NEED QUICK ADVICE! - Neighbour’s Dog Alone

[PolarBear559]

My neighbour frequently stays out for the night and leaves the dog at home alone. I don’t know exactly how long for but I know for certain one evening the dog was left alone from around 7pm until around 11am the following morning.

I’ve just found out my neighbour has gone on holiday and left the dog at home! Someone is popping in, but not for very long. All I can think about is how hot it is and how there’s no airflow in the house, or if it needs to go to the toilet, or runs out of water, or even just the poor thing having no interaction, exercise or company!

Please offer some advice on whether I should do anything about this and if so, what’s the best thing to do?

Thanks in advance x

The RSPCA will do nothing as it’s being fed and let out. They are only interested if the can go to a house with a film crew!

@Horserider5678 as has been pointed out to me so in another post I suggested the OP just rings for advice, rather than doing nothing.

We have tried, they say understand, they will do something and then don’t. Then we get the “if you live next to people you will hear noise if you don’t like it move” and cannot fathom (or wish to ignore) why. Today however Nan turned up and stayed for an hour. Maybe they read the post!

Dogs exist purely to have their needs met, yes they will give you all the love in the world and greet you like they've not seen you in a year after you've been in the supermarket for an hour blah blah blah but from the second they are born to the second they take their last breath they are needy. They need everything. They are probably even needier than a child because at least a child grows into an independent adult. Dogs need love, attention, grooming, entertainment, walking, nurture, exercise, training, toys, food, water, medical attention, time, effort and money. For their WHOLE life.

If you're not a dog person and you can't be arsed with it? Simple. Don't fucking have one. I say this as a non dog lover who was driven absolutely up the wall by a dickhead neighbour who thought they could train a GSP to be a fucking hamster to fit in with their own lifestyle.

The cruelty, arrogance and complete stupidity never ceases to amaze me. Bastards.

Why not, when your neighbour returns from holiday offer to walk the dog (for cash/bottle of wine/other treat), or dob her boyfriend in - perhaps he promised to walk it everyday. Or even offer to 'dogshare' - you can have the pleasure of the dogs company without actually owning it.
What breed of dog is it? Does it bark a lot or are you just concerned about its welfare? Perhaps the dog is old and just prefers it's own company.
In this hot weather most dogs are happy with short potters and spend the rest of the time sleeping. My whippet certainly does!
Remember although this is not ideal for any dog it is not a child.

Yes, that's quite a bit of minimising of the dog owner's conduct, on this thread.

I didn’t mean to “talk to someone like trash”. As soon as someone mentioned how my message came across, I apologised immediately and said it wasn’t intentional - it was a rushed message. It’s a shame though that I’m still being dug out for it even after I’ve said sorry.

As for the dog, I don’t know why it’s being assumed that I hadn’t got enough information? Or that I’d only been aware for 2 hours? Do you not think I’ve been trying to figure out what to do prior to making this post?

I know the partner isn’t staying with the dog as they are allergic to it. I know the dog has been left overnight already and no one stayed there. I posted on here when I was certain the dog had been left alone in the house. As I’ve mentioned, there’s doorbell footage backing things up too. I also know they hadn’t “gone to work or shopping etc” because they are arriving at the house, letting the dog outside briefly, then leaving again. Staying no longer than 15 minutes. It was monitored all day yesterday and there was one visit in the morning for 10-15 mins and one on the evening for 10 minutes. Nothing this morning yet, so as it stands the dog has been alone for 13 hours and counting.

I know a lot of opinions have been that the RSPCA won’t be interested if the general needs are being met, but I can’t believe they don’t care about the psychological and social needs of the dog! It’s just so sad they don’t have a voice and when you speak for them it’s not taken seriously 😔

It’s a 14 month old puppy. I did offer to go in and let it outside when I realised it was being left on its own overnight and I was told “it’s ok, it’s just had a long walk etc but thank you for the offer”…so I have tried unfortunately. I also couldn’t take the dog in as their dog snaps at mine so it wouldn’t be fair on my dog. Good suggestion though and thanks for the advice!

Would I leave a dog alone? No, but It's probably having a good life compared to all the animals killed to feed it.

OP, just remember you are showing the best side of humanity. At least that poor little dog has got you looking out for it. You can only do what you feel best. I still stick by ringing the RSPCA, and I hope you did and was able to get something from for it. At least they are aware. I work with children, and before people shoot me down and say well animals are different (yes, I get it) but if there is ever any concern with safeguarding no matter how small, to do nothing is just been equally as complicit. Animals don’t have a voice.
As I said before in an earlier post well done you for looking out for this poor little pup, I would be doing exactly the same.

I know a lot of opinions have been that the RSPCA won’t be interested if the general needs are being met, but I can’t believe they don’t care about the psychological and social needs of the dog

It's not that they don't care, it's that they don't have the power to do anything. At the end of the day, they're "just" a charity - they don't have any legal standing unless backed up by the police. They can gather evidence, take photos, leave notes etc. but they can't actually remove a dog unless their life is directly in danger. It's a bit like when dogs are locked in hot cars - the police are the only ones with the power to (legally) smash windows. The RSPCA can only advise.

Oh, do shut up.