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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder what to do with this dog?

185 replies

Overrona21 · 12/02/2021 15:10

This morning I went for an early morning walk and saw my neighbours door wide open and their puppy was running around the block. I thought nothing of it and thought maybe they just let it run about. At around 9 a workman came and mentioned the dog was running around still. I went out to the shop and the door was still open. The puppy ran out to me, sweet little thing. , I knocked the door and shouted hello in the flat. No answer. I knocked harder and stepped in the flat, I looked around to see if anyone was in and had hurt themselves but no one was in. The whole house was im complete squalor, it had poo and wee everywhere, there was no electric, the dog had no water or food. This puppy was a bit thin, I looked around and there was nothing for the dog to eat. I got some food from another neighbour and have put the dog shut away in living room. I went to the shops and I’m wondering what to do next. I obviously don’t want to leave the dog, I could take the dog in until she comes back but then what? Maybe she just left her door open by accident? We’re not even allowed animals really. Do I just call an animal rescue? I would hate to get her dog taken off her, but at the same time she’s been gone with nothing left for the dog.

OP posts:
QueenOfLabradors · 12/02/2021 20:11

RSPCA did help when I reported an older gentleman with learning disabilities who was loving a rabbit a guinea pig and a cat to death with misguided feeding and care. It was a difficult situation and various neighbours and colleagues of mine all agreed something had to be done, but everyone including me knew it was going to be awful. In the end since I lived furthest away we agreed it would be me, just because Inspector came out, nice sensible person, and between us we did get him to voluntarily surrender the animals. However after that I was inundated with increasingly hysterical phone calls from their fundraising department. I'd said I'd be happy to help fundraise in the future but I couldn't commit to a direct debit as my work is too intermittent to make a regular payment a wise thing to do. But I'd be delighted to help with street collections, stalls, charity shop work etc. Eventually I blocked their aggressive commercial fundraiser's number and spoke with the manager of our nearest RSPCA charity shop. No, he'd never been given my name and number as a prospective volunteer.

FossilisedFanny · 12/02/2021 20:13

Did you put the emphasis on the situation regarding the dog when you spoke to 101? Your posts here are mainly about the puppy not the fact that there’s a minor also living in squalor.

Jynxed · 12/02/2021 20:14

OP - I just wanted to say that you sound lovely, and what a lovely caring neighbour you are.

ghostyslovesheets · 12/02/2021 20:15

awful for the dog - but hugely concerning for a school aged child living in squalor with no food or electric - getting drunk and wandering around - have you reported that?

Original poster
Overrona21 · 12/02/2021 20:27

I did tell the police she had a daughter, I did tell them about the star of the house. The police said they were concerned and they would send someone round. I didn’t tell them that she was drunk one time a few months back.

I don’t know how to tag but thank you everyone for the nice comments, I just wanted some advice about the best thing to do.

OP posts:
Mrgrinch · 12/02/2021 20:35

Do people not realise you can't just take it upon yourself to steal someone else's dog? OP has done the best she can but she couldn't refuse to give the dog back. I really hope something is done for the welfare of all of them.

The teenager running outside in her thong sounds like a drunken dare to me.

ghostyslovesheets · 12/02/2021 21:12

if you are in England contact your local children's services - just call them

being drunk might be a 'dare' but living in a house covered in piss and shit with no food and not heat as a child is not a dare - it's a risk

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 12/02/2021 21:29

I would call social services, as the daughter should not be living in hose conditions either.

And thanks for making so much effort to help the dog, OP. Animals give so much and ask for so little, they deserve at least to be warm and fed.

CatAndHisKit · 12/02/2021 21:43

OP thank God it was you who saw the puppy and have it food and some rest / poor thing had a nap in peace. And well done calling 101 and rescue.
I really hope the police will visit soon. Is it a council block or private - could they be squatters? (that's usual when no electric on). And expensive things might be stolen, so can be the puppy - got him to sell on? They must live on something and if the mother is an addict, that's where the money goes. Good thing police is coming to check on the mother and daughter.
And really hope that puppy's owner is found - or if not chipped, then a new home. What a horrid way to live for a totally dependent puppy!

CatAndHisKit · 12/02/2021 21:43

*gave it food

SlightlyJaded · 12/02/2021 21:48

I'm glad the police are going to send someone round. I would feel the same as you OP.

I'm not quite sure what qualifies as 'urgent' in RSPCA world. I've called them twice over the years regarding animal welfare, and both times was brushed off. I think unless you've unearthed a four hundred kennel puppy farm, they just aren't interested.

fortnitewithkids69 · 12/02/2021 22:01

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Lady089 · 12/02/2021 22:06

Don’t give the puppy back to the owner, if she’s neglectful!
Phone the dog warden.

Mrgrinch · 12/02/2021 22:10

@Lady089

Don’t give the puppy back to the owner, if she’s neglectful! Phone the dog warden.
For god's sake.

You can't steal someone's dog. OP has contacted the people who can take it away if necessary, legally.

fortnitewithkids69 · 12/02/2021 22:11

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Lady089 · 12/02/2021 22:35

@Mrgrinch - Would you say the same about a defenceless child who is unable to speak out, living in the same circumstances?
I am not telling her to steal it to keep but to keep it in her possession, whilst necessary action is taken Hmm

Mrgrinch · 12/02/2021 22:42

[quote Lady089]@Mrgrinch - Would you say the same about a defenceless child who is unable to speak out, living in the same circumstances?
I am not telling her to steal it to keep but to keep it in her possession, whilst necessary action is taken Hmm[/quote]
You can't be serious. You're talking about abducting a child.

The only legal thing to do is contact those necessary to act as they see fit, within the law. By all means keep a close eye on the dog/child, until you are satisfied it is safe, but you are not allowed to take animals or humans that don't belong to you.

Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 23:05

Are you not going to share a pic of the pup?

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 12/02/2021 23:14

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Original poster
Overrona21 · 12/02/2021 23:22

Why would I troll about something not very interesting in the first place? I didn’t take a picture of the dog because by the time I was off the phone. She came to knock for the dog back. I can post my phone logs to prove I’d been on the phone for ages with various places? I have no reason to lie

OP posts:
Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 23:25

*Just to clarify, I didn't think this was a troll thread, and I hadn't read the entire thread. I assumed the pup was still with you and just wanted to see a pic of a cute pup, on a Friday night y'know. Sorry.

Original poster
Overrona21 · 12/02/2021 23:26

No that message wasn’t to you, he is a really cute pup and I wish I took a picture

OP posts:
Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 23:28

Though I am surprised you had the dog for over 2 hours and didn't take a single pic! It's prob one of the first things I'd have done as soon as I'd got it inside and warm/fed etc. Grin

Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 23:29

OP, I'd still probably follow up with RSCPA at some point. The owners are clearly incapable of looking after the poor thing. So sad.

LongCOVID · 12/02/2021 23:37

I'm confused. I've just read this with interest, but just not sure of the thought process...

You found the puppy outside, with the door of the property open. The adult in the house was out. You knocked and called out, but there was no answer. From outside you could see mess all over the floor, and became concerned for the safety of the teenager who had not been seen for some time. So, rather than phone the police, you entered the property, eyeballed the expensive electrical gadgets, noticed that there was no electricity, searched the property without permission, with no authority and no warrant, rummaged through the cupboards, and stole a dog. Then you went online to ask random people on the internet for advice before deciding, an hour later, to call the RSPCA and 101 about the dog, whilst live-updating the randoms on the internet. You later updated your story to say you did tell the police about a vulnerable young adult living in appalling conditions, but only after asked about it specifically as your focus to that point was on the dog.

Just stop and have a think: How would that sound in court if you were hearing it from someone else?

If, heaven forbid, the teen is found injured in future you would have to explain your thought process. Hmm