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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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8
BlueDahlia69 · 18/04/2021 14:38

did you reconsider phoning 101 OP 🌸

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 18/04/2021 15:19

This to me indicates its malicious but genuinely have no idea why its being done.

It's also relentless. Someone is really going out of their way to harass you. I don't want to alarm you but be vigilant. It's good that you've already got monitoring equipment so hopefully this will reveal who is behind this campaign.

Unfortunately a request for information from the RSPCA seems unlikely to yield very much at this point in time. Frustratingly, they are immune from the FOI requests you can make to the police and other official bodies for information they hold about you. So it would seem that unless you have a paper trail in place evidencing a concerted campaign of harassment, at present this looks like a blind alley.

Next step is to keep a sharp eye on your property. If your equipment does pick up who it is, report this immediately to the police with a brief outline of your concerns. If you recognise that person, I'd also contact a solicitor and have them send a 'cease and desist' letter. Sometimes this alone is enough to scare this type of person off. They're too cowardly to confront you so obviously don't want you knowing who it is. Keep a log of events showing the dates and times, in a non-spiral bound notebook where pages can't be easily torn out. The sooner you can get this on record with the police, the better, but having some evidence of the pattern of harassment should strengthen your case and appear less like somebody trying to slither out of the RSPCA's firing line.

There truly are some malicious bastards out there, OP. The COVID pandemic seems to have brought out an escalation of this kind of behaviour by sanctimonious twats who appoint themselves as policers of other people's morality and behaviour.

I despite spiteful busybodies like this. Hope you find out who it is and clobber them through every legal means at your disposal. Flowers

Pompom2367 · 18/04/2021 16:08

Op Definitely get cameras installed have you had any issues with neighbors?

KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 18/04/2021 16:44

The camera is up, and we have decided to hide it for the first few days in the hopes of catching the culprit! It sends notifications everything someone walks past the window Grin shouldn't be too long until I uncover who it is!

OP posts:
Moondust001 · 18/04/2021 16:51

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!
I would suggest you speak to the vet as a matter of urgency and explain the situation and your concerns about spying and harassment. If your vet is anything like mine, they'll find time to see him both to put your mind at rest and also to ensure the dogs welfare.

BlueDahlia69 · 18/04/2021 16:52

omg Im so invested in you catching this culprit OP 🎉

good luck ☺️

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 18/04/2021 16:56

@KungFuPandaWorksOut20 - could you put a post on your community page, with a picture of your dog sunbathing in the window, and say that he is perfectly healthy, and just loves lying stock still in the sunshine. Say that you have been reported to the RSPCA for neglecting your pet, but an inspector has seen the dog and knows he is 100% fine - just lazy. And ask that whoever is reporting you stops wasting the RSPCA’s time and colluding in your harassment.

PanamaPattie · 18/04/2021 17:01

👀

ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/04/2021 17:04

Glad to hear the camera is set up.

I think phoning the non-emergency police line might be a good idea, just to give them a heads-up that you're having this problem. They'll log it & if anything else happens your side of things (i.e. the facts) will already be there. You can also ask them for advice.

Don't worry too much about what they'll think of you. I had those worries when I spoke to a policewoman about my narcissistic neighbour, & was so relieved when she said, "We've dealt with a few of those sort of people in this area". That she knew what sort of people they were & that she didn't regard me as being nuts or in the wrong was a great morale booster!

It occurs to me (in case it makes you feel better) that perhaps the photos were taken from the street using a zoom. Maybe the person hasn't actually been on your property. They're still wrong, though. That's a given.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 17:05

😁

AIBU in feeling harassed?
AnotherKrampus · 18/04/2021 17:22

Gawd, I would be livid in your case! All the more though, as the RSPCA do naff all in many serious cases, especially in the case of how many greyhounds are kept in appalling conditions in racing kennels. Our greyhounds take daily power naps of 18 hours plus, their legs akimbo, looking like giant dead cockroaches. With the older one, I have been known to hold a mirror to her mouth and check for vital signs because she sleeps so deeply and can't be arsed to even open her eyes.

2bazookas · 18/04/2021 17:26

I would make a formal written complaint to the police that someone has harassed you with four fake calls to the RSPCA, and ask them to get the details of the complainant from the RSPCA. I would copy the complaint to your MP . and ask him/her to "discuss" with the RSPCA the claim that they "have to" follow up over and over what they know are fake complaints. Call local press and invite them to investigate/run the story.

Did the RSPCA staff come in a marked RSPCA v van, wearing uniform. . and show ID? Have you checked the phone directory to get RSPCA genuine number to contact them? Are you quite sure this isn't some dog-theft scam?

I cannot believe they expect the innocent owner of a healthy dog, to run up a vet bill for a checkup (and blood test to verify no drugs).
Something about this story absolutely stinks of fraud.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 17:33

Make sure all complaints are sent on personalised stationery with pic of your dog in the window

Member984815 · 18/04/2021 18:03

I'd be so stressed by this , I hope you do report it

KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 18/04/2021 18:11

@2bazookas

I would make a formal written complaint to the police that someone has harassed you with four fake calls to the RSPCA, and ask them to get the details of the complainant from the RSPCA. I would copy the complaint to your MP . and ask him/her to "discuss" with the RSPCA the claim that they "have to" follow up over and over what they know are fake complaints. Call local press and invite them to investigate/run the story.

Did the RSPCA staff come in a marked RSPCA v van, wearing uniform. . and show ID? Have you checked the phone directory to get RSPCA genuine number to contact them? Are you quite sure this isn't some dog-theft scam?

I cannot believe they expect the innocent owner of a healthy dog, to run up a vet bill for a checkup (and blood test to verify no drugs).
Something about this story absolutely stinks of fraud.

Definitely RSPCA, unfortunately. In all honesty as much as I love Chopsy, I don't know why anyone would plot to steal him. He is extremely lazy, and not a "popular" breed.
OP posts:
KungFuPandaWorksOut20 · 18/04/2021 18:13

@AnotherKrampus

Gawd, I would be livid in your case! All the more though, as the RSPCA do naff all in many serious cases, especially in the case of how many greyhounds are kept in appalling conditions in racing kennels. Our greyhounds take daily power naps of 18 hours plus, their legs akimbo, looking like giant dead cockroaches. With the older one, I have been known to hold a mirror to her mouth and check for vital signs because she sleeps so deeply and can't be arsed to even open her eyes.
My brother has a lurcher, and had a visit off RSPCA few years back. Apparently his dog was skin and bones. The RSPCA person had no clue what breed the dog was but suggested bulking it up especially on its hips. My brother asked did he recommend certain exercises or particular food so his dog can achieve that 😂
OP posts:
funnylittlefloozie · 18/04/2021 20:26

MarieIVanArkleStinks doyou know why the RSPCA is somehow immune from FoIA requests? That seems ridiculous!

Iyland · 18/04/2021 20:47

Have you explained the situation to your vet? They may be able to squeeze you in with a nurse for a quick check up

Still1nLove · 18/04/2021 20:53

I hope you get video footage soon of whoever is trespassing on your property

SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 21:03

Disclousure request is different to FOI request. I had a google and you could try this
www.rspca.org.uk/-/access-to-your-information-and-correction#:~:text=You%20can%20email%20the%20RSPCA,other%20general%20questions%20or%20concerns.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 18/04/2021 21:05

I once made this request to one solicitors after suspecting they leaked my data (fraud with same spelling mistake they did) and got gigantic envelope with everything what mentioned me even what looked like internal comms between solicitor and paralegal

EnjoyingTheSilence · 18/04/2021 21:15

Glad you’ve got a camera set up. What kind of vets are they using that can tell from a photo that a dog is ill rather than sleeping? Ridiculous

Totallydefeated · 18/04/2021 22:37

I think we all want to know the contact details of this genius vet, who can make diagnoses on the basis of photos. Sounds like the ‘House’ of the veterinary world. Noel the Supervet better watch his back - he’s clearly got competition.

Hope you catch the nasty bastard on your camera, OP. What a horrible thing to be going through.

GrandTheftWalrus · 18/04/2021 23:28

Hope you catch who is doing it

GizmoBasil · 18/04/2021 23:39

Honestly, RSPCA do fuck all for genuine, awful cases of neglect and yet spend useless amounts of time on this nonsense.

Hope you find the culprit soon OP. What a nightmare Flowers