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Original poster

NEED QUICK ADVICE! - Neighbour’s Dog Alone

87 replies

PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 09:39

My neighbour frequently stays out for the night and leaves the dog at home alone. I don’t know exactly how long for but I know for certain one evening the dog was left alone from around 7pm until around 11am the following morning.

I’ve just found out my neighbour has gone on holiday and left the dog at home! Someone is popping in, but not for very long. All I can think about is how hot it is and how there’s no airflow in the house, or if it needs to go to the toilet, or runs out of water, or even just the poor thing having no interaction, exercise or company!

Please offer some advice on whether I should do anything about this and if so, what’s the best thing to do?

Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
DrowningInSyrup · 12/07/2025 13:46

I just read all your posts. At no point did you say your neighbour went on holiday at 9.30am on Friday. At one point you say, you think they went on holiday yesterday. You've also said is it fair to leave a dog alone for a week with someone popping in just 15mins a day. You have no idea if this is the case for the upcoming week or even for today. He might come back later and spend several hours with the dog. PP is correct you are being preemptive and YABU.

If it is only 15 mins in 24hrs then call RSPCA, your posts haven't suggested that this is definitely the case though, so be prepared to back it up.

DrowningInSyrup · 12/07/2025 13:40

PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 13:31

So you think popping in for 15 mins once in 24 hours is ok?

I guess people like you (with these types of opinions) are the reason that this behaviour is happening.

Show quote history

So she went away at 9.30am yesterday? I must have missed that, as did this poster. I don't think you need to be so accusatory. This is a really unpleasant post.

Original poster
PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 13:31

Didimum · 12/07/2025 11:49

So they went on holiday yesterday and by 9:30am, when you posted, the neighbours partner has already been in to tend to the dog.

I know you’re concerned about the dog, but I think this is preemptive.

So you think popping in for 15 mins once in 24 hours is ok?

I guess people like you (with these types of opinions) are the reason that this behaviour is happening.

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 12:00

Gloriia · 12/07/2025 11:51

'It’s actually the neighbours partner popping in (they don’t live together).'
Seriously?! Why on earth doesn't thr bf/gf just stay there for a few days even if they don't live there normally 🙄.

Maybe they're at work or out somewhere for the day - it was only 9.30am when OP posted, after all.

DrowningInSyrup · 12/07/2025 11:55

So by 9.30am, someone had been in to tend to the dog, someone who is familiar with said dog. It's only midday, they may be back several times.

TweedleDumbAndTweedleDeeeeeeeee · 12/07/2025 11:55

Poor dog. It’s times like these when it would be great to find a broken door or window so you could remove the dog and look after it. How long has neighbour gone away for. The neighbour is selfish and cruel.

Gloriia · 12/07/2025 11:51

'It’s actually the neighbours partner popping in (they don’t live together).'
Seriously?! Why on earth doesn't thr bf/gf just stay there for a few days even if they don't live there normally 🙄.

Didimum · 12/07/2025 11:49

So they went on holiday yesterday and by 9:30am, when you posted, the neighbours partner has already been in to tend to the dog.

I know you’re concerned about the dog, but I think this is preemptive.

Gloriia · 12/07/2025 11:49

I'd ring the rspca, they may not be able to do anything but a welfare check may be enough for the owner to realise what they are doing is serious neglect.

As a dog owner stories like this are so awful to read. Dogs are sociable, they aren't like cats they crave company.

What's the owner like do you speak at all?

Original poster
PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 11:44

sunseasex · 12/07/2025 11:33

I look after dogs for a living. What you are describing here is fine for cats, but not for dogs.

Are you saying that the dog is only being visited ONCE a day for 15 minutes?

Do you have your neighbours phone number? You could call them and ask what provision they made for their dog, because it's only being attended to once a day. They may have paid for 4 visits a day (still not good enough) but there you go. Are you in any position to take the dog in yourself?

Currently I’m not 100% sure how many times per day they are popping in. Neighbour went on holiday yesterday I think it was. It’s actually the neighbours partner popping in (they don’t live together).

Going to go over the doorbell footage to see how many times so far they’ve gone in. But the one visit so far today was for 15 minutes only 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 11:40

DrowningInSyrup · 12/07/2025 11:26

How do you know how often the dog walker is going in and out? I assume you aren't spending 24hrs looking at their front door.

Show quote history

Ring doorbells are pretty good at these things…

so I can see what’s going on 24/7. Infact, I can tell what time the person arrives and leaves to the millisecond.

OP posts:
JustPinkFinch · 12/07/2025 11:35

Yes to pp. Ringing the neighbour and shaming them on their holiday is definitely a good plan. I am not saying that with a hint of sarcasm. Ruin their trip. Tell them you are calling the RSPCA if they get pissy.

sunseasex · 12/07/2025 11:33

I look after dogs for a living. What you are describing here is fine for cats, but not for dogs.

Are you saying that the dog is only being visited ONCE a day for 15 minutes?

Do you have your neighbours phone number? You could call them and ask what provision they made for their dog, because it's only being attended to once a day. They may have paid for 4 visits a day (still not good enough) but there you go. Are you in any position to take the dog in yourself?

JustPinkFinch · 12/07/2025 11:31

This is grim behaviour by your neighbour. I really have nothing to suggest (that is legal anyway).

Whaleandsnail6 · 12/07/2025 11:30

mindutopia · 12/07/2025 09:49

I think in this case you are overreacting. She has gotten a dog sitter by the sounds of it. Who is no doubt taking the dog out, feeding and watering it. In this heat, dogs should be indoors. Ours went out early this morning and will likely not go out again til this evening unless she tells us she needs to. 2 minutes outside and she is an overheating mess. It’s lovely and cool inside with no windows open.

Would I leave a dog overnight? Me personally no. Would I hire a dog sitter? No, because ours wouldn’t cope with some random looking after her. But I presume they are feeding and watering and caring for the dog unless you know otherwise. So no, I wouldn’t do anything unless the dog is clearly in distress. Barking, left out in the heat with no shade, etc.

I dont think op is over reacting...this is not adequate to meet a dogs needs for more than a day.

A day needs more care and attention than pop in visits to meet its needs, and I would hope that the RSPCA would act.

Even if they do not remove the dog (which they won't), I would hope they would visit the family and issue a penalty or at very least advice on appropriate level of care when away.

Op, I would ring the RSPCA and log a welfare concern for animal neglect

DrowningInSyrup · 12/07/2025 11:26

PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 09:39

My neighbour frequently stays out for the night and leaves the dog at home alone. I don’t know exactly how long for but I know for certain one evening the dog was left alone from around 7pm until around 11am the following morning.

I’ve just found out my neighbour has gone on holiday and left the dog at home! Someone is popping in, but not for very long. All I can think about is how hot it is and how there’s no airflow in the house, or if it needs to go to the toilet, or runs out of water, or even just the poor thing having no interaction, exercise or company!

Please offer some advice on whether I should do anything about this and if so, what’s the best thing to do?

Thanks in advance x

How do you know how often the dog walker is going in and out? I assume you aren't spending 24hrs looking at their front door.

WickWood · 12/07/2025 11:22

God, people are twats and never cease to amaze me. I agree that the RSPCA wouldn't do much/anything as technically the dogs physical needs are being met (food, water, shelter) but the poor babies psychological needs obviously aren't. I have no idea what I'd do so I'm not much help, but how can people be so stupid and selfish.

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 11:19

Let's hope the dog shits all over the carpets. I'd be throwing treats through the letterbox.

Original poster
PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 11:18

LeavesTrees · 12/07/2025 10:30

How do you know for sure nobody has gone in? There are 24 hours in a day, surely it’s possible someone is going in when you aren’t looking/sleeping.

My neighbour accused me of not walking my dog, but I was it’s just I don’t take my dog out at the same time every day and neighbour never looks home when I do it!

Dont make false allegations if you don’t know with 100% certainty.

@LeavesTrees Please don’t comment without actually reading the content of the post sufficiently. Because it leads to exactly this right here - accusing me of making potential false accusations when I’m not. I didn’t once say no one was popping in. And yes there may be 24 hours in a day but funnily enough smart doorbells run 24 hours a day so it’s entirely possible for me to tell with absolute certainty how long the dog is alone for.

OP posts:
Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 11:17

StMarie4me · 12/07/2025 11:11

How will she do this? Watch the house for an entire 24 hrs?

Show quote history

Well that's more than the dog owner and dog 'sitter' are doing.

StMarie4me · 12/07/2025 11:11

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:47

The OP can assess how often the visits are taking place before she discounts calling them.

Show quote history

How will she do this? Watch the house for an entire 24 hrs?

RepoTheGeriatricOpera · 12/07/2025 11:11

I know it's distressing, and your neighbours are disgusting, but, sadly this is seen as OK and nothing will be done.

If you call the RSPCA they will tell you as much, and then start calling and harassing you for money because they 'helped'.

The dog has adequate food, water and shelter and someone checking in so a health concern would be picked up.

Poor pup, especially in this weather.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 11:06

@Dangermoo I don't disagree with you, honestly, I just know from experience that the RSPCA will do absolutely jack shit, sadly.

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 11:00

PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 10:59

So as a dog owner yourself, you feel it’s acceptable to leave a dog for a full week on its own, with the occasional visit to let it outside? That isn’t a “dog sitter” to me. A dog sitter is with them all of the time/takes them in/lives in the dogs home temporarily. But this person is popping in. The most recent visit was 15 mins long.

Show quote history

How often are they popping in?

Original poster
PolarBear559 · 12/07/2025 10:59

mindutopia · 12/07/2025 09:49

I think in this case you are overreacting. She has gotten a dog sitter by the sounds of it. Who is no doubt taking the dog out, feeding and watering it. In this heat, dogs should be indoors. Ours went out early this morning and will likely not go out again til this evening unless she tells us she needs to. 2 minutes outside and she is an overheating mess. It’s lovely and cool inside with no windows open.

Would I leave a dog overnight? Me personally no. Would I hire a dog sitter? No, because ours wouldn’t cope with some random looking after her. But I presume they are feeding and watering and caring for the dog unless you know otherwise. So no, I wouldn’t do anything unless the dog is clearly in distress. Barking, left out in the heat with no shade, etc.

So as a dog owner yourself, you feel it’s acceptable to leave a dog for a full week on its own, with the occasional visit to let it outside? That isn’t a “dog sitter” to me. A dog sitter is with them all of the time/takes them in/lives in the dogs home temporarily. But this person is popping in. The most recent visit was 15 mins long.

OP posts: