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AIBU?

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Original poster

Next door neighbour's dog left alone while she's on holiday.

90 replies

DoggyDilemma · 11/10/2017 17:21

I've lived here for 5 months and this is the second time it's happened. The first time I got other neighbour to ring her and turned out a family member was meant to be looking after dog when they got back from their holiday that evening but their flight had been delayed. He turned up an hour later. The dog had been alone most of the day at this point. The dog is quite anxious anyway and was howling incessantly Sad. So much so that the guy from the house in front (back to back terrace) came round because his baby couldn't sleep due to the noise.

Skip to today. Noticed yesterday that she wasn't around. Have heard the dog howling on and off. Her mum comes once a day, takes him to the green opposite for maximum 3-4 mins then leaves. She appears to be leaving the house with full poo bags as well 😷. Have noticed a friend popping by as well in the evenings and she seems to stay a bit longer but there are stretches of many hours in between these visits and the dog is audibly distressed.

Asked other neighbour and turns out she's gone abroad. I don't know yet how long for.

As a dog owner myself the idea of going on holiday and leaving Ddog in my house is unfathomable.

Am I overreacting and/or being a busybody? I don't want to cause bad feeling as we will most likely be neighbours for a long time and we get on fine at the minute. She knows I'm a sahm with a dog so why not ask me if I'd be willing to help?

I'm out at the minute but planned to get her number from other neighbour when I get home and text her asking if I can do anything to help (other neighbour has a key but she hasn't asked him to help either) as in check on dog/walk him/just spend some time with him. Would that be out of order?

Ultimately my concern is the poor dog. The noise he's making is so so painful to listen to Sad.

Advice really welcome.

OP posts:
Chattymummyhere · 11/10/2017 20:58

Ours stay at home with family going in four times a day for at least an hour each time.

Our dogs wouldn't do well in kennels, we also leave a key with a neighbour who has our number and knows my parents should the dogs sound distressed but they have never had to ring yet.

We return the favour with my parents dogs when they go away and with our neighbours.

The rspca won't care as long as the dog is fed/watered and not ill.

thecakefairy · 11/10/2017 21:01

I had the same with ex-neighbour.
Went abroad for 2 weeks and left a dog.
It yapped constantly all day and all night.
Someone popped in for a few minutes every now and then.
I called RSPCA who wouldn't come but local council dog warden did and checked up on the situation.
I also told the housing association of the person and found he didn't have permission to keep a dog there anyway and was banned from having it there.
Shows what a useless shower he was all round really.
It's a vote for the dog warden from me.

TheNoodlesIncident · 11/10/2017 21:04

To be fair to the RSPCA, they cannot act unless the people responsible are actually breaking the law. If the law currently doesn't include animals' mental welfare - i.e. a gregarious species like dogs being left alone for long periods - then there's nothing they can do, if other needs such as food and water are being met.

It's rubbish but the law needs to be changed to take cognisance of dogs' need for company, with maximum periods of solitude being set.

Ohyesiam · 11/10/2017 21:04

The dog is distressed, so it's obviously not acceptable.
Call the RSPCA
And Just for context, I'm no dog lover, so this is not a knee jerk sentiment. But no living thing should be left to suffer.

Topseyt · 11/10/2017 21:12

Yes to calling the RSPCA, and lets hope that they respond because they can sometimes be a bit patchy with it.

I would suggest that you also contact your local council's Animal Warden. They are very hot on enforcement of the law for the welfare of local dogs.

Disgraceful behaviour on the part of your neighbour. I really cannot understand people who do this. Pets are living and sentient beings.

IllegalBlonde · 11/10/2017 21:12

Utterly dumbfounded that someone would do this to an animal, even more shocked that going away and leaving a dog with just one visit a day is a 'thing' that dog walkers deal with - I would think that in their position as animal lovers they should be educating their employers! People like this are atrociously irresponsible and should not be allowed to have pets. Poor, poor dog.

Gimmeareason · 11/10/2017 21:12

Now im feeling guilty about my 2 cats!

When i go away i leave them at home and have a crazy lovely cat lady who comes to spend an hour a day with them feeding and playing. Its because the first time i went away i put them in a cattery and they seemed happier when i opted to do it this way.

Gimmeareason · 11/10/2017 21:13

Although maybe different with cats because they have each other and sleep so much

RaininSummer · 11/10/2017 21:17

Your neighbour is cruel and thoughtless. Poor dog but also poor neighbours having to listen to its distress. Try RSPCA but my experience is that they won't care much.

ladymelbourne1926 · 11/10/2017 21:25

Sadly I don’t think the RSPCA will do anything I reported a simulation situation but because someone was coming in every 24 hours and there was food, water and bedding available it wasn’t breaking the law and they didn’t do anything.
I think it is disgraceful who would leave an animal like that?! Clearly distressed.
I Have a dog and when we go away either she stays with family or I pay a vast amount of money for her to stay in a doggy hotel which she loves and where she is pampered to within an inch of her life. If you can’t afford proper care for your dog when you’re away then you can’t afford your holiday simple as that.

Ropsleybunny · 11/10/2017 21:27

RSPCA

DontTouchTheMoustache · 11/10/2017 21:32

That makes me want to cry, poor dog. In my opinion you factor the cost of kennels into the cost of your holiday if you want to go away or you go somewhwre in the uk that allows dogs, not having adequate care is abuse. If you cant afford to provide care then you simply cant afford to go on holiday.

NoSquirrels · 11/10/2017 21:33

Cats are really different to dogs, though - cats are solitary by nature, whereas dogs are pack animals. Cats are bonded to territory as much/more than their owners, so a battery is much more stressful than being at home alone with someone popping in to feed.

Dogs are bonded to people, and need company.

Fattychan123 · 11/10/2017 21:42

This is disgusting. If it was me I would break in and take the dog. It's horrible !

I'd report it and I wouldn't even feel bad for your shitty neighbour in fact I would publically shame her.
Is it a large dog ? Are they not walking it for her.
My neighbour used to leave his dog outside day and night rain or shine. That dog happened to escape one day to a nice new home 25 miles away.

Some people don't deserve the love of dogs.

mydogisthebest · 11/10/2017 22:05

I understand some dogs are not happy in kennels but it is not a choice between kennels and being left alone is it?

My dog goes to a dog sitter. He loves it there but if he didn't I would have someone stay in my house to look after him. If you can't afford a dog sitter you either shouldn't be going on holiday or you shouldn't have a dog

IllegalBlonde · 11/10/2017 23:13

Gimmeareason, don't feel guilty, your cats have each other and are happy with cat lady, this is different as dog is clearly suffering.

Mummyoflittledragon · 12/10/2017 04:57

My dog would hate kennels too. Since my first dog half starved himself when he was in kennels, I don’t use traditional kennels, where they are in individual dog pens. I have used kennels, where the dogs are together in groups (Germany and Belgium) and doggy boarding in people’s houses in the UK. I had to drive a long way to get him there.

There is no excuse to leave your dog at home in this country as there are plenty of options.

If you have a dog, you have to tend to their needs and I’m disgusted with your neighbour. It sounds as if the dog warden would perhaps be a better option.

Fluffypinkpyjamas · 12/10/2017 05:32

Pet sitters, ours and those I know of, stay in the house. They live there for the time the owners are away! They don’t just nip in and out. They sleep there, you cannot leave a dog alone at night . They don’t go to another job because that IS their job! I would report this and when they get back, confront them. Fucking disgusting behaviour.

5rivers7hills · 12/10/2017 07:53

MIL left hers at home with visits from petsitters and family as it got so stressed in kennels last time it ripped it's own nails off so I can see for some dogs it's the lesser of two evils

No that isn’t the lesser of two evils. There are lots of better options - paying for a house/pet sitter to stay at the house, paying for home boarding if kennels. You can’t jist have a dog walker popping in.

steppemum · 12/10/2017 08:44

wow.
I am shocked to discover this is a thing.

One reason we don't have a dog is because we don't have a solution for when we are away. I cannot imagine leaving a dog all day, let alone day and night.

cats are different. We always leave ours with someone coming in to feed. Not a problem.

Laura2018 · 12/10/2017 08:50

This is so cruel! I can't stand people that get a dog and then leave it alone to cry and howl all day whilst they go to work let alone people that buggar off on holiday. Dogs are pack animals, they hate to be alone and get distressed. My ex neighbour left their dog alone all day whilst they went to work and the poor thing cryed constantly all day till they came home. People are so bloody selfish.

NearLifeExperience · 12/10/2017 09:09

Looks like you're going to have to report this to someone, OP.

It sounds like it is not an isolated incident, and probably won't be the last time either Sad

It is tricky, but dogs must have company, stimulation, affection and exercise, as well as food. If can't provide it, don't have dog.

Poor doggy.

hibbledobble · 12/10/2017 09:22

I have a dog and think this is completely unacceptable.

She could either leave the dog with a trusted friend or relative, or a dog sitter, or go on a dog friendly holiday. Leaving an animal which needs companionship alone all day is cruel, especially as it sounds like the dog's toileting needs aren't even being met.

I'm shocked anyone would think this acceptable.

I agree call the rspca.

hibbledobble · 12/10/2017 09:27

For those who admit to doing this, chattymummy surely you could leave your dogs with a friend, relative, or a dog sitter who offers boarding? Or dog swap? Or go on a dog friendly holiday? Or get someone to stay in your house and dog sit?

I really can't understand why anyone would think leaving a dog alone is acceptable.

As a teenager I used to dog sit at someone's house as their dog was blind and needed to stay in the same environment. I stayed there with the dog 24/7 and walked him.

snash12 · 12/10/2017 10:46

Stuff like this makes me so mad! Cats having someone pop in to feed them, fine - they're so much more independent than dogs.

I would never in a million years leave my dog for more than a couple of hours but we are lucky my partner works from home.

That poor dog. Report it OP.