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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours dog...again.

41 replies

WalfordEast · 16/08/2015 20:38

I made a thread a few nights ago about my neighbours dog. I'll recap:

Was dog sitting for a friend. Went out late Wednesday evening to take the dog for a walk- and neighbours dog was wandering in the lane. Now, it is a quiet country lane- but it's straight, and national speed limit so people rarely go slower than 50mph so the chance of the dog surviving if hit are zilch.

Neighbours are constantly letting the dog do this- they have electric gates that when open the dog can just wander. Either this or they keep it locked in a stable at the barks of the property where it barks. And barks. And barks. There house is surrounded by garden and a field on one side so it doesn't disturb the neighbours- but at the side of the field closest to their house their is a public footpath so you can hear the dog if you walk along it. The dog was their sons, and it apparently attacked their toddler so it went to his parents.

Anyway- found the dog. Rang the buzzer and no answer. Dog followed us home, took it back in the car THREE times and no answer on the buzzer despite the second and third times there being lights on in the upstairs of the house. On the third time I left note saying that I would take the dog back this evening where it would spend the night in my garage and if they didn't collect it at the end of the next day, I would be contacting the dog warden.

They (begrudgingly) came round about 1pm the next day. Luckily I was working from home, but their dog had kept me awake all night with it's barking. They didn't even thank me for taking the dog in. Heavy rain and storms were forecasted in our area, not to mention the fact the lane has NO street lighting and people just don't give a shit about the speed they drive at down the lane.

Now the problem- they keep letting it out, and it keeps coming to my property. Woke me up last night, took it back at 3am (this time I just rang the buzzer until they answered- I had to wait 45 minutes) and they bed grudgingly took it back, no word of thanks yet again.

Saw it wandering in the lane when I went out for groceries earlier. I just drove past. Came back and it was sat at the bottom of my drive. No answer on the buzzer this time.

So it's now back in my garage, barking it's head off. I don't want to bring it in the house because it isn't going to be its home. Harsh, perhaps but I don't have the lifestyle for the type of dog (spaniel)- they need so much exercise and I just don't have the time, or the garden space for it.

AIBU to call the RSPCA? They clearly don't give a shit about it.

OP posts:
NotReallyAPrincess · 16/08/2015 20:39

YANBU, but be prepared for the RSPCA to not do very much, particularly as you are technically housing it (and I presume giving it water etc)

Poor dog though Sad

MisForMumNotMaid · 16/08/2015 20:41

Yanbu. Call the dog warden though.

FenellaFellorick · 16/08/2015 20:42

I would call the dog warden.

Original poster
WalfordEast · 16/08/2015 21:01

I'll call the dog warden. I hope they do something because this really is the last time I'm going to do it- it's cruel for me to leave the dog locked up, but I have to. It's still bloody barking.

OP posts:
hippoesque · 16/08/2015 21:20

I have to deal with a lot of missing dogs. People tend to buck their ideas up quite quickly when they find out our dog warden charges a kennel fee for each time they have to pick up their dog. I feel your frustration though, makes you wonder why they bothered getting a pet in the first place Hmm

Kafri · 16/08/2015 21:26

In all honesty it sounds like the neighbours are wanting someone to call the warden and have the dog taken away.
Make sure you tell whoever it is that takes it about it nipping the toddler then they know not to rehome with small children. I don't think the rspca will rehome where there are children but other dogs homes do.

YouTheCat · 16/08/2015 21:28

Call 101. They're breaking the dangerous dogs act.

QuiteLikely5 · 16/08/2015 21:32

What a shame. That dog could be re homed to someone who genuinely wanted to take care of it.

You are obviously a lovely person for doing what you have been doing.

Please do call the warden or could you ask them if they actually want it? Maybe they will say no and you can offer suggestions of how they might re home it.

Letting it out on a road with that speed limit is terribly cruel. How could they do that? It's like they are willing something bad to happen

FryOneFatManic · 16/08/2015 21:54

Don't bother with the RSPCA, they'll basically tell you it's now your responsibility.

Find a local dog charity for rehoming, more likely to get a good home that way.

FreeCoffee · 16/08/2015 22:00

Can you tie the dog up to their gates or would that be cruel? It almost sounds like they want it to get killed.

I'd call the dog warden. It the meantime take photos so you have a record of what's happening. I'd also ask for the Nieghbours phone number.

Original poster
WalfordEast · 16/08/2015 22:06

Both RSPCA and dog warden have been rubbish- and told me because I'm willing to take it on to my property, they won't do anything Angry. I told a bit of a porkie and said I was moving soon and so I would be unable to- and still nothing.

I'm going to my local rescue tomorrow and talking to them. If they will take him, I'm leaving him there.

Been up to the house again- they came to the window when I rang the buzzer but wouldn't come out Angry

OP posts:
MillionToOneChances · 16/08/2015 22:11

I'd leave them a note saying that you're taking it to a rescue since they seem to be trying to get it killed by a car, and that they should come to the door next time if they want to take proper care of it themselves.

Lagoonablue · 16/08/2015 22:12

Horrible people! Can you find a rescue centre and the offer yo take the dog on their behalf? Communicate by note if necessary.

TheReluctantCountess · 16/08/2015 22:14

Take it to the rescue centre and say you found it.

JohnCusacksWife · 16/08/2015 22:15

How horrible for you and the poor dog. But will a rescue take it if it's not your dog? Unless you lie of course and say you found it straying but you might end up in hot water that way.

Am intrigued as to how they are breaking the Dangerous Dog Act as a pp stated....

FryOneFatManic · 16/08/2015 22:18

The only thing that worries me about the OP taking it to a dog centre, is that dogs are owned, and at some point there could be accusations that the dog was stolen, causing the OP some trouble.

I'd make a log of what happened and when, including the times you've buzzed and they've not answered, etc. And including the records of the calls to RSPCA and dogwarden. Just in case.

Original poster
WalfordEast · 16/08/2015 22:23

Fortunately I did think to make notes with times etc. I even got the names of the people I spoke to on the phone. Going to write a note now and leave it in their letterbox which is outside the gates. They've got 24 hours and that's it. I'm going to have to leave the poor thing alone for at least 3 hours tomorrow as I have clients I have to go and see and I can't cancel work plans as I'll loose money and potentially my clients!

OP posts:
LumelaMme · 16/08/2015 22:25

That's appalling, OP: I expect nothing else of the RSPCA but I would expect the dog warden to come and collect it. And your neighbours don't deserve to have a dog Sad

As Fry says, make a log; also call the dog warden if the dog is out again, and if they won't come, say you are concerned that the dog will cause an accident (I know I'd swerve to avoid a straying dog, which would be a bloody stupid thing to do but I do it without thinking). If they still won't do anything, contact the police, explain your concerns re accident and say since no one else is prepared to do anything, you're taking the dog to the nearest rescue.

LumelaMme · 16/08/2015 22:27

Oops, x-post: sounds as if you have a plan.

Your neighbours sound incredibly neglectful. You, on the other hand, sound like a thoroughly decent, responsible and kind person.

Original poster
WalfordEast · 16/08/2015 22:38

And now I'm sat in the garage with him rolling a ball about and he's worming his way into my heart. But I know I can't keep him Sad

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 16/08/2015 22:48

Seriously, call 101. Explain that the dog is not under control in public and you are worried it will cause a traffic accident if it is allowed to roam freely.

Piratespoo · 16/08/2015 22:49

Why are you taking their dog? Surely if you leave it, they'll go and get it? They might be wondering why someone keeps nicking their dog! And waking them up!

BastardGoDarkly · 16/08/2015 22:54

Are you reading the same thread Pirate ? Hmm

Original poster
WalfordEast · 16/08/2015 22:55

Because they clearly don't care, Pirate. If you care about your dog- would you leave it on a country lane, with no street lighting, where people drive at 50mph+ at 1am when heavy rain and storms are forecast? I hope you wouldn't.

They obviously took it back in to live in the stable for a few days as it didn't turn up again until yesterday- but that's what seems to happen. It will spend a few days locked up, and then you will drive down the lane and you will see it wandering on the road at all times. They both work- and it's sometimes out in the middle of the day so they clearly leave it out for long periods of time without really giving a shit.

OP posts:
MidniteScribbler · 16/08/2015 23:12

If the ranger won't pick it up because you have, then you need to tie the dog to their front gate every time and then call the RSPCA and the ranger and say that there is a dog tied to the front gate with no shelter or water. Harsh, but it might be the only way to get something done.

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