Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU in feeling harassed?

390 replies

KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 17/04/2021 17:00

In the middle of March, RSPCA had knocked on our door. They had a complaint stating an animal was lay in the window not moving they presumed the animal was dead.

Understandably RSPCA came right around. The guy was very amused in finding not a dead dog on the windowsill, but our dog happily sun bathing. My dog gave a half hearted wag of the tail, looked at him and went straight back to sunbathing and watching the world go by.

RSPCA obviously said no more action needed. So imagine my surprise 6 days later when a female RSPCA worker showed up, her attitude was absolutely horrific.

The complaint this time was a lethargic dog on the windowsill with the suspicion of the dog being drugged, because of how unresponsive it was.

I told the Lady she could happily come in and have a look at our dog, just like her colleague had.

She refused and said she can see clearly from the window that the dog looks lethargic, not active and started asking what medication I give the dog that makes him so placid.

I told her he's on no medication, he's sat chilling at the window he's hardly gonna be active when he's lay down! She told me I need to hand over the dogs vet details, and she will discuss everything with my vet, and she can do monthly check ins with my vet making sure my dogs condition improves.

I told her he had no condition, she has no right to my dogs vet records and I will not be handing them over or giving consent. She told me that's suspicious and I would make it easier on myself by giving consent, if not she will get the police to return with her, so she can remove the dog!

I told her conversation was over with, I will happily deal with another colleague but not her, I also phoned RSPCA notifying them of this, and began the complaints procedure online in regards to her.

Thursday we went out for a walk with the dog, when returning home we had missed a calling card from the RSPCA. We called, and they said the inspector on the case will call back.

It was the first gentlemen from last time, he informed us the same complaint had been put in again but apparently the complainer had gone to the window to illicit a response from him and nothing.

They had placed 4 calls within the space of 2 days, and several photos of the dog asleep on the windowsill.

He sounded apologetic, but explained his hands are tied and he can't just close the case like the past 2 times, due to the amount of phone calls and photos sent across.

He claims RSPCA sent the photos over to an independent vet and the vet is showing concern over the "lethargic demeanor" he is displaying in the photos.

He has asked for us to book him into the vets ASAP and give him the report and then he can mark this down as malicious for a year.

I'm really horrified at the thought of someone coming into my garden taking photos through my living room window.

My issue isn't with the RSPCA they are just doing their job, it's whoever is doing this. He confirmed it was the same caller!

I honestly don't know why they are being malicious and acting like this. My anxiety has been sky high since finding out, is someone watching my house? How often are they coming into my garden taking photos? Do they get photos of Myself, two children and DN?

It's not like he barks, my Husband has worked from home since the start of the pandemic. So that is definitely ruled out.

My husband has suggested just stopping him from being on the front windowsill but in my opinion that doesn't solve the issue at all!

We are looking into getting cameras, but is that even legal someone taking photos through my window? Or am I being dramatic and someone is just trying to do a good deed.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
RandomMess · 19/04/2021 14:04

Ddog has refused a walk, got to the end of the street and stopped - clearly being lethargic sleeping in the sun is preferable 🤦🏼‍♀️

Aprilshowersandhail · 19/04/2021 14:16

You need ddoggy outfits op...

Watchingstars88 · 19/04/2021 14:49

Absolutely ridiculous! RSPCA ignore actual cruelty and neglect cases and home in on stuff like this where the dog is obviously well cared for like yours OP. I reported a man hitting his dog once, I had a photo and clear description. Police were great about it but the RSPCA? Useless.

Pandoraslastchance · 19/04/2021 14:53

Kung-fu, yeah I was just worn down and exhausted by it all and wanted it to end. Vet check showed they were healthy.

daisyjgrey · 19/04/2021 15:05

I adopted a dog and was being harassed by the previous owner because I wouldn't give her regular weekly updates on him (she gave him away and hadn't looked after him properly, she wasn't a doting old lady who couldn't cope, I'd have let her know how he was doing if that was the case).

It got to the point that the woman was threatening to come into my garden and take the dog/stop one of the children when they were out walking him and take him. I reported it to 101, who sent an officer round and logged it all. I too felt like they'd think I was batshit mad but he said it was a good thing to do as it's now on record and they don't mind doing it all.

Definitely log it with the police, then even if you resolve this issue and the person who has been reporting you carries on, there is record of you flagging harassment. I would imagine that the police and get the ID of the person reporting you as well to include on your file, although obviously (infuriatingly) they'll never tell you!

My dog lies in which ever sun puddle he can find and you could hoover round him without causing so much as a raised snoot. Do these people not have dogs?!

FakeColinCaterpillar · 19/04/2021 15:08

I would also log it. Are the coming onto your property to take the picture.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 19/04/2021 15:15

A neighbour once knocked on my door to say he was so sorry but our cat was dead in his skip. No, he was just deaf, a deep sleeper for a cat, and liked to sleep in alarming places (including inside the washing machine - always had to check before chucking clothes in there).

I'm now wondering who on earth is still donating to the RSPCA. Nobody on this thread has had a good word to say about them. I realised they're utterly shit many years ago, as did all of MN by the sounds of it. Any defenders want to give their perspective?

thetemptationofchocolate · 19/04/2021 15:30

OP you might want to have a read here (if you haven't already done so)
the-shg.org/

memberofthewedding · 19/04/2021 15:35

Get a small discreet camera that can be hidden somewhere - say in a nearby tree. Amazon has a whole range of types that can run on battery for several weeks. Should be long enough for you to catch the culprit.

Tyhen scare the living daylights of of them with threats of
police action for harassment. Tell them the pictures are going on social media if they do it again.

BlueDahlia69 · 19/04/2021 15:37

@memberofthewedding

Get a small discreet camera that can be hidden somewhere - say in a nearby tree. Amazon has a whole range of types that can run on battery for several weeks. Should be long enough for you to catch the culprit.

Tyhen scare the living daylights of of them with threats of
police action for harassment. Tell them the pictures are going on social media if they do it again.

OP has done this
FictionalCharacter · 19/04/2021 15:56

The female inspector’s attitude is worrying- the sort of thing that would make me wonder whether they’re an imposter! Why would she decline the opportunity to see the dog? Why would she take a stranger’s suspicion that he’s been drugged seriously, with no evidence? Anyone drugging their dog for whatever reason would surely not be stupid enough to put him in the window for everyone to see.

This particular inspector seems odd and quick to accuse. Is she within her rights to threaten to come back with the police and seize your dog just because you refused to give her your vet records? I bet she isn’t, when there’s no evidence there’s anything wrong with the dog.

Luckily my dog wouldn’t fit on a windowsill, but he’s old and spends most of the day sleeping. If some weirdo tried to elicit a response through the window they’d definitely fail, because he’s deaf. He’s been snoozing most of the morning and didn’t react to the water board drilling through concrete outside. No doubt she’d demand a vet’s report to prove it.

I hope they take your complaint very seriously. This is the kind of thing that would make them look very foolish if it ended up in a local news report, complete with footage of non-dead dog enjoying walkies.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 19/04/2021 16:08

I know that a principle is at stake, but seriously why not just give the RSPCA access to vet records? What's the worst that could happen? The dog really doesn't give a shit about his patient confidentiality, trust me. I would just shrug my shoulders and agree, having nothing to hide. It really doesn't seem worth the hassle of batting away their repeated requests.

I do agree with the advice about contacting the police about harassment though, from the person reporting.

BlueDahlia69 · 19/04/2021 16:18

I know that a principle is at stake, but seriously why not just give the RSPCA access to vet records? What's the worst that could happen? The dog really doesn't give a shit about his patient confidentiality, trust me. I would just shrug my shoulders and agree, having nothing to hide. It really doesn't seem worth the hassle of batting away their repeated requests.

They want OP to produce a Vet certification that the dog's health is fit and healthy, from the day of their visit, at OP's cost, the rspca Vet will not do the checkup.

The earliest the OP's Vet can see the dog is two weeks away, hence the delay.

It's nothing to do with the Dogs vetinary records, if only it were that simple.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 19/04/2021 16:26

I see, thanks @BlueDahlia69. In that case don't put yourself to any trouble or expense with the vet, OP.

AlanThePig · 19/04/2021 16:28

How utterly ridiculous. Hope you catch them op. I have an extremely lazy Scott who spends all his days in the chair by the window, he’s fit and healthy just exceptionally lazy.
Some people are nuts.

AIBU in feeling harassed?
KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 19/04/2021 16:29

@HarebrightCedarmoon

I know that a principle is at stake, but seriously why not just give the RSPCA access to vet records? What's the worst that could happen? The dog really doesn't give a shit about his patient confidentiality, trust me. I would just shrug my shoulders and agree, having nothing to hide. It really doesn't seem worth the hassle of batting away their repeated requests.

I do agree with the advice about contacting the police about harassment though, from the person reporting.

Originally She wanted access to his records, so she could check in with the vet frequently about his "condition" Now I need a report from the vet.

That would be like me knocking on your door saying hmm you look a bit peaky, and contagious I saw you through the window. Please provide me permission for access to your doctors records, so I can check in with your doctor frequently making sure you remain in health.

You would refuse, wouldn't matter how many times I knocked on. If it was a valid complaint about the dog I would have engaged sooner. But he's clearly not dead, and not drugged.

OP posts:
IntermittentParps · 19/04/2021 16:44

Jesus. Usually the rspca do naff all when there is an actual issue!
That's just what I was thinking. Ironic isn't it. You can ignore them, OP; they have no legal powers.

I'd also call the non-emergency police, though. Explain that photos have been taken and that you feel harassed by both the RSPCA and by the mysterious person who keeps reporting you. I've found them very helpful and practical in the past.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 19/04/2021 16:47

Something else occurred to me, if the only way the RSPCA can check on a dog's health is by asking for a vet report from the person being complained about, this isn't particularly effective. Anyone who was mistreating their dog would not likely comply!

singleagain22 · 19/04/2021 16:49

You need to play the game. Whoever is reporting this is idiotic.

Take the dog to the vet and get the check over and clean bill of health. Cooperate with the RSPCA. Get cameras.

PanamaPattie · 19/04/2021 16:54

Why should the OP cooperate with the RSPCA? They have no authority without your consent. The OP needs to catch the person that is harassing her. That’s the real issue here.

Nith · 19/04/2021 16:56

Have you got the name of the "independent vet"? I'd suggest you contact him/her and ask whether they really did say the dog looked lethargic just from looking at photos. After all, if you take pictures of any person or animal when they're dozing, they'll look lethargic. If I went to my doctor with a picture of DH asleep in bed and asked him to diagnose whether he's lethargic or not, I suspect my doctor would think I was the one who needed diagnosing.

If the vet did say that, I'd consider reporting them to their professional body because it seems to me seriously unprofessional to give a medical opinion on an animal you have never seen purely on the basis of a couple of photographs.

Nith · 19/04/2021 16:58

You could always suggest to the RSPCA that, rather than making you drag your dog to the vet and pay a fortune for a pointless examination, they send their spiffy independent vet around at their expense to check for him or herself.

IntermittentParps · 19/04/2021 16:59

Have you got the name of the "independent vet"? I'd suggest you contact him/her and ask whether they really did say the dog looked lethargic just from looking at photos…If the vet did say that, I'd consider reporting them to their professional body because it seems to me seriously unprofessional to give a medical opinion on an animal you have never seen purely on the basis of a couple of photographs.

Absolutely. I think the RSPCA are making up this vet. I'd be interested in their response were you to ask for his/her contact details, OP.

AriseMyPretties · 19/04/2021 17:04

I hope you catch the complainant on video. The thought of someone creeping about in my garden taking photos of the inside of my house is very disturbing.

I wonder how they have not been seen, if they know when you are out or in another part of the house. Seems a bit like the behaviour of a stalker.

ImNotThatPathetic · 19/04/2021 17:11

Originally She wanted access to his records, so she could check in with the vet frequently about his "condition" Now I need a report from the vet.

She's clearly made up her mind that the dog is in need of treatment. If I were to give the RSPCA my vets details they would be able to confirm that I have a 7 year old cat who was spayed 6 years ago. And that it is probably still alive. Maybe. They wouldn't know because I do not take a healthy cat to the vet. Why would anyone?