to be annoyed about this situation with neighbour and her dog?

[CantGetBackToSleep]

I’m lying awake because I don’t know what to do about this situation.

On Sunday our neighbour came to see us visibly upset. Her mum had been taken into hospital and she had been told to get there asap. Her mum lives in Scotland and we are in the South of England so she was panicking about getting there on time and also about who would look after her dog. We helped her book a flight as she was in a state shaking and in no state to think properly. She asked if we could have her dog for a few days. Reluctantly we agreed but said we were leaving to go on holiday on Friday evening so she would need to make other arrangements by Friday morning for him. We went and collected the dog and he has been with us since. We have our own dogs and they are all getting on well.

Our neighbour text me on Monday to say her mum had died. We had a brief text conversation and obviously I said how sorry I was to hear about her mum.

I text her on Wednesday morning to say that I know she has a lot to deal with but we really need to know what she’s doing about her dog as we are due to go away. I didn’t hear anything so I text her again yesterday to ask what she wanted us to do with the dog and got a text from another of her relatives from her phone saying our neighbour is very upset and isn’t in the right place to sort this out. I replied to say I understood but that when we agreed to have the dog, it was on the condition that she made other arrangements for the dog by Friday morning as we are due to go on holiday. I didn’t get a reply. I tried to call last night but it went to voicemail. I had already called our nearest boarding kennels who do have space so I told her on the voicemail that I could drop him at kennels but she needs to give them her payment details. I still haven’t had a reply from my neighbour.

What do we do? I’ve asked other neighbours and they won’t have him. My parents are having our dogs while we are away but are not willing to take the neighbours dog as well.

A friend has suggested I drop him at our local vets which is the vet my neighbour uses but I don’t think they would be ok with that. Another friend said if it comes to it to call the rspca, explain the situation and say he’s basically been abandoned.

I’m so stressed. I know my neighbour has lost her mum but we are not missing our holiday.

You can’t force someone to hold onto a dog that isn’t theirs

I don’t think duty of care applies to dogs that aren’t yours and have nothing to do with you. She could just open the door and let it out into the street. I don’t think she should, it could be dangerous more than anything but we don’t need to be treating this like an in loco parentis situation because it isn’t

Id take him to the council dog pound

This is very sad. I'd kennel the dog, at my own expense, and hope that she had the morals and good sense to repay me. If not, count it as a loss because it's not the dogs fault and chalk the whole experience up to no good deed goes unpunished. It's a sorry state of affairs, OP!

There's extenuating circumstances here and legal obligations to follow. The dog is now abandoned and considered a stray.

"If you have found a stray dog and would like to look after it whilst attempts to find an owner are made, then you must still report this to us. Our provider will discuss with you the options and legal requirements in relation to this, which may include a request for you to surrender the dog, to our provider so initial checks can be made."

What a crap pet owner, I can’t believe she couldn’t take 5 minutes to phone you!

I presume you have left now? What have you done?

Please dont' feel bad at all Op you did her a huge favour.

She is being incredibly irresponsible and clearly hoping you will just keep looking after him or resolve it yourself.

It would take her 10 minutes to call you and make sure her dog is okay!

Being a pet owner comes with responsibility - even in times of stress.

Drop it at the vets and report as abandoned. Tell them the owner has ceased communication with you and you have no idea if and when she will return. I don’t see how you could pay for kennels anyway most want details of vaccinations, registered vets, microchip and insurance. You usually have to sign stuff to say what they are allowed to do in terms of vet treatments etc Whig as you are not the owner can’t sign and agree to.

I’m sure your neighbour is grieving but I don’t know many dog owners that wouldn’t be beside themselves worrying about the dog in this situation. Personally I think she is taking advantage and will happily take the piss.

How's it going @CantGetBackToSleep Did you manage to solve the issue? Is the dog OK? Did you manage to get away?

There's no way she isn't capable of sending payment to the kennels when you've been good enough to help.

that poor bloody dog.

Thats not lying she has left a message and texted, OP has said so in her post

Hope you have got something sorted Op.

She must be going through a tough time especially if it was unexpected but she's had enough time & messages to reply/get something organised.

Absolutely this.
Awful behaviour and even bereavement is no excuse for this.
I certainly wouldn't trust her to pay the kennel fees.
Into her vet and let him deal with.
I wouldn't do another thing for someone like this causing you so much stress.

Interesting she turned to you and not one friend would help.
Says so much.

Of course not but it’s not the OP’s dog and not her problem or responsibility. If it gets put down it frankly serves the owner right.

Poor dog. How odd of this woman’s friend to feel ‘helpful’ enough to contact you and tell you her friend can’t deal with it right now but not helpful enough to try and deal with it on her friends behalf

Can you look at social media/local community groups to see if anyone is willing to help?

Facebook - if she's on Facebook do you recognise local people in friends list that may be friends.

Is there a local community support/spotted page that you could ask if there's anyone prepared to help. Name your neighbour and ask for any of her friends to contact you ASAP as she needs help.

Would any other neighbours be will to help?

Bullshit. Plenty of people lose parents & as sad as it is, you don’t get to abandon your dependents! We still have to look after our children and pets. You’ve done nothing wrong OP and she’s abused your kindness. Poor dog!

What a nightmare and an awful stress before your holiday.

Your neighbour is so irresponsible!

I am surprised how many posters are saying the vets would take the dog. I am not sure they are under any obligation to do so. Similarly, you can't just drop it off at a rescue. If they are full they are full (and some are foster based and don't even have premises)!

In your shoes I would be phoning the neighbour and if she doesn't answer the person who gave you a hard time for trying to contact her before. Keep phoning. Texting and waiting is no good when you are running out of time. Do you have a friend or neighbour who could help? Ideally, you would take it to your parents with your two. What are their reservations? 3 dogs isn't much different to 2 if they get on.

The dog is at the vet and they said they would scan and contact his owner if he has a chip. One of the receptionists recognised him so they know the owner is a customer. I’ve blocked my neighbours number so she can’t contact me to complain. Thanks for all the advice.

Do you have a key to her house? If so I would pop the dog inside with good amd water and send her a message to say he is at her house and she needs to sort something out, then I would go on holiday without a second thought!

Great update. Hope you all have a lovely holiday.

Poor dog, and poor you for having these problems thrust on you. Hope that something can be sorted for the dog and hope you enjoy your holiday. Your horrible neighbour doesnt deserve to have a loving dog.

You were very kind to someone in need, you should never feel stupid for that.

Honestly if someone showed me this kindness I would be eternally grateful.

She is being awful.
I know she’s going through a lot but you wouldn’t just not pick your kids up from school and leave them stranded.
You still have some use of your brain.

You have given her more than enough time.

I would not contact her again.
If it gets to 12, I would ring the dog warden and claim you have found the dog as a stray and that you can’t take the dog in as you’re going away/allergic/dogs aren’t dog friendly or something.
The owner will have a few days to go and claim ownership of the dog.