In wanting to speak to my friend who never walks her dogs....

[Nippysnippy]

my friend has taken on two massive dogs from the time they were puppies. These are a crossbreed. Not sure which but they are truely massive. She lives in a house with a small garden but never walks them. They fight a bit and I am worried that without exercise they may turn on her children. One had already nipped a child on the arm. I have dodged sending my child over to play since.
One of them has developed a problem with it's legs, which may well be down to the lack of exercise as she was told the dog wasn't born with the condition. I said that she should seek advice on how much walking it now required as dogs 'need a lot especially at their size'. Not exactly subtle. She changed the subject. I also offered to help her take the dogs out by a river route that is 3 mins walk from us. She doesn't know it's location!
My friend is currently unemployed and hasn't worked for about 15 years.
As a minor issue she lets weeds grow up to about 2-3ft in her front garden which is all gravel. It's a ten minute job every couple of weeks but she won't do it simply saying she hates gardening. Fair enough, but it is an eyesore and they are over my drive from hers. Nobody else struggles to keep on top of it.
So what do I do if anything? I don't want to fall out with her but I'm finding it hard to keep a check on it. She is fundamentally idle but has lovely other qualities.

[LadyClariceCannockMonty]

YANBU. Poor dogs. Could you turn up, or arrange to come over, and say 'We're going out for a walk ? I bet the dogs would like the exercise?' Then it's like you're spending time with her. Maybe if it worked out you could arrange to do it again, and then remark on how they are really big dogs and need exercise.

On the flipside, does she possibly have any health or mobility issues you don't know about that could make it impossible or embarrassing to go out walking?

And, sorry, YABU about the garden weeds.

[kelly2000]

Suggest she walks them with you, if she keeps refusing to walk them call the RSPCA. You would not neglect children like that so why dogs.

[Nippysnippy]

Sorry I have posted this twice. Thank- you for your responses. Def food for thought. LadyClarice- no mobility issue what so ever.

[unpa1dcar3r]

Doubt the RSPCA would do anything. They wouldn't consider them mistreated because they are not walked (My neighbour had his old dog tied up down the bottom of a very lon g garden day n night, all yr round, never walked etc, the RSPCA didn't wanna know as it was fed and watered)
It's so sad for the dogs but other than offering to walk them for her or with her I don't think you can do much (unless one turns of course)
She's just a lazy mare who should never have got them.
I have been lumbered with 2 springer spaniels! Now anyone who knows these dogs knows exactly what lunatics they are and how much energy, but despite an incredibly stressful and busy life i take them out every day pain the arse that it is for long walks to burn it off or they'd be even
more mental lively than they already are.

[RantyMcRantpants]

Call the RSPCA. Those poor animals.

[Ephiny]

What did she say when you offered to take the dogs out? Do you know what the leg problem is - has she been to the vet? Are the dogs overweight?

Wouldn't be bothered about the weedy garden myself (you should see the state of mine!) but the dog thing is not right. Unfortunately it's probably true that the RSPCA wouldn't be interested...

[Birdsgottafly]

If they are not being walked then they will get more aggressive.

Tell her that she needs to walk them (with or without you) or it is cruel. If she won't then report everything to the RSPCA including the fighting and health problems, if they visit, it may shock her into caring for them.

The RSPCA varies area to area.

She must be either depressed or lazy.

[mewantcookiesmenocanwait]

Please report her to the RSPCA. I agree that they're unlikely to take it very seriously, but perhaps they could call or send her a letter saying concerns have been expressed or something.

I had a friend at school whose family had two large, never-walked dogs because the family were all bone idle. The dogs got more and more aggressive, until one day they broke through the fence from their back yard into next door, and ripped apart the little yappy dog that lived there. They were put down after that. Thank god it wasn't a child.

[Nippysnippy]

Thank- you everyone who has taken the time to reply. I am going to speak to her tomorrow. I will firstly make the offer to walk the dogs with her but if I get the same excuses I am going to be straight with her. Wish me luck!