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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to report my neighbours about leaving their dog?

78 replies

griprequired · 12/10/2011 13:04

Neighbours have bought a pedigree puppy, looks about 6 months.

They are out at work all day and whenever I drive past it is sitting forlornly in the window.

Is that grounds for reporting them or just a bit mean?

OP posts:
mrskeithlemon · 12/10/2011 13:05

yabu.

How do you know they don't come home during the day?

None of your business

GypsyMoth · 12/10/2011 13:07

No it's not!!!

RSPCA won't do a thing! Yabu

Caz10 · 12/10/2011 13:09

I think actually yanbu, but it would pay to check first. Are you friendly with them? do you know of any dog sitters/walkers in the area? Then you could broach with, oh by the way, if you are looking for someone to help with the dog I've heard xyz is good?

DooinMeCleanin · 12/10/2011 13:09

It should be grounds for reporting them, but sadly, nothing will be done. If it barks or whines report them to the council for noise nuisance, hopefully that will encourage them to rehome the poor thing to someone who is able to provide proper care.

DogsBeastFiend · 12/10/2011 13:16

Dooin is absolutely correct.

Keep an eye on the situation, report to eenvironmental health any noise or faeces nuisance etc but sadly there is nothing which will be done by any official organisation about a report of a dog being left whilst the owners are out at work.

MothershipG · 12/10/2011 13:19

"Just a bit mean" I'm afraid Sad as long as it is being fed and kept in reasonable conditions no one would be interested.

How well do you know your neighbours? How involved do you want to get? You could say to them that you'd noticed their lovely dog and would they permit you to take it for a walk sometimes?

DaisySteiner · 12/10/2011 13:20

How do you know that nobody comes in to walk it at lunchtime? "Sitting forlornly in the window" is hardly evidence of animal cruelty!

FabbyChic · 12/10/2011 13:22

I leave my dog who is 4 whilst I go out to work, have done now for 3 weeks, he is fine.

The neighbours keep an eye out for me and the back door is open so he can get in the garden.

Apparently he doesn't make a sound, doesn't bark, doesn't whine.

If my dog was distressed he would cry, chew things, and not eat food.

Not everybody who has a dog can be at home all day.

Im out from 7.15am and get back at 5.45pm. I take him for a walk before I go to work and again as soon as I get home.

squeakytoy · 12/10/2011 13:22

My dog sits folornly looking out of the window most of the day.. and I am at home with him!

Are you sure that there is nobody going in to let him out?

smartyparts · 12/10/2011 13:24

My dog likes looking out of the window, in fact he's doing it right now. As he can't smile, a passer by might well decide he looks folorn and this would be despite his most excellent morning of haring around the heath, eating cow shit.

YABU - you don't know enough details.

misdee · 12/10/2011 13:29

ralph loves loking out of the window. he has sad puppy dog eyes as well. i keep an eye on him when he is at the window in case he spots the big ginger tom cat who teases him a lot.

SunRaysthruClouds · 12/10/2011 13:30

That's the problem with pedigree dogs - they just look forlorn. What they should have got was a cheeky happy chappy of 57 varieties.

YABU, and if everyone reported neighbours who leave their dogs to go to work the RSPCA call centres would have to be bigger and the rescue centres would be a little swamped.

Nancy66 · 12/10/2011 13:31

My neighbours leave their dogs for up to 18 hours a day - i did speak tothe RSPCA who said there's nothing they can do.

Callisto · 12/10/2011 13:38

I don't think you are unreasonable to be concerned. I don't think that people should have dogs if they are out at work all day. It is very selfish. Dogs are pack animals and don't cope well with being left on their own all day.

18 hours Nancy? Poor dogs. Have you tried a different animal charity - the RSPCA is useless ime.

CaptainNancy · 12/10/2011 13:40

So how long is it okay to leave dogs for?

for example if someone was away on holiday and a person came in once a day to feed the animal, but then it was left alone again?

Dogs have more requirement for company than cats do, don't they?

ArtVandelay · 12/10/2011 13:40

Nancy wow - bet their house smells nice Grin

If you know them well why not ask if they want someone to take it for a walk? It could be a pocket money job for an older DC or just a nice thing for you to do (and you'd get the fun of a cute puppy without the responsibility.

(Please ignore me if you are busy or important and the thought of dog-walking makes you laugh out loud Grin )

CaptainNancy · 12/10/2011 13:41

Hmm... I wonder if Nancy is the neighbour on the other side?

Shock that would be funny! (except for for the dog that is)

CaptainNancy · 12/10/2011 13:42

ancy- does the dog whine or howl at all?

Ephiny · 12/10/2011 13:43

I don't think it's right to leave a young pup for long periods, but agree it's not really a matter for the RSPCA, as long as it's being fed, watered etc. Would also make sure you have your facts right before reporting or saying anything to them. Maybe have a chat, no accusations or criticism, more like say you've noticed what a lovely puppy they have, ask if they'd like you to take him out in the day sometimes (assuming you're able and want to do that!).

A forlorn look doesn't tell you much though. My dog has the most mournful expression you can imagine sometimes, it doesn't mean he's unhappy, it's just the way his face is (big eyes, droopy mouth!). You can't always interpret dog's facial expressions the same way as humans!

mummyandpig · 12/10/2011 13:45

Yabu, the rspca are rubbish anyway. If you're worried speak to your neighbours and offer to walk it/pop in and check in on it.

ArtVandelay · 12/10/2011 13:46

CaptainNancy ? Are you a relative of Nancy66? I wouldn't leave a dog longer than 5 hours. Thats an adult dog without behaviour problems and one who can hold on for a wee. But that would be kind of an emergency. If someone could pop in every few hours or take it for a walk I might leave it all day. I once left my weimaraner overnight with someone walking her before bedtime and popping in a few times and by 7am next morning she had wee'd all over the floor and was trembling and sad. Felt terrible and never did it again. All dogs are different but just because a dog will put up with things doesn't mean it should!

RedOnion · 12/10/2011 13:46

The people who live opposite me do the same. She has two dogs. They never leave the house, ever. They haven't been walked in their lives and yes I do know this for a fact. She makes me fucking sick and isn't fit to own a sea monkey let alone two dogs.

diddl · 12/10/2011 13:46

Hve a feeling that here in Germany they shouldn´t be left for more than 4hrs & people should report it if they know about it.

fourkids · 12/10/2011 13:51

YABVU

it isn't ideal for dogs to be left alone all day while their owners are at work...but it isn't the end of the world, and many/most (I don't know the exact stats!) manage perfectly well, and are perfectly well cared for, loved, happy dogs.

TBH I think you should worry about world debt/children and animals that are actually being abused/the bank going under and losing all your money/the fact that there is no longer a certain cure for Gonorrhea/something else that is real Grin

ArtVandelay · 12/10/2011 13:52

You are probably right diddl - dog owning is a lot more regulated here anyway, apparently you have to pay tax and insurance. I know you can't have them swanning about with no lead on. I'm bringing a dog over next year so I'm trying to work it all out.

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