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AIBU?

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Original poster

To report this?

86 replies

RiddleMeThis3 · 06/09/2019 22:36

On Monday morning when I was walking my dog, I spotted that my next door neighbour's side gate was open and her dog had gotten out. I brought him back in, closed the door and covered it with one of the kid's bikes in the driveway.

I texted my neighbour to tell her and she responded saying she was on holidays and her Dad would come over later and close it. Here we are FIVE days later and she still isn't back! The dog has been by himself since then and is crying for large parts of the day, he sounds so distressed. He has no kennel; rather a pet carrier with the door left open. His bowls have no food/water and I haven't seen anyone come to visit him all week (granted I'm at work during the day but I'm home at lunch).

I want to report this but my H2B is insisting that I don't as he doesn't want to create some sort of feud with the neighbours. I don't want to cause drama either but I feel that this just isn't right!!!!! PS - I'm also considering trying to take the dog into my house.

OP posts:
LolaDabestest · 07/09/2019 00:03

So the dog is living outside?... as I don't get how you can see bowls etc regardless of someone coming over to feed etc they can't leave a dog they should have put him in kennels you need to ring the rspca ASAP end of if there is a chance that dog hadn't had food or water for 5 days....and if he hasn't then he will be dead soon.

dollydaydream114 · 07/09/2019 00:06

If the dog has been crying in distress and his water bowl is empty you absolutely MUST call the RSPCA.

Even if someone is going in to feed the dog a) he shouldn't be left outside without proper shelter - a pet carrier doesn't count, b) he isn't getting any company or exercise and is desperately distressed and c) whoever is going in to check on him isn't doing it properly because if they were, his water bowl wouldn't be empty.

This is an awful case of and neglect and you need to call the RSPCA right now. I can't believe you haven't done so already.

Beth3886 · 07/09/2019 00:08

5 days too late - well done for raising your concern. But seriously, next level - report and take that dog in. You obviously care for that dog, and he has recognised you have from cries of help.. Help him. Just do it, take him in; breed, dog food, size, etc - he is now your responsibility if you have seen this. If you feel you can't, go further and get help. My dog is on my lap and I have been out for 4 hours and I feel guilty, but for 5 days.. Regardless if they're my friend or neighbour - that dog is my life x

TitianaTitsling · 07/09/2019 07:37

Outside with no actual shelter in the current weather? I'm hoping it's different to the current deluges and wind we have here!

Illberidingshotgun · 07/09/2019 07:49

Even if someone is going over and feeding the dog, it is being left with insufficient water, no proper shelter, and in a distressed state. Please give it some water and something to eat, anything, don't worry about digestive issues at this stage, and I say that as an owner of a dog on a prescription diet for severe digestive issues. Call the RSPCA, now, although I haven't had a great deal of luck with them when I have reported things so you may need a plan b.

LindaLa · 07/09/2019 08:03

Has there been any sign of anyone visiting?
Has the bike you put across the gate moved?
If it has then I'd tape a note to the gate saying the dog is suffering.
If it hasn't, open gate and take dog to the vet and treat as a lost dog.

Vet will scan and get in touch with them. Should scare them enough to actively give a shit about the dog.

lilypips · 07/09/2019 08:05

I'm slightly stunned that you haven't given a starving dog any food in case of digestive problems. Survival takes over Confused

pinkyredrose · 07/09/2019 08:08

Please give the dog some food and water!

Moondancer73 · 07/09/2019 08:15

Why are you even asking here, you should be reporting it straight away if a dog is left home alone! That's completely cruel and unreasonable

Nannewnannew · 07/09/2019 08:23

I think you should firstly, feed and water the dog and that can determine how hungry the dog is.
Secondly, I think you should text your neighbour and tell her that you are concerned about her dog because of the reasons you have highlighted in your OP. There may be a reason that no one has been going in, maybe her Dad was meant to be going in to feed the dog but has been taken ill?
I realise it’s a difficult situation you are in, but the safety of the dog is the most important factor, and if it means you fall out with your neighbour then too bad. They’re obviously not nice people if they’re happy to leave their dog outside for the sake of a holiday.

HeronLanyon · 07/09/2019 08:35

obviouy you need to go round and feed and water the dog. No question.
Text ndn - without criticising her - she organised someone to look after the dog. Tell her you’ve fed the dog and ask her when she’s back.
If you are able take the dog in and look after until ndn is back.
If money is tight in her return ask ndn for dog food money.
RSPCA involvement I’m in two minds about. If dog is fine and crying mainly because lonely then rspca May do nothing as she had I fact organised care which has not worked out.
If you aren’t able to take dog in then rspca May be your route.
Good luck - don’t wait. If someone comes to feed dog when you are there just stay calm and say you’ve texted ndn and she knows etc

bigvig · 07/09/2019 08:42

I would text..

Dear ndn, I'm sorry to disturb you on holiday but I'm really worried about your dog. I don't think the person you've asked to walk and feed the dog is doing the job. Your dog is in the garden all day. He doesn't seem to have food or water and is clearly distressed. Do you want me to call the rspca to get some emergency help?

IDontLikeZombies · 07/09/2019 09:06

Bigvig's text is perfect.
No accusations, just concern for the dog.

As for wrecking your relationship with the neighbour 1) if she has organised care for the dog she will hate you for watching it suffering and 2) if she hasn't organised care and has let her poor pet starve in the back garden how will you be able to have cordial relations with her in any case.

Please help the poor animal, you are becoming more complicit in this dog's suffering the longer you wait.

Iamnotagoddess · 07/09/2019 09:11

As usual totally over the top replies.

The OP doesn’t know if the dog is being fed and the responsibility for this dog lies with it’s owner.

I would text the owner to ascertain exactly what arrangements are in place for the dog.

Ignore the hysterical posts OP.

HeronLanyon · 07/09/2019 09:19

Try to ignore any supercilious posts also !

lilypips · 07/09/2019 09:21

The OP doesn’t know if the dog is being fed and the responsibility for this dog lies with it’s owner

This kind of attitude it the reason animals, and people suffer. It's someone else's responsibility so do nothing? Really?

HeronLanyon · 07/09/2019 09:47

Agree - assess, feed and water if need be now, contact owner to let them know and sort out remainder of dog care.
No way would anyone criticise feeding and watering a dog who needed this. Anyone who did needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

Original poster
RiddleMeThis3 · 07/09/2019 12:07

As mentioned in my original post, I have a dog who is also my life. I get it. I have contacted the RSPCA and they said that there is no evidence to suggest that nobody is coming when I'm not there so they won't be calling out to the house. They have advised me to call them back when the owner is home and they may be able to make contact with her then.

A relative called up this morning and stayed for approximately 20 minutes. Perhaps this has been happening when I've been at work, I don't know?

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 07/09/2019 12:45

If a water bowl is empty you fill it.

You leave a note to see if anyone's been and ask them to contact you.

The RSPCA response is awful. Contact the dog warden

Original poster
RiddleMeThis3 · 07/09/2019 12:51

@bigvig That's what I'll do. Thank you. I feel really attacked by a lot of people here when I'm trying to contemplate a number of factors. Your advice is really helpful, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
RiddleMeThis3 · 07/09/2019 12:55

@Blubluboo Apologies for the lack of clarity, I can see the dog's bowls out my back bedroom window, he's in the garden. The side gate was locked by someone on Monday when I texted her about it, so someone did come by but I hadn't seen anyone between Monday and today. Also unaware of how long she was going to be away, so didn't know when to report.

OP posts:
swingofthings · 07/09/2019 12:55

How hard was it to text, say that you'd noticed there was no water or food, and say you just wanted to check with nb them that someone was indeed coming regularly as you hadn't seen anyone.

Why going straight to the authority when clearly and unsurprisingly it is what they expected before being really concerned.

Original poster
RiddleMeThis3 · 07/09/2019 12:57

@Bookworm4 Yes, he normally is outside. My dog is a house dog, so this is why I'm asking for advice. People leave their dogs outside all the time....I would never do that but does that mean it's wrong? I don't know! This is why I'm asking people and I really appreciate your input. Thank you. I just want to do what's best.

OP posts:
DontForgetToDeadhead · 07/09/2019 13:00

If you can get into the garden I would go round and give him some water.

I'd also text the neighbour - you can always say that you are worriesy that the person who is supposed to be coming round has fallen ill or is not coming for some other reason (TBF, that could be true).

DontForgetToDeadhead · 07/09/2019 13:01

I think the general consensus these days is that keeping a dog outside permanently is wrong. It used to be common but not Anny more.

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