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Original poster

What to do with a 'found' dog that's clearly been neglected?

80 replies

Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 16:45

Friend and I found a dog wandering the road a few miles away from where my friend lives. No collar, a bit timid at first but then super friendly. Took the dog back to my friend's (who has two dogs already...so not ideal but getting on okay).
The dog is gorgeous, a bitch, seems young as she is very playful (playing a lot with friend's younger dog who is almost 11 months old and also a bitch). Also picked up dog rope toy. Jumps up on the sofa and snuggles in. Drank lots of water but refused food. Has peed three times in the house, thankfully not on carpet. Friend has taken her for a walk and said she walks well on the lead.
Little dog ate a bit of dog sausage treat so maybe just fussy. Doesn't appear to be underweight, teeth seem good. The problem is that she is severely matted from half way down her back to the tail, backside and underbelly, and back legs. Oddly, no matting on head, front legs and chest... It's like the front end is one dog and the back end is another dog! There is also a 'greasy' are in the middle of her back which, strangely, smells like she's been sprayed with air freshener or something! No visible fleas but seems itchy...possibly the matted areas bothering her.
My friend probably can't keep her and neither can I :( But, if we take her to a vet and she is chipped we are both more than reluctant to hand her back over to whoever let the poor thing get into this state. I don't think this is something that has happened to her in the course of being lost... The matted parts are just too established.
Friend and I have called a groomer and explained the situation. She has kindly said she will shave her on after the BH. We have asked her if she can bag the matted fur she cuts off so my friend can present it to his vet when he takes her to get checked for a microchip...
Would love some advice on what to do, especially if she is chipped. I can't bear the thought of her going back to a life of neglect :( She is a beautiful little Shih Tzu with a lot of years ahead of her, I'm guessing.
Whether to contact the RSPCA (because of the neglect)...though I know they get a bad rap on here.. Or give her to Dogs' Trust or contact local charities for help?
Can anyone offer any advice? She is adorable and I want the best for her. Friend has agreed to keep her over the BH, get her shaved and take it from there...
Thanks!

OP posts:
Dazedandconfused10 · 29/08/2021 16:46

The vet needs to see the condition the dog is currently in. Then they make the call.

Hellocatshome · 29/08/2021 16:47

You have to take her to the vet/animal rescue to get scanned otherwise you have stolen someone's dog. Explain your concerns to them but unfortunately that is all you can do.

MrsRobbieHart · 29/08/2021 16:49

Don’t get it clipped before the vet sees it. Vet needs to assess the condition in its entirety.

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Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 16:49

My friend already cut some 'clumps' off (which he's kept and bagged). He gave up because there are so many and they are so close to the skin. So vet's before groomer's? I just wanted to get her out of any pain or discomfort she is in asap but maybe your recommendation is better... Thanks.
Ps. When you say the vet makes the call, would they let my friend keep her till a course of action is decided upon. I really don't want her to end up in RSPCA kennels or something :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 16:51

Hellocatshome Thanks. She was wandering the streets, matted and wearing no ID/ collar. Is it still theft? I thought it was illegal not to have a tag on your dog with details of address/ phone number of owner.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 29/08/2021 16:52

It depends where you take it, if they have space, if they have an animal rescue they usually use for such things etc. Either way there isn't really anything for you to decide here you have to take the dog to a vet or a rescue as soon as you reasonably can otherwise you have stolen someone's dog. Dogs are property as far as the law is concerned you can't decide wether you want to hand it in or not you have to.

MyGirlDaisy · 29/08/2021 16:53

I think legally you must report a found dog to your local dog warden. They might come out and check if the dog is chipped, I might be wrong but if the dog isn’t being properly cared for they might hold on to her anyway. Also, this dog could have been stolen and there might be a owner desperate for her to come home. Sorry, but I do think you need to report it.

Hellocatshome · 29/08/2021 16:53

I thought it was illegal not to have a tag on your dog with details of address/ phone number of owner.

Just because it is illegal not to have ID on the dog doesn't make it legal for you to keep the dog. 2 wrongs don't make a right.

maryandhersheep · 29/08/2021 16:54

It's somebody else's dog... you don't know the reasons for the fur being like that or how long she's been lost for? You need to call the vet, let them asses and deal with it. It's not your decision to make.

CatchThatCat · 29/08/2021 16:55

I would be so upset if someone held onto my dog over the bank holiday! Do remember whatever its coat condition this isn’t your dog and I would definitely take it to the vet for ID and advice asap in the first instance .
I know you mean really well which is lovely but someone out there could be in a huge panic . Hopefully they will be told to look after her coat carefully too

Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 16:56

Hellocatshome Thanks. Do you know if the dog would be reunited with an owner who let her get into such a state. It's a clear case of neglect.
Can we find a new owner for her if we do all we reasonably can to find out who owns her? What if she has no chip and can't be traced? Do we have to hand her over to the vet, RSPCA or dog warden even if there is no way of identifying the dog or where she came from? Thanks. I'm honestly so angry... I wish I could give the so-called owner a piece of my mind. Neglect/ animal cruelty makes my blood boil.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 16:57

Catchthecat Where will we get her scanned on a Sunday at 5pm? Vet's are closed...

OP posts:
Spudlet · 29/08/2021 16:57

She could have been stolen - there was a dog found recently after being stolen a number of months previously. She may also need to be sedated for a groom if the matts are that bad. So, the vet is the correct place to go, followed potentially by the RSPCA.

maryandhersheep · 29/08/2021 16:59

@Bettyhatesavocados

Catchthecat Where will we get her scanned on a Sunday at 5pm? Vet's are closed...
Emergency vets are open
Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 16:59

Catchthecat Thanks, btw. We are treating her very well but I get your point.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 29/08/2021 17:00

It may be a case of neglect but you have no idea how the neglect has occurred. Is the dog with an elderly or somehow vulnerable owner who just needs support to make sure the dog is properly cares for? Has she been stolen and escaped/released? Has she been dumped by some heartless fucker who abused her? You have absolutely no idea you are not judge, jury and executioner. There are many animal charities around who specialise in rehousing dogs whose owner cant be found why do you think you can do a better job?

I'm sure you mean well and I dont mean to sound harsh but really your responsibility is to take the dog to a vet/rescue/dog warden after that the dog is their responsibility and they will do what is needed.

Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 17:01

Thanks Spudlet and maryandhersheep

OP posts:
BillMasheen · 29/08/2021 17:03

Before you start winding yourself up over neglectful owners, do,bear in mind she may have been stolen then abandoned by the thieves.

Happened to my neighbours. Their bitch was stolen, she was found months later Wandering the streets of a city 100 miles away in a right state..

Police think she was stolen to breed from, and abandoned when she failed to carry a litter.

Gertie75 · 29/08/2021 17:05

I'm a groomer and have a lot of customers who adore their dogs but are pretty rubbish at maintaining their fur and so bring them in every few months to be clipped off.

The fact she's itchy and greasy on her back indicates she may have a skin problem and the smell could be from some topical treatment.

It's highly likely there is a distraught owner out there and your friend shouldn't be keeping her over the bank holiday, you could call the rspca for peace of mind but you really shouldn't keep someone's pet without knowing the full story.

BillMasheen · 29/08/2021 17:05

I will add that she was a very much loved pet, and the family were devastated when she was stolen.

Original poster
Bettyhatesavocados · 29/08/2021 17:05

Hellocatshome Thanks. I know you are right but being a dog lover it's hard to get my head around the condition the dog is in. I'm not saying I'm better able to rehome the dog. I just know rescues are getting fuller and fuller and she doesn't seem like the kind of dog who would cope with kennels. I have said neither of us can keep her but, vulnerable or not, I wouldn't want her to go back to someone who clearly cannot or will not care for her :(

OP posts:
HarrietSchulenberg · 29/08/2021 17:06

The dog needs to be seen by a vet and also scanned for a microchip. There may well be an owner looking for her, frantic with worry. She could have been stolen months ago having previously been very well looked after so please don't just assume that her rightful owner is a twat.

It was very kind of you to bring the dog home but now you need to do the right thing and hand her in. You can leave your details with the vet if you would be interested in rehoming her and they will be passed on to the dog warden or rescue that collects her if her owner can't be found through a microchip.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 29/08/2021 17:07

Phone the dog warden.

sjxoxo · 29/08/2021 17:08

Awww sounds like she has been loved by someone for sure or she wouldn’t be friendly and social like you say OP! I’d say approach a charity, RSPCA or Dogs trust etc- they will have vets who can look at her & see if they can find a chip etc. If theres cause for concern I think they will ask questions before just returning her. Good luck xo

CointreauVersial · 29/08/2021 17:08

It's not your call to make, OP!!