To think this is really cruel?

[RosieGuacamosie]

My friend got a lockdown puppy last summer and is now having to go back to work in the office and is planning to leave her dog in a crate whilst she’s at work. I offered her the details of my dog Walker but at £15/day apparently that’s too expensive. I understand £75 a week is a lot of money but surely that should have been thought of at the time she got the dog?

I think it’s bad enough leaving a dog in the kitchen for 8 hours on it’s own, but to leave it in a crate seems extra cruel.

Am I being precious and the dog will actually sleep most of the time which is what everyone else seems to be saying? Friend pointed out it’s no different to leaving the dog downstairs whilst she sleeps for 8 hours.

[PurpleSunrise]

Friend pointed out it’s no different to leaving the dog downstairs whilst she sleeps for 8 hours.

But she’s doing this twice a day so some days 16 hours in a crate? 5 days a week? Poor dog. What breed?

[Soubriquet]

No it’s cruel

No different to leaving the dog downstairs whilst she sleeps...yeah. But now it’s an additional 8 hours so it’s more like the dog is being left alone for 16 hours whilst she sleeps

[PeachAzalea]

Friend pointed out it’s no different to leaving the dog downstairs whilst she sleeps for 8 hours.
So she’s actually leaving him alone for 16 hours in every 24.

Not ok

[BettyUnderswoob]

YANBU.

That’s horrific. Poor doggo.

I’d report this irresponsible twat if I were you. Being locked up all day is tantamount to cruelty.

[RosieGuacamosie]

It’s a cockerpoo I think. Who could I report to?

[KidneyBeans]

She's treating her dog like a battery chicken
Under the animal welfare act she has a legal responsibility to provide for the dog's behavioural needs
Why does she have to lock it in a crate?

[Quickchangeartiste]

Few dogs, especially when younger, are happy spending hours in a crate.
My second dog was rehomed to me, primarily because this was an unsustainable lifestyle for her, and her original family, causing behavioural issues and a lot of unhappiness.
You are right that it’s cruel but sadly, not a lot you can do about it.

[LactoseTheIntolerant]

Yes that's cruel she shouldn't have got the dog if she knew she would be returning to the office and leaving it alone all day poor thing. We have a spaniel and I think he would literally go insane if we did this to him he needs so much exercising and attention!

[RosieGuacamosie]

She seems to think the crate is it’s “safe space” and therefore it’s more likely to settle down and sleep and not whine all day. I suspect there’s an element of not wanting her house chewed too.

[Yokey]

No quality of life for that poor dog. It will be distressed and confused. Please report this neglect. Some people are selfish, unfeeling twats.

[Wavypurple]

When I was a teenager I visited a friend’s house, they kept their Staffordshire terrier in a cage for the entire time their parents were at work (around 8/9 hours). Upon my friend releasing the dog from the crate it ran and attacked me, badly. Looking back I don’t actually blame the dog, I wouldn’t be too pleased if I was kept in a crate for 8 hours a day.
Your friend is in the wrong and seriously needs to rethink this. It’s cruel and dangerous.

[4PawsGood]

She could leave the door open if she is just using it as a safe space.

[4PawsGood]

Plus it’s too long without a pee/company break.

[fruitloop2021]

So the dog will be in the crate for 16 hours a day?! That's cruel. I'd be ringing rscpa.

[DenisetheMenace]

If the crate were the dog’s “safe space” she would leave the door open and allow the poor creature to come and go as it pleased.

As I understand it, crating is not allowed in farming anymore. To force that on an intelligent animal 16 hours each day is wrong.

RSPCA.

[ThankYouHunkyJesus]

Report it to who?! Why is Mumsnet first reaction always "report it"!

[DenisetheMenace]

To the RSPCA. The clue is in the name.

[Bluntness100]

You need to call the rspca . Do it when she’s at work and rhe dog is crated. This is appalling cruelty.

[FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]

So many of us on MN said it this time last year - all the lockdown puppies will be in shelters or leading miserable lives right about now

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

I find ythe crate thing in UK weird and quite cruel in general. This is a different level and I would be rethinking the term "friend" in her case.

[FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]

Word of warning - the RSPCA are shit and will do fuck all. Well actually they might call you a few days later to ask for a monthly donation but don't expect to do anything about the dog

[flashylamp]

The RSPCA won't be interested in a dog with a indoor sleeping space and access to food and water.

'Cruelty' to animals is much more than leaving them in a crate for house at a time. While I don't agree this is acceptable, the RSPCA won't act here.

[RosieGuacamosie]

I have no doubt the rspca will do absolutely fuck all from bitter experience!

[FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]

My friend has "crate trained" (whatever that means) her lockdown mongrel cockapoo...I'm not quite sure what the benefits of this are because when he's let out he jumps up all over me, all over the sofas, jumps around the back of the sofas landing on people's heads, barks in your face if you love, chews everyone's shoes... and she will sit there saying "isn't he such a well behaved dog"

[Crankley]

A totally despicable thing to do. When did crates become a thing? Never heard of them being used until latter years.

I would report to the RSPCA. These people shouldn't be allowed to have animals.