To feel heartbroken about the treatment of neighbours dog

[hawleybits]

He's a medium sized, lovely boy, who never gets taken for a walk and can't possibly know how it feels to run and stretch his legs. They have a tiny garden and he's just let out for a sniff around and to do his business.

Today, as neighbours were leaving for a day out, he escaped the garden and ran around madly for a few moments, before he was screamed at, rounded up and locked back in the house.
He's now barking and howling and will continue to do so until they arrive home.
They're not otherwise unkind, in fact, they're very pleasant, just ambivalent towards him.
I know that reporting the neighbours will result in sweet FA, but why do people have dogs and then fail to meet their basic needs? I'm in my garden thinking I wish I could take him out, but he's not socialised with other dogs and I'm sure they wouldn't allow it on those grounds.
It's just horrible to live next to 😢

I'm not saying the OP should walk him. I'm saying she could in response her comment that "I really wish I could walk him, but quite obviously he isn't going to be good around other dogs".

I mean it would be better just to give it a go and find out. If the OP and the dog like walking one another then everyone wins and maybe the owners start developing a bit more responsibility too. Just trying to find a practical way through other than hand wringing

hawleybits If they seem ok most of the time just knock and mention it!! I never ever see any of my neighbours coming and going(apart from the one with the dog) I'm starting to think the other houses are empty.

I took a neighbour's dog out , they were elderly and didn't though he had a decent sized garden to run in, OMG after the second walk ( I thought I'd take him out now and again in dry weather) he sat with his face at the door waiting for me All Day. I ended up giving him a morning walk every day for years. Felt guilty if I was going on holiday so couldn't do it. It is a BIG commitment.

What's the point of just moaning about it and not wishing to put yourself out to try and do something?!

How can you live with yourself living next door for YEARS and hearing that poor dog cry for YEARS and not do a single proactive thing to try and change things?!

Honestly some MNers.

The whole point of a MN post is 1. to post your issue 2. to get wise MN counsel 3. TO ACT ON THAT ADVICE TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION

Otherwise what the hell op. Only you have that power and all we can do is be frustrated at all your excuses.

May be MN should have a warning icon by some posts which say "advise all you like but it will be a pointless exercise as the OP isn't going to act on it"

Then we can avoid reading, commenting and wasting our time

Our dog is never walked. Unfortunately he has epilepsy with status epilepticus which is triggered by, amongst many other things, the excitement (or perhaps the physical strain) of going for a walk.

He also has a form of cerebral palsy, which presents problems for walks too.

He will run out into the front garden when we open the door - new smells etc are fun. We herd him back in. Our neighbours may think we are total arseholes too.

However he has a nice life, he is thoroughly spoilt, there just happen to be a few things he cannot do in life for his own safety.

Talking to your neighbour about your concerns would be the best start. I would far rather my neighbour talk to me so that I could set them straight than assume.