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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:
TheChip · 12/02/2021 23:39

Exactly! It makes no sense. The description given suggested something terrible had potentially happened, and OP seemed to be more judgemental of the home conditions than she was for their welfare. To the point of needing prompting by many on here before she actually called for a welfare check.

Smells fishy

Original poster
Overrona21 · 12/02/2021 23:47

First of all. It’s not that I hadn’t seen the teen for some time Jesus Hmm. The first thing I thought was that someone was hurt. As I didn’t find anyone in the house, the only thing I could sort out really was the dog being left alone, in the cold with no food or water. Was I supposed to leave the dog??? I didn’t rummage through their cupboards for anything but dog food or eyeball their electronics. I noticed their electronics because my initial thought was they had upped and left. I was concerned about the neighbours, but I didn’t want to over react. So yes I asked randoms on the internet what they would do.

I’m sorry I didn’t update straight away exactly what I said about the teen or their lack of food or their shitty house to police but I did. All I did was take control of what I could and that included bringing the dog to my house, I contacted our housing manager in case they had her contact details and all the relevant authorities. Please honestly get off my back because if someone was injured in their house I wouldn’t exactly be looking to feed their dog would I?

The woman came back, albeit drunk took her dog and I can’t really do more than I did.

OP posts:
TheChip · 13/02/2021 00:11

Youre right. There is a huge difference in reading what has happened, to actually dealing with it.

I apologise for jumping, OP.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 13/02/2021 00:55

RSPCA are completely rubbish in my opinion, I’ve had a reason to call them before regarding a loose husky, but they weren’t interested at all . My mother called about a neighbour being cruel to their dog , same indifferent response.

Lady089 · 13/02/2021 01:06

@Mrgrinch - You’re a funny one, abducting a child 🤣

The necessary steps to protect a child/dog, until some form of law enforcement was able to attend.

Any roaming dogs are generally left with a dog warden/vet, microchip checked and checked on welfare grounds before returning to the owner.

Your assumption of abducting the child and stealing the dog was what you said.

pilates · 13/02/2021 06:53

Well done op, good job there are people like you in this world. You did the best you could. Let’s hope something positive comes from this.

babbaloushka · 13/02/2021 09:51

I think you did a great job, hard to believe some PP would just close the door and be on their merry way...

Suzi888 · 13/02/2021 09:54

It’s be nice if you got to keep the pupSad the owner obviously doesn’t care for it.

HaveringWavering · 13/02/2021 11:59

@Suzi888

It’s be nice if you got to keep the pupSad the owner obviously doesn’t care for it.
I think OP lives in the same block and (rightly) doesn’t think that sort of dog should be kept in a flat.
Veterinari · 13/02/2021 13:10

Have you called social services @Overrona21 ?

I'm a vet, animal welfare is a significant concern for me. But in this situation I'd be phoning SS not the RSPCA - there are clear child neglect and safeguarding issues here Sad

Original poster
Overrona21 · 13/02/2021 13:18

I haven’t called social services, I just called 101 for a welfare check and then RSPCA. Basically I wasn’t sure if I was overreacting you don’t know how other people live, I wasn’t sure if the dog had been left for a while and that’s why the house looked like it did. I obviously am concerned for the daughter now Hopefully the police have got in touch to check on them

OP posts:
Sarahrellyboo1987 · 13/02/2021 17:29

Instead of posting on MN call the police over welfare concerns for your neighbour and the RSPCA for the dog.

Sounds like it’s been abandoned

stablefeet · 13/02/2021 17:48

@Sarahrellyboo1987

Instead of posting on MN call the police over welfare concerns for your neighbour and the RSPCA for the dog.

Sounds like it’s been abandoned

You need to RTFT
AnnieSnap · 13/02/2021 17:59

The RSPCA is a waste of time unless you can get the media out to give them publicity. You found it outside. I’d go back in, get the puppy and take it to Dogs Trust or another good shelter.

Lisa46 · 13/02/2021 18:01

Is your neighbour elderly or young? It sounds like there may be mental health issues here.

mummyhat · 13/02/2021 18:10

It sounds to me like you’ve responsibly notified the right bodies and done all the right things, this being the first proper time you have had to have involvement with this family. Keep a log of today’s events and who you spoke to so if ever you need to intervene again for any reason in future (let’s hope not), it will be helpful.
I can’t see at face value what more you can do right now.

Winterjoy · 13/02/2021 18:17

Please, please OP pass the information you have to the local authority children's social care team. If this teenager is living without electricity or a safe clean home, and with limited access to food, then there is neglect at play and this is a safeguarding issue. Imagine living under those circumstances as a child and not knowing how to change your situation... you may be one of only a handful of people who have 'seen behind the veneer' and are able to flag this up.

ERFFER · 13/02/2021 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Overrona21 · 13/02/2021 18:59

the woman is maybe in her 40’s 50’s. I just noticed the electric had ran out, as in they hadn’t been home for a bit as you could see their meter was in debt. I was just worried I would be overreacting by speaking to social services? Like everyone could be explained away. No one managed to top up the electric, the dog pooed over the house and they’re messy, and maybe they hadn’t done a food shop?

I obviously don’t want the daughter to come to any harm or neglect. I’m just weary I suppose

OP posts:
Winterjoy · 13/02/2021 19:15

I think most councils have an online form for reporting child welfare concerns. Once you've communicated what you saw then it's out of your hands and with the professionals to follow-up as necessary. They are in a better position to make a judgement call re what ifs and maybes. Could be one part of a bigger picture already on their radar. Maybe the police will pass on the info anyway if it's logged with 101? Hope so.

Bluntness100 · 13/02/2021 19:20

Op. Ignore the posters trying to catch you out.

I’d keep on local animal rescues. I know you’re weary but theirs an animal in there that’s being neglected. Forget the rspca. Contact the same charity you called and then call other local rescues. Call the police again and chase up.

The whole thing is just very sad and concerning.

Tinkerbell1980 · 13/02/2021 20:50

OP you sound lovely Flowers
I'd be worried about them too, if the teenager is there and there's no food or electricity I'd be concerned enough to contact social services tbh

Sashru · 14/02/2021 07:11

@LongCOVID. .For goodness sake leave the poor woman alone...you make it sound like she looted the place.. "eyeballed" the expensive equipment?.."rummaged through the cupboards" ? (she says she didn't.. not sure where you got that from).. she saw a puppy running around, took it home, noticed the state of the place, became concerned, contacted who she needed to, then asked if she could have done more.. she doesn't need to justify herself to anyone..she did the best she could in the circumstances ..who knows what they would do in those circumstances until it happens to them.. stop being so judgemental...

Veterinari · 14/02/2021 10:22

@Overrona21

the woman is maybe in her 40’s 50’s. I just noticed the electric had ran out, as in they hadn’t been home for a bit as you could see their meter was in debt. I was just worried I would be overreacting by speaking to social services? Like everyone could be explained away. No one managed to top up the electric, the dog pooed over the house and they’re messy, and maybe they hadn’t done a food shop?

I obviously don’t want the daughter to come to any harm or neglect. I’m just weary I suppose

And if it can be explained away and is sorted out then there'll be nothing for SS to do. No harm done.

But if there's a vulnerable teenage girl living in squalor with a neglectful/drunk parent, then she needs support

Scrumbleton · 14/02/2021 11:40

Sorry OP - Not sure I believe any of this dramatic tale- you say your daughter was begging you to keep the puppy but your previous posts only mention that you are single mum to a baby which you refer to on different occasions as a he or she

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