Emergency - dog in neighbouring flat in distress and police and RSPCA not responding

[antimatter]

Friend has told us that there's a dog next door who has been left most likely without food and drink. Family went away and left poor old dog who is now in distress and howling.
She suspects that nobody is visiting and now having phoned RSPCA and Police she doesn't know what to do next.
She lives in Walsall.
Police said they can't just enter that property as it is council owned.

[Couchpotato3]

Report to the council maybe and see if they can enter the flat to investigate?

[antimatter]

She lives in Bilston.

[Couchpotato3]

Friend could push some dried dog food through the letterbox as an emergency measure?

[antimatter]

I asked her if she can do that. Those people left nearly week ago and left this poor old dog behind. This is animal cruelty,

[thereinmadnesslies]

Could she put ice cubes through the letter box for liquid

[antimatter]

thank you @thereinmadnesslies
we haven't thought of ice cubes!
she already gave him some food but hard to know if he ate any

[Anasnake]

Get it all over social media

[ShovingLeopard]

How dreadful, the poor dog. Yes, council, and all over social media. Bloody RSPCA have been absolutely useless every time I have heard of an animal in distress. I'm starting to wonder what they actually do.

I think I would be tempted to 'accidentally' smash a window while throwing a cricket ball near the house if I had no joy with the above....

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

In Scotland the SSPCA would have a right of entry, even if they had to take police with them but could be different for RSPCA, not sure. I'd keep phoning them, they will have to do something eventually.
How long have they been away?

[Snowydaysarehere]

Can she knock at all the neighbours? Someone may have a spare key (?)

[antimatter]

Flat is on the first floor and the only way would be to break the door.

[antimatter]

Update - 2 more friends called and complained that maybe someone has fallen ill if this dog is so distressed.
Police arrived in 2 cars and were willing to break in. Some way they were able to trace the owner, the owner contacted somebody local who was vising dog twice a day supplying with food and water. That dog was lonely and in distress but not thirsty or hungry (perhaps not walked? soling house (not sure about that).
The guy who was feeding him took the dog for the night.
Police thank my friends for calling them (but why didn't they came first time round, I can't say).
Thanks to all of you for advice and kind words.

I am appalled at RSPCA lack of response! And the owner leaving her dog for a week alone!

[Catzpyjamas]

Given the recent prosecution of an owner whose dog was left to die in similar circumstances, I would hope the police would be more helpful here. Ask your friend to contact the council dog warden in the morning.

[Catzpyjamas]

Sorry cross post. Glad the dog is getting some attention even though it's not nearly enough.

[ShovingLeopard]

I'm glad to have an update, and that the dog is not dying of thirst, but it must have been in unbelievable distress at having been left on its own like that. What is the owner thinking!!

[antimatter]

I'l ask her to inform the dog warden about it as well. The worry is always that the neighbour will be nasty after police was called on her. I reassured her we will help her to write letters etc.

[somewhereovertherain]

We have a couple of dogs that are left and howl constantly. RSPCA said not their problem and not interested.

[antimatter]

@somewhereovertherain what does the Council says re:noise from those dogs?

[Snowydaysarehere]

In my tenancy it says I am allowed a well behaved no nuisance ddog. Maybe the council also has a pet clause? You are entitled to a peaceful existence as much as she is entitled to a ddog!! Ring them and ask!!