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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:
Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:59

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:53

I'm not sure I'd tell a random stranger about what arrangements were in place for their neighbours dog, tbh.

Of course she can monitor the situation, I'm just saying that it's not illegal to leave your dog home alone with visits and as long as it has shelter, food and water, nobody in authority will be able to do anything to intervene.

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Leaving a dog while one goes on holiday, is entirely different to leaving an independent cat. As for telling a random stranger, it's a concerned neighbour. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't even think about leaving a dog for any length of time where somebody occasionally pops in to let it out, feed it etc. It might not be illegal but it's certainly immoral. I would be liberal with the facts when calling the RSPCA. As busy as they are, a note through the tosser's door might make them think twice about being irresponsible. I kept on at the RSPCA when a former neighbour was leaving her dog out all day, chained up, in all weather, whike she worked full time. As much as I pissed them off, they did still pay the neighbour a visit.

Rubyupbeat · 12/07/2025 10:57

@BringYourOwnBullshit I am with you on this.

WhereIsMyJumper · 12/07/2025 10:57

BringYourOwnBullshit · 12/07/2025 10:31

Another stupid, stupid cunt taking ownership of a dog and not giving a flying shite about the love and attention it needs then expecting it to live like a cat.

I fucking hate these people so much.

Yep!

Rubyupbeat · 12/07/2025 10:55

That poor dog. A person popping in to feed and let the dog out is nothing in that poor dogs life. Dogs need company. He will be frightened and very lonely, let alone hot.
The RSPCA will do nothing, if he looks healthy etc... I don't know the answer.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:53

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:51

I know all about the attitude of the RSPCA. Best advice was given earlier, in catching the visitor and enquiring what provision is being made. If she's told to mind her own business, then the OP can monitor the situation.

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I'm not sure I'd tell a random stranger about what arrangements were in place for their neighbours dog, tbh.

Of course she can monitor the situation, I'm just saying that it's not illegal to leave your dog home alone with visits and as long as it has shelter, food and water, nobody in authority will be able to do anything to intervene.

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:51

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:48

I just think she'll be surprised at how disinterested they are.

People think the RSPCA have way more powers than they do.

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I know all about the attitude of the RSPCA. Best advice was given earlier, in catching the visitor and enquiring what provision is being made. If she's told to mind her own business, then the OP can monitor the situation.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:48

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:47

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

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I just think she'll be surprised at how disinterested they are.

People think the RSPCA have way more powers than they do.

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:47

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:45

I just know from experience that they won't be able to do anything about it. A dog being kept alone at home with regular visits is perfectly legal and not something the RSPCA will be even remotely interested in.

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

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:47

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:45

I would be doing everything in my power in making sure that dog wasn't being neglected. How on earth is it acceptable to make the same provision for leaving a dog, to those you'd make for a cat!

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Couldn’t agree more.

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:45

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:42

@Dangermoo Thank you.

I would be doing everything in my power in making sure that dog wasn't being neglected. How on earth is it acceptable to make the same provision for leaving a dog, to those you'd make for a cat!

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:45

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:41

It can put the OP's mind at rest. What's the point in dismissing something, before exploring it.

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I just know from experience that they won't be able to do anything about it. A dog being kept alone at home with regular visits is perfectly legal and not something the RSPCA will be even remotely interested in.

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:44

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:41

It can put the OP's mind at rest. What's the point in dismissing something, before exploring it.

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@tumblingdowntherabbithole This.

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:42

@Dangermoo Thank you.

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:41

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:35

I'm not really sure what advice you expect them to give - the dog hasn't been abandoned, someone is popping in to check on it regularly, no laws are being broken. They really won't be interested, I'm afraid.

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It can put the OP's mind at rest. What's the point in dismissing something, before exploring it.

caramac04 · 12/07/2025 10:37

Unfortunately it sounds like neighbour isn’t actually breaking the law.
She’s utterly vile for leaving her dog alone for so long. Completely unfair on the poor dog.
Some people are selfish cunts.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:35

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:33

@tumblingdowntherabbithole So I have suggested maybe just ringing them for advice.

I'm not really sure what advice you expect them to give - the dog hasn't been abandoned, someone is popping in to check on it regularly, no laws are being broken. They really won't be interested, I'm afraid.

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:35

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:30

The welfare of the dog is more important than the RSPCA's remit. It's still worth asking for their advice. What an irresponsible dog owner that is. This site is always throwing that title around, but if ever there's a call for it, it's this time.

Thank you for speaking some sense.

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:34

@BringYourOwnBullshit Well said. Totally agree.

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:33

@tumblingdowntherabbithole So I have suggested maybe just ringing them for advice.

BringYourOwnBullshit · 12/07/2025 10:31

Another stupid, stupid cunt taking ownership of a dog and not giving a flying shite about the love and attention it needs then expecting it to live like a cat.

I fucking hate these people so much.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 12/07/2025 10:31

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:27

@tumblingdowntherabbithole no laws might be being broken but is still animal cruelty.

I don't disagree, but the RSPCA can't just intervene and take animals without permission from the police. They don't have any more powers than you or I.

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.

Donotgiveashit · 12/07/2025 10:30

3rdtimeinflorida · 12/07/2025 10:29

Can I just say also, well done OP for showing concern for an animal.

Agree. Definitely try and speak to the dog sitter. X

Dangermoo · 12/07/2025 10:30

The welfare of the dog is more important than the RSPCA's remit. It's still worth asking for their advice. What an irresponsible dog owner that is. This site is always throwing that title around, but if ever there's a call for it, it's this time.

Mmhmmn · 12/07/2025 10:30

The poor thing, being left like that. The T must be deeply distressing for a social animal like a dog.
How about a call to RSPCA? anonymous or otherwise

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