Abuse about reporting ill dog

[Claire926]

I have been walking a dog through a charity for a woman which the charity owns the dog. I reported to the charity multiple times about the dogs red blood shot pus filled eyes and had to escalate it today. I had told the lady who has the dog before about his eyes. I have received an abusive text off the lady saying how dare I report the dog to charity saying he has been to the vets.

The charity finally responded and said the dog had been to the vets. No one updates me but I could not see an improvement in 2 weeks so did the right thing reporting my concerns. I feel like not walking the dog anymore after doing it for free for 5 and a half years as all I got was abuse in return. She has relatives who don’t walk him and they all just sit in her house eating take aways while I walk him in the cold. She don’t really need the dog and someone else in need could have the dog instead.

I'm confused how this works - is this the charity's dog and is on loan to her but you walk it? Can they not take it back if not being looked after?

Yeah, the charity owns the dog and it is on loan to her. I walk the dog. They already confiscated the dog off her twice for 3 months each time as she kept over feeding it so the charity had to get him to the centre to lose weight. I wish the dog would be permanently removed and rehomed to someone who does not neglect the dog.

This doesn't feel like it's in the dog's best interests at all. Can you report to someone else in the charity?

Stop walking the dog. You are being complicit in her lazy caring for the animal, and now she has been nasty when you raised a valid concern. Let her walk her own dog or get family to help.

also edited to say you should tell the charity you are no longer walking the dog so they can keep an extra eye out.

I wouldn't stop walking him as you seem to be his person who cares.
Is there someone you can escalate this to? I'm concerned they would give the dog back when he's been neglected twice.
Is he long term foster? as 5 years seems odd, I worked in rescue for many years and this is very poor and odd practice.
Feel free to PM me if you need to.

Like @SnoopysHoose said, dogs aren't normally "rented" out. Is this an actual charity or someone playing at it?

It is a real national charity. They train the dog then give the dog to someone who is supposed to have difficulties. The charity then visit and monitor the dog every few months.

The person who has the dog is scamming the charity as they don’t have additional needs. I am annoyed as there is a 2 year waiting list for service users really need a dog.

Is this a guide dog/service dog?

A service dog for people with hearing issues.

In your shoes I'd keep walking the dog but take this further as that is not a life for the poor dog, the charity are being negligent in their duty of care to this dog.

Thanks. I have told the charity for now I won’t be a walking him. They will have to get his eyes sorted. I just can’t walk the dog multiple
times a week seeing his eyes have not recovered.

I would keep walking him, you're his lifeline, poor dog needs someone to look out for him.

I really hope the charity permanently remove him. Last night the charity rep said she was glad I had told her manager. Hopefully they have sense and remove him. You would think animal charities would be on the ball with neglect and not keep giving the dog back.

That is outrageous. It costs thousands to train a hearing dog, from a purely financial viewpoint they are wasting an asset and the money of people who have donated. And obviously the much, much, bigger problem is that an animal is being allowed to suffer. That poor dog. And poor you being caught in the middle. I'd also complain to the regional manager if you can.

This is what infuriates me. People’s hard earned money is funding this shambles. Staff have to keep retraining and getting him to lose weight.

I love this dog so much. I am so angry the charity are lax and the lady does not give a damn about this dog. I am on standby as I want to know how his eyes get on but I won’t be walking him.

It gets me angry because there is a 2 year waiting list for these dogs and people in need. While her and her lazy family and extended family sit in the house eating take outs. She does not need to dog for assistance.

If it was a genuine person I would continue but I am done now. I can’t keep supporting someone who neglects animals.

You did the right thing. This owner is very irresponsible.

Thank you for the reassurance. I have made the charity aware as much as I can. I will be terminating the volunteering and tell them why. The owner and charity can’t keep neglecting the dog like this.