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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour's unhappy dog

70 replies

AltasCloud · 30/06/2019 12:59

First of all, I love dogs. And I have no problems with my neighbours!

They're not over friendly, we say hi if we see each other but they keep themselves to themselves.

They have two dogs, one of which has separation anxiety. I know this because he cries, howls and barks continuously when the house is empty, even with the other dog there. I know he's old, around 15, too. They are aware he has separation anxiety but unlikely to know he cries continually, I imagine.

Luckily, he is very rarely left alone and this past year I've heard him crying/howling only three or four times, and never for more than 2-3 hours.

But - I've listened to the poor dog cry for 5 hours today. The whole family must be out (their car isn't there) and no idea when they're returning.

What would you do? I feel so bad for the dog. I'd offer to dogsit but I'm a terrible pushover and I wouldn't want them to become CF and start leaving them with me all the time...

Is it none of my business?

OP posts:
TruthOnTrial · 30/06/2019 13:07

No, it is your business.

Tye neighbours need to gradually acclimatise their ddog to separation, not just bugger off wholesale for five hours flat.

The problem might be that they rarely do that. They need to do this frequently in short bursts.

If any of my ddogs were suffering i would want a report from neighbours,not matter how difficult to hear. I couldn't know if i wasn't there!

I feel for your pain, haviv to listening for hoirs to an animal in distress is distressing for you too!

BobTheFishermansWife · 30/06/2019 13:11

I'm with @TruthOnTrial, it's completely your business because short bursts little and often is so much better for a dog that suffers from separation anxiety than infrequent longer ones. And as Truth said, it's as distressing for you hearing it as it is for the dog being left.

Have you mentioned to the owners that their dog cries when they aren't there?

Original poster
AltasCloud · 30/06/2019 13:13

The poor dog is whining terribly still, just non stop.

If I had their phone number I'd call them...

Urg, the dog is 15ish now and they already know about it having separation anxiety (it has doggy dementia too) but I don't think they're interested in training. They just rarely leave it alone - but this is getting on for all day - god I hope they come back soon.

OP posts:
TruthOnTrial · 30/06/2019 13:17

If the ddog is suffering call out RSPCA.

The ddog could be having a stroke or anything at that age.

You are assuming separation anxiety based on your current knowledge, but it could be something serious.

To leave a ddog suffering this way for any reason is cruel.

RestingBitchFaced · 30/06/2019 13:24

There's nothing much you can do about it without having their number, but I would definitely tell them when they get back. Hope they get back soon

Original poster
AltasCloud · 30/06/2019 13:40

You are assuming separation anxiety based on your current knowledge

The owners told me he has separation anxiety.

To leave a ddog suffering this way for any reason is cruel

Couldn't agree more!

If the ddog is suffering call out RSPCA

The RSPCA can't force their way into the house.

OP posts:
Zaphodsotherhead · 30/06/2019 13:47

I fear, at 15 and with dementia, training really isn't going to help.

I'd mention it to them, they may have had to leave him alone unavoidably, but if he's 15 and with dementia, I don't think it will go on for too much longer (recently lost my elderly terrier whose dementia got very bad, very quickly).

DontCallMeShitley · 30/06/2019 13:48

If the ddog is suffering call out RSPCA

The RSPCA can't force their way into the house.

They might visit and leave a note, then re-visit to check though, may be enough to ensure dog gets some help.

Original poster
AltasCloud · 30/06/2019 19:02

The poor dog is still crying. He hasn't stopped. It's been alone for at least 9 hours now.

OP posts:
FredaFrogspawn · 30/06/2019 19:11

I hope your neighbours are ok. It sounds like they have never left him so long before.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/06/2019 19:13

Nine hours!
Poor soul , hasn't been out for a pee I'l bet.
He'll be cross legged Sad

They probably think he'll be fine because he has the other dog for company but as you can hear , he isn't .

Did they make provision for water,food a run in the garden?

Maybe the dog sitter has yet to turn up.
Definately need to tell them.

ilovesooty · 30/06/2019 19:15

I hope the neighbours are ok too. It's worrying.

Original poster
AltasCloud · 30/06/2019 19:17

There has been no break at all in his crying so he's probably not even stopped to have food or water. He's definitely shut in the house, hasn't been out for a pee.

God I hope they come home in the next half hour.

OP posts:
newmomof1 · 30/06/2019 19:23

Poor doggy. Maybe check with the other neighbours whether they have a contact number for your neighbours?
They may have lost track of time and have had no intention of leaving the dogs this long and hearing their dog is distressed may encourage them to come back.

nicecuppaforme · 30/06/2019 19:26

If they've never left him like that before I'd assume they must have had some sort of emergency.
I'm not too sure what you should do about it other than leave a note and possibly ask if any of your other neighbours have their number.

TeeBee · 30/06/2019 19:29

9 hours in this heat!! That is crazy. I really do think you need to talk to them about it. Why wouldn't you get a dog sitter if your dog was suffering that much?

netflixlove · 30/06/2019 19:30

9hours is unacceptable. If we know we are going out for more than 4 hours we get a dog walker round or send our pup to the dog walker for the day.

Honestly I would consider breaking in as the dog may well be suffering in the heat and have no water.

Your neighbours are fucking awful.

PeoniesarePink · 30/06/2019 19:30

Sorry but you need to call someone. That's just fucking cruel.

FredaFrogspawn · 30/06/2019 19:32

Don’t say they’re awful until more is known about where they are. The situation is awful.

Opossooom · 30/06/2019 19:37

They’ve left their elderly dog for 9 fucking hours?! RSPCA needs to be called. Absolute twats, someone should have been contacted to let them out for the toilet etc etc. Unless there’s something terrible happened that is such a horribly long time to be left alone especially with his current issues. Who are these people man?! Poor poor baby :(

Unshriven · 30/06/2019 19:38

It's a dog, and a one off.

Their parent, grandparents, child, could be sick or dying.

There coukd be an emergency regarding the peopke they love.

Don't go in all guns blazing until you know they haven't done the best they can.

In this weather, home alone could be the best olace for a dog.

TeeBee · 30/06/2019 19:58

Not for 9 fucking hours trapped indoors!

Original poster
AltasCloud · 30/06/2019 19:58

It's about 10 hours now; still no sign of them.

Don't go in all guns blazing

I have no guns to blaze! I'm the least confrontational person...

Of course I hope the neighbours are fine, but my worry for the dog probably outstrips my concern for them at the moment.

They are council tenants, I only mention to ask if local councils have any departments I could report it to?

OP posts:
FredaFrogspawn · 30/06/2019 19:59

Could you try knocking on a few doors to see if anyone has a spare key? At least you could check the poor dog has food and water.

CheerfulPotato · 30/06/2019 20:01

Sorry they’re arseholes.

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