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)

Gorgeous dog x

I once reported my neighbour for leaving their puppy outside ftom7-23.00 and as it grew into an adult dog, such a shame. The barking was such a disturbance and we were concerned for the dogs wellbeing. It's keeping things in perspective. Dogs barking for one minute would be an intrusion for neighbours I'm afraid

We live by a courtyard development 90% of whom are second home owners and they fuss about everything, leaves, trees, smells, the adjacent home fgs. One permanent resident left her dog most days and it did bark, but not a particular problem for me because I am around 100 yards away. Lady fusspot in the house attached to hers tried to engage me in moaning about the dog but I wouldn't get involved in their bitching.

Two weeks later, lady dog owner accosts me in the street angrily accusing me of reporting her dog barking. I told her she wanted it to be me so she could think what she liked, but the truth was a whole lot closer to home.

She then stormed to another neighbour and accused her. She came round to see me and said she knew 100% it was not me because she was at a parish council meeting when the issue of the same dog crapping in the kids playground and churchyard was raised.

Sounds pretty certain it is them but I would ignore it. They have complained too much to be taken seriously now and the only other thing they can do is go to Environmental Health so watch out for that next. Your dog is gorgeous by the way.

Dogs in the olden days were always outside kept in kennels. They want a lot because they are too hit indoors. Neighbours reported us because our car had matted fur and an odd new. Vet told us not to stress her out or bathe her as she was 18 year old moggie. Well loved, kept indoors when raining. RSPCA apologised when they saw a her food and drink bowl. Bed by door flap. Went and told neighbour off!

We had a dog lived over the back from us,it done nothing for howl for hours during the night, early morning ect, maybe I should have reported it to Rspca.

Slightly off topic here but what a lovely collection of dog photos!!

Gorgeous dog.

My dog likes to be outside all the time too, even in the rain. I have to drag him in. We have a back door in the utility room so I can leave it open, and close the utility room door so we don't all freeze.

We had a visit from the RSPCA as someone had reported us for having a rabbit in a hutch in our garage with no food, water or bedding.

It was actually an empty hutch that we hadn't got round to getting rid of and stored in the garage after my DD's guinea pig had died a couple of months previously. The officer was so rude, pretty much accused me of hiding the guinea pig from her. I offered to dig it up out of the garden so she could check but she stormed out in a huff.

We had a weird neighbour at the time who would complain about everything, and make malicious reports about everyone in our little close. It was obviously our turn

I had a neighbour who went mental when our dog barked. Dog is now dead and she says she misses his reassuring bark!
Also have had problems where I rode horse with people living in countryside but not wanting any actual animals near their property. Once riding on a tarmac side road and woman going mental at me for being on it. Apparently it was a private side road within woods. I didn't know. But couldn't honestly see the problem.

My friend had this. Her cat was a rescue who had been living wild for years so as a result he didn't like being cooped up in doors. He was always out and had a little hut in the garden for shelter. Her neighbours reported her for neglecting him so she got a visit. The inspector found no issue and said they would send a letter to the complainant to say they were satisfied the cat was loved and cared for! All these Busy body neighbours who could just ask rather than calling the rspca.

It would do my head in to live next door to a dog that I could hear barking every day, even if it was just for a couple of minutes. As a non dog lover, I just find them really annoying. I'm sure though that your neighbour embellished their story just to get the RSPCA to respond, but it's obvious from your picture that your dog is perfectly healthy & happy.

He is a lovely dog and I'm sorry that they reported you as he looks very well cared for, but a minute of barking, is actually quite a lot, at any time of the day. If this happens more than once a day, it can be annoying ( I've been there)

All these dogs are so cute! Xx

What pathetic neighbours you have!
Here is my beaten neglected dog, also in her natural habitat.

This will probably cause huge arguements. I have a black labs used to have two they are gun dogs. They get let out in the morning 7ish and let in just before dark in the evening. My dog loves being outside and wouldnt have it any other way. Come rain or shine she is outside. If that's where she is happy that's where she stays. It's not neglect it's what makes your dog happy.

This happened to us yeas ago. My dad put a poster up in our front window thanking people for their concern, that the RSPCA were fully satisfied with the animals health and also inviting anyone in for a cup of tea, some biscuits and to meet the pets

I once reported a neighbour. We lived in a flat at the time. The couple downstairs had a baby, a Rottweiler and a tiny garden which wasn't enclosed, it was completely open onto the communal parking area. Once the baby was born the poor dog was chained up outside from morning until it was brought in late at night, there was no shelter for it. On several occasions it broke free and ran away. She was such a beautiful dog and it broke my heart to see her chained up so I rang the RSPCA. I don't know what exactly was said but the dog was rehomed shortly afterwards. I hope it had a happy life afterwards.

@MadisonAvenue that's sad. Hope he's in a loving home.

What a gorgeous dog you have! I'd love to give him a bug cuddle and kiss!!

I moved our Ferrets cage into the garden one summer and I and the rspca knocking on the door that afternoon as one of my nosey neighbours had reported me. As I explained to the officer they were in the garden in a secure metal (massive) cage with a towel for shelter from the sun and they were only put out there whilst I glossed the skirting boards as I didn't want them breathing the fumes.

Oh OP I have a dog who LOVES being out. He'd literally sleep out there if I allowed him to.

I often worry about what people think!

Mine's a Maremma. Here he is as a puppy...waiting to go out!

Your dog is a beauty! I never knew that about golden retrievers liking rain ❤️

I'm having same issue with our neighbour. We have two dogs, husky that doesn't make a sound, she only "talks" in a low voice if she needs out. The other is a border collie that only barks if someone knocks our door (and then immediately stops), which is only ever the postman cause we live in a bungalow and dont get any other visitors. They've reported us to the council and police for our two dogs barking every day and night 24/7. Also reported us for having a fully stocked bar in our 8x6ft shed and having parties every night til all hours. The council lady came out to give us a warning, so I showed her the dogs were quiet and well looked after and happy. Then she wanted to see the shed, so I obliged and opened the shed. She was astonished to find 2 spare pieces of furniture and an old dartboard were the only things in the shed. No bar, no music system, no drink. She then proceeded to tell me to stop the noise after 11pm and that I should get my dogs "shock collars" to stop them barking! She was swiftly told where she could put her shock collar and told to leave. My local councillor is now dealing with the case for me. The neighbour hasn't once knocked my door to say he has any problems either. I also told the council lady the neighbours were lying and asked her how to prove it, to which she replied you can't..then made the shock collar comment ... So any other advice I would also like to hear it, thanks x

I reported our neighbours as she picks it up by its collar and slings it inside. Also is attached to a lead in garden then never walked. I really don't know why she has it. My dog is a crazed barker! Barks at anyone who dares to breath in the street. Still not as annoying as the next door dog abuser when she's going at it screaming at four am😃😃. Oh and o shaved my dog 2 weeks ago and he ran round the house! So when I Sa shaved I mean sort of shaved and I didn't dare show him a mirror he would ne depressed. Report me away he wont let the rspca man in 😃😃 your reporters are idiots your dog is obviously cared for xx

Why should you have to prove that the neighbours are lying Delectabledebs? Surely the onus is on the neighbours to prove that you are a noise disturbance

You have a lovely looking dog, who looks very happy.

It must have been very annoying to get a visit from the RSPCA. But look at it this way. Better too many 'false' reports than a neglected dog goes unreported. If your neighbours aren't dog people, they may have genuinely had concerns about your dog being outside all the time. Although I agree that the 'thin and matted' comment was over the top.