AIBU in feeling harassed?

[KungFuPandaWorksOut20]

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.

[Youdontknowwhatyoureonabout]

I would put a note on the window, small enough not to be seen from the street, so that whoever came to look at my dog saw

The dog is fine, idiot.
Or
Mind your own f**cking business

but do get a camera then you can send picture of whoever it is to the police and make a claim about them making malicious reports.

[Potentialscroogeincognito]

Camera on your house (ring doorbell?) and massive fuck off poster in your window with an arrow drawn on it pointing down at your dog with the writing “my dog is absolutely fine. He likes sunbathing. Your malicious and time wasting phone calls have been reported as harassment to the police. Go away”
And log it with 101. You are right ... what else are they taking photos of!?

[Angrypregnantlady]

I would get a quick check up with the vet and ask them to write a little statement saying the dog is fine. You shouldn't have to but it will be the easiest way to pacify the RSPCA.
Then put a little sign on your window that only a stalkery wierdo would see saying "leave our dog alone, he's fine, get off our property."

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

You must post who it was😂
I am curious because I agree with pp that it will be someone you know.

[PolarnOPirate]

Glad you’ve ordered a camera, this is craziness!! Deffo upload a pic so I can evil eye the person through my phone 😄

[Unsuremover]

Jeez I have to physically shove my dog out of the sun when he starts to overheat, no danger he’s moving cause someone wants to talk to him. I’d imagine even more so if he’s now used to someone in the house so nothing interesting is happening.

I couldn’t not put a sign beside the dog saying, I am asleep, if you want to see me moving you’ll have to get up earlier and watch me on my walk!

[MichelleScarn]

He has asked for us to book him into the vets ASAP
This is awful for you, so you need to book and pay for a vets appointment to prove he's as they can see fine?
What if you had no spare cash for this? Its different to not having money for annual jabs or no insurance?

[CervixHaver]

@Claphands

I used to support the RSPCA every month but stoppped after they kidnapped my cat! He was 20, had just had a bath (needed as he’d sat in his own sh*t) and went outside to sunbathe. I went out for under 1 hour, in that time some nosy neighbour had called the RSPCA they’d arrived and taken my cat!
They came back as I was out looking for him as it was unusual he wasn’t in my garden, the officer started questioning me and opened the door of her van and there he was,I opened the cage, took him out and walked off! Honestly where’s the common sense? I loved that cat so much and the neighbours should have known better as I’d had him all the time I’d been there.

I would raise your complaint tho the RSPCA that this is a malicious call and any further attendances from the same complainant are considered harassment.

And yes, a camera would be worth it if you can get one cheap.

I totally support animals welfare but it sometimes makes me wonder if these people understand animals!

I'm presuming you didn't leave your cat outside soaking wet??? Even in hot weather that's pretty cruel unless almost completely dry

[SwanShaped]

That’s so creepy that they’ve come round and taken photos. Should be obvious that your dog is just snoozing. Hope the camera sorts it out.

[CervixHaver]

@KungFuPandaWorksOut20

Why should I do that. And every single advice online, groups advising with RSPCA involvement advise never giving them access. They can see a report but have no right to vet files.


They can ring up every week for the next 10 years if they wanted.


I wouldnt be able to snap pictures of someone's animal and then demand their owner gives me access to their vets because I think there is something wrong.

They have the same entitlement to them records as anyone else off the street

I am completely with you and sympathise massively here. However even though you're right - you shouldn't have to - if you engage this attitude then there's a chance you may lose your dog; as infuriating as it may be.

I would do what they ask and insist the RSPCA pay for it!!

[Theunamedcat]

Contact your vet for advice ask them.if they will do a check and invoice the rspca

[CervixHaver]

It's similarly infuriating to when my electric wing mirror was swiped off by some random driver who failed to stop. I had to either pay £500 for a new one or pay £300 excess and have my premiums shoot up.

I said exactly the same as you - why should I have to? It wasn't my fault at all. I'd done nothing wrong, it was someone else's actions.
However if I wanted my car to be road legal, I had to pay out and get it sorted.

[OnkasBigMoka]

Just on the point about legality of putting a camera up. If it is pointing at your front garden then you will be alright from a legal perspective. Tapo cameras are really neat little devices and not very expensive and you can view them from your phone if you need to .

[KungFuPandaWorksOut20]

@CervixHaver

It's similarly infuriating to when my electric wing mirror was swiped off by some random driver who failed to stop. I had to either pay £500 for a new one or pay £300 excess and have my premiums shoot up.

I said exactly the same as you - why should I have to? It wasn't my fault at all. I'd done nothing wrong, it was someone else's actions.
However if I wanted my car to be road legal, I had to pay out and get it sorted.

Don't really think that's a valid comparison in all honesty. That's why you have insurance. RSPCA are a charity and can't enforce much unless they bring the police which means needing a warrant.

[HandfulofDust]

I wouldn't be annoyed in the first case, it's nice someone was concerned about the animal.ican totally see why you're annoyed now though, it's ridiculous.

[Loveitloveitloveit]

How can you resist the urge to set a trap for them? I’d be pretending I’d gone out and sat watching from a distance to figure out who it is

[MegaClutterSlut]

Glad you ordered a camera. I'd be well pissed off in your situation. Hope you catch the arseholes, make sure you update

[Totallydefeated]

Will the RSPCA pay for the vet visit they are asking for, and compensate you for loss or working time to do the appointment? I’d tell them I’d be prepared to take him to the vet on that basis, otherwise no dice. Then they’re on the hook, either they really do think the animal might be in danger, in which case of course they pay up. OR they don’t really believe he’s in danger, in which case they must immediately stop their harassment of you.

[KungFuPandaWorksOut20]

@Loveitloveitloveit

How can you resist the urge to set a trap for them? I’d be pretending I’d gone out and sat watching from a distance to figure out who it is

I have tried that and nobody appeared.


I'm getting paranoid about it now. I'm looking at everyone as suspects, neighbours, random passerby and even the post lady! Literally everybody is getting side eyed off me.

[Theunamedcat]

I would put up a life size poster of the dog and let them report away just so you can peel it away infront of the rspca

And then hit them with the vet report saying he is fine

[TillyTopper]

I'd put a camera up in my garden and see who is snooping on me if I were you. They must stop and look and be fairly close to take a photo so you should get a good shot of them.

I'd also take lots of pics of my dog outside, running around, sniffing etc. over time (just when you are on your normal walk). That way you'll have a record of your dogs and activities and him/her not looking lethargic. Seems crazy - especially if he's sunbathing he will be chilling.

[RandomMess]

I would be so cross!!!

My DDog lays in the sun as much as possible mornings are spent on the bed next to the window (bungalow) until the sun moves to another room. The thought of someone taking photos and harassing us

DCat is more sensible and at least alternates between sun and shade.

[RandomMess]

You can get one way mirror privacy film, that would probably still let the sun in.

[Roominmyhouse]

@RandomMess

You can get one way mirror privacy film, that would probably still let the sun in.

I was just about to suggest this!

RSPCA piss me off, they’ll look into you when you aren’t doing anything wrong but could give a shit about the house we’ve reported multiple times where they have 5/6 dogs tied up in their garden on very short ropes. The dogs bark constantly and really do not seem happy.

[MiddlesexGirl]

Yep. Video evidence of DDog doing happy doggy things. Why subject the poor boy to a possibly stressful vet trip for the benefit of some crazy person and a stats obsessed RSPCA worker who should know better?