answer:I used to have a big pen for my dog when I didn’t have a fenced yard at a rental. She came in at night usually and I loved her. I’ll admit it’s not ideal but as long as they walk her/love on her and feed her and she’s got a house, it’s not abusive unless it’s freezing out and it’s not heated or anything. I’ve seen dogs with collars grown into their skin, on chains 24/7 and barely fed or watered, used for breeder dogs litter after litter. Just keep an eye out and try to be judicial and impartial before you get too worked up. Does she look healthy? Is their dog poop piled up in the pen? *I’ve heard that about hunting dogs, too, but I’m not familiar enough to know if it’s true or not.