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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:
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SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 10:32

@KungFuPandaWorksOut20

Picked the camera up now! I'm really hesitant to ring the police incase they think I'm trying to bypass the RSPCA if that makes sense. They might just hear RSPCA and not take me seriously about feeling harassed and spied on.
Rather than rspca put emphasis on the fact that someon is obviously using them to harass you. Emphasise that someone comes into your garden to take the photo and you are worried it might escalate into either theft or damage. Ask them what would they advise.

They might either say "sorry, nothing" or give you some tips and log it

chaosrabbitland · 18/04/2021 10:41

@KungFuPandaWorksOut20

Picked the camera up now! I'm really hesitant to ring the police incase they think I'm trying to bypass the RSPCA if that makes sense. They might just hear RSPCA and not take me seriously about feeling harassed and spied on.
no i would ring them , explain everything to them , cover yourself , iv had to ring the police about a lad that was harrassing my dd on the bus after school and they were great , its not just a phone call he or she is making , they are tresspassing on your garden , hovering about outside the window and tapping on it , and taking close up pics as well we can assume , im betting they are making sure you and hubby arent about in sight before they are creeping up as well , it is harrassement that is plain , the rscpa officer has seen the dog and had no worries , its not like they said they had concerns and would monitor it , the officer really has in not so many words addmited to you that they are aware its malicious , they just havent got the backbone to bloody well say so to the complanaint
funnylittlefloozie · 18/04/2021 10:48

I would ring the police for advice. Someone is clearly using the rspca as a third party for harassment, and that's an offence.

FridayNightAtTheBronze · 18/04/2021 10:53

I would get a general check up with my Vet, provide the RSPCA with the report and be done with it. Once they have an actual report that the dog is healthy they can close the case, otherwise this could keep going.

I know you shouldn't have to, but it's probably the quickest and easiest way of putting a stop to the whole saga.

KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 18/04/2021 11:00

@FridayNightAtTheBronze

I would get a general check up with my Vet, provide the RSPCA with the report and be done with it. Once they have an actual report that the dog is healthy they can close the case, otherwise this could keep going.

I know you shouldn't have to, but it's probably the quickest and easiest way of putting a stop to the whole saga.

We are booking him into the vets but the earliest appointment we can get is just over 2 weeks away. That's a long time for the person to be snapping more photos and ringing the RSPCA. It's like they have them on speed dial!
OP posts:
Butwasitherdriveway · 18/04/2021 11:03

Get CCTV .

Poor you this sounds awful.

Butwasitherdriveway · 18/04/2021 11:04

@funnylittlefloozie

I would ring the police for advice. Someone is clearly using the rspca as a third party for harassment, and that's an offence.
So would I.
chaosrabbitland · 18/04/2021 11:04

id still be wanting to know who the hell it is doing this anyway, even if i did take the dog to the vet to get the rspca off my back , its unsettling and unnerving and this weirdo could then start on someone else , i really think they need dealing with via the police

BlackCatShadow · 18/04/2021 11:14

This is bonkers! Loads of animals like sleeping in the sunlight. It's perfectly normal behaviour.

I think you are doing the right thing in getting the vet's report and getting a camera. I hope you can catch who is doing it and give them a piece of your mind.

Aprilshowersandhail · 18/04/2021 11:16

Male a sign also
Smile you are on cctv.

Butwasitherdriveway · 18/04/2021 11:20

I would be making a sign saying Rover is sleeping, please do not disturb, if you have any concerns please feel free to knock on my door. Any further harassment will be reported to the police. You are on CCTV .

But I'm petty

DazzlingHaze · 18/04/2021 11:27

I'm so angry for you, OP! I would be saying to the RSPCA you're happy to take your dog to the vet but enquire whether it'll be them or the person reporting that will be covering the cost of the appointment. It's £40 just to be seen at my vet and I wouldn't be happy to pay that when my pet is in perfect health!!

I would absolutely phone the police too. Just explain the entire situation and really emphasise the fact that the person reporting you has trespassed on your property multiple times and has not only been looking in the window but also taking photographs! If this escalates it'll be good that they're already aware of the situation and have your side of things and they may be able to give advice.

iMatter · 18/04/2021 11:40

@funnylittlefloozie

I would ring the police for advice. Someone is clearly using the rspca as a third party for harassment, and that's an offence.

Agree with this entirely

Peanutbutterandbananatoastie · 18/04/2021 12:03

Hmm is there any chance that the ‘concerned citizen’ has posted on Facebook or other sm about this? A friend of mine had someone maliciously reporting her to the RSPCA, they reported back to the original person that everything was ok, and then person posted lies on Facebook about my friend’s treatment of the animal. After that random Facebook friends of the idiot were phoning the RSPCA on my friend when they had never seen the animal and had nothing to go on but a rumour. Could this be what has happened with you?

SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 12:06

Plot twist. It's the RSVP woman🙈

SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 12:08

Or someone who wants that dog and is hoping they can adopt it after😱

Why steal a dog, when you can get RSVP do it for you😱

Just joking.
Maybe....

KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 18/04/2021 12:23

@Peanutbutterandbananatoastie

Hmm is there any chance that the ‘concerned citizen’ has posted on Facebook or other sm about this? A friend of mine had someone maliciously reporting her to the RSPCA, they reported back to the original person that everything was ok, and then person posted lies on Facebook about my friend’s treatment of the animal. After that random Facebook friends of the idiot were phoning the RSPCA on my friend when they had never seen the animal and had nothing to go on but a rumour. Could this be what has happened with you?
I have looked on our local community page thinking they could have done this, but had no luck so far!

I don't know if it's a neighbour or a busy body, but I'm just horrified and scared at the thought of someone peering through my window.

OP posts:
SourMilkGhyll · 18/04/2021 12:59

Get the camera up and running and start sleuthing!

BlueDahlia69 · 18/04/2021 13:05

this is awful OP.. I agree its the Community group doing this..

is there no other Vet you can see... explain the reasons and urgency.

30mph · 18/04/2021 13:24

Can't you put a large humorous sign in your window? "I am not dead or ill! I just like sleeping here!" Then take your own photo and put it on the community pages.

greeneyedlulu · 18/04/2021 13:31

Wow this sounds crazy. If not be happy about someone taking photos of my house like that. However, I would be tempted to put an advert in the window next to the dog for taxidermy. Hope you find out whose doing this though.

greeneyedlulu · 18/04/2021 13:35

I'd

CastleCrasher · 18/04/2021 13:56

Hope your camera catches them for you op. Definitely wouldn't be cooperating further with RSPCA. I'd send them a letter stating that their own staff have seen the dog, agreed that it is fine and that any further contact will be considered harassment.

JamieFrasersAuntie · 18/04/2021 14:17

I would do a data request to the rspca. You're entitled to all information any organisation holds about you.

I wouldn't put the camera on the windowsill, you don't want them seeing it.

Have you asked your neighbours if they've seen anyone on your property?

KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 18/04/2021 14:30

@JamieFrasersAuntie

I would do a data request to the rspca. You're entitled to all information any organisation holds about you.

I wouldn't put the camera on the windowsill, you don't want them seeing it.

Have you asked your neighbours if they've seen anyone on your property?

From the RSPCA website in regards to a data request.

As the requester, it is your responsibility to make your case for disclosure, provide strong evidence and explain how the information we provide will support your case. There is usually no obligation on the RSPCA to disclose, so the more context you provide, the easier it will be to conclude that disclosure is necessary

OP posts: