Is it cruel to keep a dog tied outside for hours?

[Marymanna]

Is it cruel to tie a dog up outside of your front door for hours every day? I have a friend who does this as he says the dog likes it and doesnt like being in the house. I've never known anyone else do this and it seems kind of cruel to me.

He says his neighbours complain if he lets the dog in the garden because she barks and but she also doesn't like being kept inside. He does take her for walks but every time Ive gone to visit him the dog is sat tied to the front door on a fairly short lead.

It's actually really bugging me and Im starting to question the friendship/his character. But not sure if this is a normal thing to do?

Of course it’s cruel! Poor dog ☹️

I’d say yes definitely cruel but the useless RSPCA would say; Why is it tied up? Short lead then yes it’s cruel as the dog might not be able to go to the toilet away from where it’s tied up?

Does it have water and shelter from weather? If it doesn’t then it’s cruel.

Why can’t they leave the door open and the dog can choose?

No dog lover would do this. It’s cruel especially in this heat. Needs reporting for cruelty.

Tied up how? I sometimes put my dog in the front garden on her stake as she likes sitting watching the world go by. I’m always at home though and have sight of her. Not in the current heat though.

It's quite a short lead. I don't know what he does about her needing the toilet. She has a bowl of water and is in the shade. She just always looks really sad and bored to me.

She's a big dog and a bit of a handful so I think he just finds it easier to leave her outside.

Ask him if he would like to be tied up outside all the time.
No ? Oh i wonder why ?

Yes it is cruel because the lead is short and because the dog spends most of its time there. Where does the dog sleep?

If she has shade I would say it’s ok in normal weather. I’m not sure how you can say the dog is bored or sad. When mine is out the front she lies and watches and sniffs the world going by.

S'cuse my language, but if he's going to leave it tied up outside all day, what the actual fuck is the point in him having a pet dog in the first place?

Wondering what i should say to him. Is there any official advice about this, like from the RSPCA?

Lots of breeds prefer being outside to inside but there’s a difference between leaving them in a secure garden and restricting them with a lead.

Our dog was on a 4m long chain pegged into the lawn back in the 80s. She had food, water, shelter, toys and her bone to chew. It was because she was a bugger for digging under the fences if left free in the garden, but much preferred outside to inside.

I still think it was one of those "acceptable in the 80s" things and wouldn't chain a dog up now.

"Tethering or restraining dogs - we believe that dogs should not be tethered or chained, except for very short periods, as restraining a dog in this way can lead to injuries and also restrict normal behaviour, which can be very damaging to the dog's wellbeing."

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/environment/livingoutside

Thank you! Not sure how he will react though...