Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to report a chained, neglected dog while on holiday?

18 replies

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 06:42

We are on holiday in the mountains and there is a dog chained up in the woods. We tried feeding the dog who is very skinny and scared and got an earful from the owners.
I don’t speak the language but can’t stop thinking about the poor dog and want to complain to police or animal welfare? Should I leave it or try and do something while I’m here? Not even sure who the best people would be to help the dog and my just, although loves dogs, thinks it will cause a lot of other problems while we’re here. What would you do?

OP posts:
Prawnlover · 01/08/2026 06:47

Where are you on holiday?

WonderingWanda · 01/08/2026 06:49

Have you googled animal welfare organisations for the country you are in? In the mountains isn't the most specific location.

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:05

We’re in Italy and yes we know the specific location

OP posts:
Prawnlover · 01/08/2026 07:07

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:05

We’re in Italy and yes we know the specific location

Absolutely no point then. Different animal welfare standards. And a holiday maker not speaking Italian versus a citizen…. Well, I don’t think you’ll even get a look in even if you did find an concerned organisation locally

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:13

Prawnlover · 01/08/2026 07:07

Absolutely no point then. Different animal welfare standards. And a holiday maker not speaking Italian versus a citizen…. Well, I don’t think you’ll even get a look in even if you did find an concerned organisation locally

That’s my worry too. That it would be pointless 😞

OP posts:
geumsun · 01/08/2026 07:18

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:13

That’s my worry too. That it would be pointless 😞

It will not be pointless. Don't be one of those useless people that stands by and does nothing.

Report it with photo. Email as many places as you can - police/rescue charities/nearest town authorities, get chatgpt to translate.

tilypu · 01/08/2026 07:19

Italy have a law against permanent chaining. If I were you I would be googling dog welfare in that specific area. I know there's national organisations for animal welfare in Italy. Best to at least try!

pinkandwhiteroses · 01/08/2026 07:20

You can report it but mountain dogs like that are pretty common in huge parts of Europe - I very much doubt anyone would be remotely interested.

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:21

geumsun · 01/08/2026 07:18

It will not be pointless. Don't be one of those useless people that stands by and does nothing.

Report it with photo. Email as many places as you can - police/rescue charities/nearest town authorities, get chatgpt to translate.

yeah I’ve done a ChatGPT letter ready to go…to who I don’t know as ChatGPT said to call the local police but it’s worth a try.

OP posts:
clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:22

tilypu · 01/08/2026 07:19

Italy have a law against permanent chaining. If I were you I would be googling dog welfare in that specific area. I know there's national organisations for animal welfare in Italy. Best to at least try!

Oh I didn’t realise that! I shall look up that law and add it to my email/call. Thank you

OP posts:
Mouldybroc · 01/08/2026 14:19

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

clickyteeclick · 02/08/2026 05:49

@Mouldybroc your comment was deleted?

OP posts:
RowsOfFlowers · 02/08/2026 06:10

Absolutely needs to be reported. Find a local animal welfare organisation or report to the police. At least you would have tried. Thank you for trying to feed. Poor dog!

HwalkingL · 02/08/2026 06:32

Have you sent the email?

Smallitch · 03/08/2026 13:53

HwalkingL · 02/08/2026 06:32

Have you sent the email?

I’d guess not

pinkandwhiteroses · 03/08/2026 13:55

clickyteeclick · 02/08/2026 05:49

@Mouldybroc your comment was deleted?

Their comments on multiple threads were deleted, I'm guessing they're a banned poster or something.

Longtimelurker1980 · 03/08/2026 13:56

clickyteeclick · 01/08/2026 07:21

yeah I’ve done a ChatGPT letter ready to go…to who I don’t know as ChatGPT said to call the local police but it’s worth a try.

Please do it. Then at least you know you have done everything you could. awful way to treat an animal, seems so bizarre that western countries don’t all have similar laws on animal
welfare.

clickyteeclick · 03/08/2026 22:14

Incase anyone’s interested…I did it. Emailed the police but not heard back but the equivalent of the rspca are going to come. She’s also a solicitor. I’m scared I’ll get caught by the owners as I needed to take videos. Plot twist I’m also going to offer to adopt her! My husband has says no but we’ll see!! Thank you to all especially the poster who told me about the law with chained dogs since last year.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page