in a cage everyday. It's sad as fuck. Why even have a dog if you just lock it the fuck up like that?
But would I steal it? I don't think I could for one, although it would probably be the right thing to do, as the asshole neighbors don't treat it right.. but it would probably fuck me and my other dog up.. Once I went out there and tried to get its attention n shit, just to see how it was, if it was friendly or whatever.. instantly started barking.. lol.. I don't blame it.. I'd be pissed too.. shit. But those dogs are genuinely dangerous, Idk if you've ever seen a Pitt up close but goddamn, they actually scare you. You get the feeling they could actually kill you, like you would if a Lion was walking around.. My friend had one, and it started growling at me one time! Omg! I almost pissed my pants dude, not kidding! They're really muscular animals. Try petting one if you ever get the chance, lol, it feels like they work out.
It deserves a better home though, definitely. I feel bad for it..