To think this is really cruel?

[RosieGuacamosie]

My friend got a lockdown puppy last summer and is now having to go back to work in the office and is planning to leave her dog in a crate whilst she’s at work. I offered her the details of my dog Walker but at £15/day apparently that’s too expensive. I understand £75 a week is a lot of money but surely that should have been thought of at the time she got the dog?

I think it’s bad enough leaving a dog in the kitchen for 8 hours on it’s own, but to leave it in a crate seems extra cruel.

Am I being precious and the dog will actually sleep most of the time which is what everyone else seems to be saying? Friend pointed out it’s no different to leaving the dog downstairs whilst she sleeps for 8 hours.

She’s an idiot op I couldn’t be friends with her if she did that
How does she know her dog will be fine enclosed in a crate all day - will it have space to barely move? Does she have a dog cam so she can monitor it?
She could look at borrow my doggy if she’s unwilling to pay someone

We had to crate our dog when little as we were worried she would get splinters in her throat from chewing the skirting boards.... and she was fine.... when we stopped crating her she would retreat to the crate when she was worried as it became her safe place.... now we don’t bother and collapsed in her crate and packed it away... but if there are raised voices she retreats to her the spot the cage was in.... of course our dog is not large and sleeps pretty much all day anyway... and has a big garden to run around in when we are home

8 hours is a long time. She really needs to get a dog walker. I used one when I was at uni. Yes, they cost money but the dog's welfare is hugely important. There are plenty of other expenses that could arise when having a dog.
8 hours in a crate is cruel. If the dog messes, they will be laying in it. My own dog was crate trained (and when she was older, I donated it to a rescue). She was left in it overnight, and 4 hours at the absolute most in the day (and not often at all). They can be useful as a tool, and also serve as a safe space for the dog to retreat to.
Yes, dogs will sleep if left alone and bored.... but if they have run of the house, they can pop up to bed, have a stretch in the kitchen, throw their toys about and entertain themselves... just potter about etc. In a crate, there is barely enough room to turn around.
I don't think RSCPA would do much. If the dog is fed and watered, they most likely wont do much.

Sadly the RSPCA will not do anything unless it’s a serious case of neglect with inadequate shelter, food or water. However, I have a Cockapoo and I know that they will end up with behavioural issues leaving it locked in a crate for that length of time. There will be hundreds of dogs in this position now, it makes me really cross that people got puppies in lockdown without thinking about what they were going to do when they returned to work. The dog needs rehoming to someone who actually thinks of their pets as a member of the family.

She should allow the dog to be rehomed where it’ll be properly cared for. That’s absolute cruelty.

I would love a dog but can't as I never know where I'll be working next. I wouldn't get a dog if I couldn't spend much time with it. Your friend is selfish and cruel.

I take it she thinks her dog won’t need the toilet for 8 hours! No dog will sleep all day.

She wouldn't be my friend for long. Not after I told her exactly what I thought of her. Cruel vile person.

Cruel to leave in crate totalling 16 hours. Don't phone RSPCA. They are totally useless as stated. To be honest I would tell her it’s cruel. Phone agent and ask for their advice on who to report it to.

This trend for putting dogs in a crate is, in my view, cruel and unnecessary. I expect it's OK for an hour or so for specific reasons but for hours on end - definitely not.

I have not been very impressed with the RSPCA when I have called them out for, firstly, a stray and poorly cat found in my garden. The person who collected it was saying almost straight away that it would probably have to be put to sleep. Once I called them out to capture a fox that was clearly unwell with mange. The bloke trying to catch it was absolutely useless. However, I don't know what else you can do other than report it to them. Or is there any other organisation that deals with this sort of issue? Poor dog.

She shouldn’t have a dog it’s so cruel. She needs reporting. Poor dog 😢

Stupid fucking woman! Yes she’s cruel. With a bit of luck the dog will go mental and drive her crazy every night when she comes home and she’ll quickly rehome it before much damage is done. And I hope the thoughtless cow doesn’t get another.

YANBU. This is horrible and cruel. But the question is, who do you report this to? I have a next door neighbour who leaves their dog alone all day from before 8am until 5.15pm Monday to Friday, no dog sitter or visits whatsoever. But I’m reliably told the RSPCA won’t do a thing so don’t know who to report them to.

Whilst I wouldn't go as far as to say that this is cruelty to animals, she's not giving the poor dog a very nice life.....

Could she maybe maybe at least give it the kitchen to roam around in, and perhaps pop in at lunchtime to let it outside?

Ultimately I'm not sure there is much you can do apart from tell her your view.

I suspect that this woman just doesn't know much about dogs. Doubt she is being intentionally cruel....

I feared stories like this when it emerged millions of people were getting lockdown puppies. They are bigger commitment than children. At least they go to school for several hours a day! Dogs live for up to 16 years. They can’t be caged all day and night. Would your frankly imbecilic friend be happy not to have a wee for 16 hours a day? Tell her to grow up, rehome the dog and buy a cuddly toy. Angry and sad about this.

Cats are fine to be left but dogs are pack animals and need company. I'm not one to anthropomorphise animals, but leaving a dog for a whole working day like this is a bit like leaving a toddler. They don't know you are coming home and they become very stressed.
Every animal welfare organisation would tell you that dogs should never be left for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. This is cruel.

Sorry should read vet.🙄

If you report it to the rspca they'll jump at the chance to get their hands on an expensive dog because they'll be able to sell it on for a decent price!

Utterly reprehensible and cruel.

She should pay for doggy day care or relinquish the dog to a rescue.

Could you convince her to buy a camera? So she can see what it gets up to during the day?

Any chance you can convince her to buy a L or XL crate if she must go ahead with her plan?

Yet another case where the dog would be better off being rehomed. Poor puppy 😪

RSPCA are useless! Try contacting your local dog warden OP.

She could also get a puppy pen which would give it a bit more space.

Yes a large puppy pen is a good suggestion to make to her.