should I call the RSPCA

[besidetheseaside]

Over the past couple of weeks I've heard a dog barking and whimpering, almost squealing, in the garden of the house across the road.
I've never had a dog and don't know much about them, but it sounds in distress to me. Would it be OTT to contact someone about it? I don't know the people who live there, not even to recognise them on the street

yes call them, if they inspect and there's nothing wrong they won't mind.

Can you look over the fence?

I'd call them actually, esp. in this weather.

id knock on door and ask if everythings ok,say youve heard noises.

thanks. I can't see into the garden, hugely tall leylandii, which i've tried to peer through but to no avail
A bit too cowardly to go knocking on doors, but I think I'll call someone and see if they think it's worth investigating.

I'd be very worried if I heard that. I'm a dog lover and have two of my own. It sounds as though the dog may have sustained an injury which has gone untreated. Barking is quite normal, one of mine barks a lot when she's outside (my neigbours love me ) whimpering can be not too much to worry about either, mine whimper when they want to come in, but the squealing doesn't sound quite right. You're not a 'dog person' and you thought it sounded distressed. Poor thing. Let us know if you hear of any outcome.

It would be a brave move to knock on the door and ask if the dog is okay, and I can understand you not wanting to, but the reception you get, body language etc may be indicative as to whether all is not well.

any update?

You can call them and they have to send an inspector to investigate - however their powers are limited and they may not be able to do much if the owners are not co-operative unless they then get court orders for access etc. To get such orders they need evidence. If they got no response from the property they could put a seal across the door and see if it is broken over 24hrs - if not then they have a case to get in to rescue the dog as abandoned.

If you did call though you would be able to remain anonymous so hopefully that reassures you to call. Even if they dog is just barking for attention, assuming the inspector gets access to the dog they will be able to look at things like shelter available, water available, general condition etc. It is not against the law to keep a dog outside, but they must have adequate shelter etc.

It may be nothing but then I would hate to see a dog suffer that something could have been done for.

I think an important question here would be how long the dog whimpers for. I have a little Mrs Whimper, she whimpers when she needs to go out, when she needs to come in, when she needs a cuddle, when she feels she fancy a bit of whatever you are cooking at the moment, or even when she needs to go downstairs and the other dog is "blocking" one of the steps. Sometimes I leave her to whimper at content (as long as she is not outside bothering the neighbours) on the advice of the dog trainer, aparently the whimper came from her need to be sure I remained well trained to do as she pleased on her whimpery commands!