To be annoyed at irresponsible pet ownership

[twelveminutespast]

MIL has a beagle. She has never took out pet insurance and we now suspect that he is very poorly.

He's had a lump for months that has now gotten much bigger and he's acting out of character and really "off" in general. He's also got problems with his eyes, can't open them for periods of time and to me he looks like he's got cataracts although it hasn't been confirmed.

She won't be able to afford the vet bills so she has suggested euthanasia/beagle welfare if the lump needs investigating.

AIBU to think you shouldn't have a pet if you can't afford to pay for them?

Is she entitled to help from the PDSA?

@YesIDoLoveCrisps Not sure.. she receives a LOT in benefits each month. On paper, she could afford pet insurance but chose not to get it.

YANBU bit that’s not an especially helpful position to take right now, is it?

Can you and your DH / DW help out with the vet bill?

You don’t like her, do you OP?

If she receives certain benefits then there are charities that will help.

@FamilyOfAliens it isn't but he had to go to the vets a couple years ago and she didn't learn her lesson then.. I suspect the problem is worse this time.

It's the fact hes had a lump for sometime and she hasn't bothered to get it investigated straight away

Yanbu. Having a pet is a luxury not a right. People take them on far too casually and don't think about the financial responsibility. How old is the dog?

She's a fucking disgrace quite frankly. If she gets housing benefit she'd be entitled to use the PDSA.

Your MIL needs to wise up to the fact that her dog is suffering. If she won’t accept that then the RSPCA need to be informed that here is a case of neglect/animal cruelty.

@FamilyOfAliens I wouldn't feel particularly kind towards a family member who couldn't be bothered to get pet insurance and is now letting an animal suffer. In fact, I'd probably report her to the RSPCA. The dog can't stand up for himself; he needs someone to do it for him.

The dog is 7 so not too old. To be honest I don't think the dog is looked after as well as he could be. Yes, he is fed and watered etc and is sheltered..

But he's never taken out for a walk, never had a bath, is locked away for long periods of time behind a gate, is left to chew and eat whatever he can around the house.

Does anybody know if you can report anonymously to RSPCA?

@FamilyOfAliens 😏

In my experience, the RSPCA won’t do much in this situation. I’d explore the PDSA avenue, or encourage her to give the dog up to Beagle Welfare, if she’s suggested that. More for the dogs sake than hers.

Yanbu I hate this attitude!

Years ago we had a cat who broke her leg, we didn't have insurance & it cost around £600 to fix which we put on a credit card. Not great but our little cat was only about 4 (rescue so not sure on age). Was talking about it with a colleague at the time & my boss overheard & said she would just put to sleep & not waste that much money. I just said we loved her so she was worth it but I really felt like adding that that's what decent people do.

Also had a friend who bought a hampster, she'd only had it a week or so & it was ill so she took it back to the shop & got another! I asked why she didn't take it to a vet she said she didn't want the hassle! I distanced myself from her. So heartless

The attitude she has is euthanasia or give it away because she can't afford to pay for the dog if anything goes wrong.. I just think if you have a pet you should be prepared for the financial side of things too.

I wouldn’t like someone who neglected their key either but I wouldn’t be dragging their benefits into the conversation unless I was going for an all-out character assassination.

Key = pet

I wouldn’t be dragging their benefits into the conversation unless I was going for an all-out character assassination.

Surely it’s relevant as those benefits would entitle her to help from the PDSA?

YANBU OP. I’m not even an animal lover but this attitude boils my piss. If you can afford the cost of a pure bred dog either from a breeder or from giving a rescue a donation, then you can afford £20-40 a month for proper insurance.

That’s before you even get to the neglect issue of leaving a clearly unwell animal with no medical treatment.

From the RSPCA website:

The RSPCA believes that the basic welfare of all animals must take into account the 'Five Welfare Needs'. These needs are: - somewhere suitable to live - a proper diet, including fresh water - the ability to express normal behaviour - for any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals - protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury.

OP, I would strongly urge you to contact them.

www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty

Why don’t you just go and get the poor bloody dog and take him to a vet. How can you watch this neglect and do nothing, that’s just as bad.

It’s relevant, terrible, but this is just judgemental:

she receives a LOT in benefits each month.

Disgusting!!! Our dog is part of our family - not walking a beagle is downright disgraceful, nevermind the negligence in no provision now he’s poorly. Selfish, thoughtless and downright cruel. Please tell her that’s what she is.

@JKScot4 spot on. Where is the dog Op? I'll take her and made sure she's looked after if you're near me. I can't bear to think of her suffering.

Definitely get a call in to PDSA - I rescued 2 dogs (1 a beagle) with pre-existing health conditions but qualify for PDSA care. However, took out expensive cover for beagle after he needed emergency surgery - straight away he fell ill & was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with epilepsy & he has pre-existing hip dysplasia. PDSA wouldn't cover a lot of that treatment, so I cut back on other stuff to have him insured.

IMO having a dog euthanised because you can't afford his vet care is fucking appalling. Do a crowdfunder, put it on a credit card, get a payment plan. And walk the poor dog. (This aimed at the owner, not OP!).