Neighbours reported us to the RSPCA

[olebiscuitbarrel]

Here's a photo of my dog taken this morning after the man from the RSPCA had been (this is probably going to out me, hence name change)

He turned up at 9am, having had a report that our dog is always in the garden for long periods of time, he was left out in the rain and is looking 'thin with matted fur'.

After spending a couple of minutes cuddling the dog and chatting, he went away perfectly satisfied having noted that the dog was in very good condition.

The dog really loves being in our garden. He asks to go outside all the time, because it's big, there's lots for him to sniff, explore and chew and his favourite spot is lying outside the patio door, both guarding and sunbathing. He also being a retriever, loves the rain, and there are plenty of places he could shelter if he wanted to, but when I tried to call him in yesterday, he wasn't having it. He wanted to run about 'catching' it.

We back onto a field where people like to exercise their dogs so when he sees them, he sometimes woofs but always call him and then the woofing stops (it never lasts more than about a minute). We never leave him outside for long periods of time and never when we go out.

It can only be one set of neighbours who reported us, because we only have neighbours on one side, who would have been able to see the dog outside in the rain yesterday. They had previously threatened to report us a few months ago, when he found a weakness in the fence and escaped into their garden, we apologised, made good the damage and had the fence professionally mended and reinforced so that he couldn't get out again. I don't think they like dogs because after we moved in, we had the police round saying that they had reported that we had not been cleaning up after him fouling in the street (another untrue accusation, I always carry poop bags, I've had dogs for years and always been responsible).

I can understand that maybe they get irritated when he barks (although its never for more than about a minute as we stop him and never at unsociable hours) but I am really cross at the 'extremely thin with matted fur' embellishment. AIBU and should I go and say something? (Sorry for long post, don't want to drip feed)

Ha. Your neighbours would probably have a field day with me. My dog flatly refuses to come inside the house 90% of the time and as far as he's concerned, the rainier the better

Some people should keep their beaks out. Gorgeous dog OP

Here's my little shit dog

I'd just go and speak to them. Just be straight and say the RSPCA are happy it's a misunderstanding and explain your dog enjoys being outside. I'm sure they will be relieved that they've made a mistake!
I wouldn't call the RSPCA based on this but it WOULD concern me seeing a dog left out in the rain. How are they to know your dog enjoys it? The next case could be one where a dog isn't enjoying it and is locked out unhappy in the rain.

That's awful but I'm glad you had no trouble from the RSPCA as you're obviously a responsible dog owner. It may not be a neighbour though, as you say your garden backs on to a field where lots of people walk their dogs, it, sadly, could be one of them.

Your dog is gorgeous!

The picture in the mud made me laugh. We have a Collie cross who hates getting wet and muddy but I sometimes walk him with a friend who has a Retriever which finds the first muddy puddle and lies down in it. Our dog looks so bemused at him each time he does it.

Is it so terrible for a dog to be out in the fresh air all day as opposed to being stuck in the house?? (assuming it has shelter/water/food etc and the garden is secure?)

we are moving soon and the new house doesnt have a utility room (as we do now so we leave it open and dog can come in and out). I was thinking nice kennel etc in garden - she would hate being in the house.

This could be our story. We just had to say goodbye to our little furry girlie after caring for her for nearly 20 years just because a neighbour took a video of her out doing her business and said she was being abused as she couldn't see and couldn't walk properly. RSPCA hounded us for 3 weeks, every week near enough kicking out front door in, and the last week peering through the window into our living room. Only person it can be is the house that looks into our garden. Thing is she was nearly 20, deaf, and yeah a bit wobbly on her pins, but it's because she was elderly. Nothing else wrong, still ate like a horse, but slept a lot. So to literally stop them hounding us we took her to the vet to give her a clean bill of health, although sadly she took a turn for the worst and vet said it was kinder to say goodbye. Broke my heart. I wish she'd passed quietly at home. RSPCA came over the next day and so we let her in (she was absolutely vile to us) and tried to persuade us that because my partner has had cancer recently that we couldn't cope with the puppy that we have. I have never felt so humiliated before. She wouldn't even look at me and when I said something she'd give me the dirtiest look ever. I'm ill otherwise I'd complain, but I now keep an eye on their window whenever I go out in the garden as they could very well be filming my little girl and her friends when they come round to play. I'm not on high alert just in case.

I have a neighbour who keeps their dog in the garden pretty much all day (and I'm up early with energetic toddler). I don't think they take it for walks though I cant be sure as I obviously don't stand by the window all the time, Just notice it looking bored whenever I pass by. I've considered reporting for a welfare check but I don't think it's at that stage to be honest, although I am worried about the dog. I know nothing of dogs so he couls be fine. I don't know the neighbour to pop over. I certainly wouldn't want to be considered 'a sick if I had reported though. Following thread with interest!

I'm not doubting you, but I am absolutely amazed that the RSPCA turned up. Were they filming a telly programme or something? 😉

*'a dick'

Mean to say "I'm on high alert..."

No its not "so terrible for a dog to be outside in fresh air". My spaniel loves a muddy puddle, she swims for ages in the sea, loves rolling in dead fish or fox shite and also loves the rain. However, she is thoroughly bored in the garden and would be distressed if I left her out in the rain. I'd expect my neighbours to report me if I was leaving her out for long periods of time soaking wet because my dog, unlike this one, would be miserable. So I can't see anything other than a small misunderstanding and lack of communication.

I get reported every year, since about 6 years ago. It's laughable. The first time the RSPCA inspector said 'She looks good for a 10 year old dog'. I am sure later this year I will be told 'She looks good fro a 16 year old dog who has had three strokes'.

It is malicious, they have also reported to me many other people, what you have to remember is, these organisations don't just swoop in on someone else's say so, they check, as they have this time. So no harm done apart from time wasted.

It really is a shame that people are as they are, vindictive, envious, miserable, oblivious - some people. Try to hang onto the fact that there are also good people out there who understand and value what it really means to love a dog. That a minute barking is nothing to complain about. They could have really cruel people next door who make the dogs life a misery, but then they probably wouldn't notice. Because they are not complaining about the mistreatment of your dog which doesn't exist, they are foolish, bored people who are only thinking of themselves. None of that lessens your anger, and I don't blame you. Think carefully about what you really want to do. What would confronting them achieve for YOU. And of course as someone has pointed out you don't know for certain it is them. Though mostly people do know,. I certainly would not be extra nice to them I would probably ignore them, that is what they deserve. Your contempt.

He looks beautiful. Sorry you had a stressful time.
We had neighbour whose dog barked all the time and growled constantly at us through our fence. We moved because we had no peace in our garden. They didn't train the dog, just swore loudly at it, which was worse than the barking.

Yes my Lab is in and out all bloody day!!!
Luckily the neighbours also have two labs that are the same! they sniff each other over the fence!
Lovely dog photos!!

I wish social services would act as quickly

He's gorgeous. Your neighbours are bonkers. Really, the british public really do piss me off sometimes!

Some people genuinely think a dog free roaming their own garden is being neglected.

And these people are allowed to vote...

This is making me want a golden retriever puppy!

We had the same thing. Our neighbours called the RSPCA and said our dog was emaciated! She's a bichon frise and is always wild and curly but we had shaved off her fur. She looked half the size!
He recommended a kennel as well even though she doesn't spend long periods outside, the longest she is out is when we're eating dinner otherwise she just sits next to the highchair and the baby feeds her
We bought a kennel anyway and I've never seen her go into the bloody thing!

No naturebabe you don't - there is a reason they are so gorgeous, it's so you don't get rid of them when they are being vile!!

Yes run round and tell your neighbours they shouldn't be a owed to vote 😂😂😂

*allowed

Hopping your poor dog looks desperate to get inside, shame on you!! OP, your neighbours are arseholes, leave them to their boring lives clearly they have nothing better to do.

Look at that poor waif like dog - obviously hugely neglected - not!

He's absolutely bloody gorgeous, he is neither thin nor fat but pretty much a perfect build and his coat looks lustrous. Your neighbours are very, very odd