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The doghouse

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Original poster

Abandoned dog...advice please :(

190 replies

ohbigdaddio · 14/03/2018 15:44

Our horrendous, criminals-on-the-run next door neighbours moved out yesterday and left their dog in the back garden. It lives outside the whole time and they never interacted with it or took it for a walk. I've no idea if they are coming back to get it but the dog has been alone and unfed/watered for 24 hours now. (Who moves out and leaves their dog??)

It's a small westie type dog, looks healthy (but bet it's never been to the vet) and is used to living outside so the RSPCA won't come out to get it I presume.

Sorry if I sound stupid but what would you do? Wait to see if they come back for the dog (I can see belongings still in their house)? Or just find some way of helping it?

There is a 6ft brick wall between our garden and theirs, I'd love to climb over and 'rescue' the dog but not sure how to do that as there is a soil border on our side so a ladder will not be stable/safe! Tried with a step ladder and it sank.

I have 2 cats so we can't really take the dog in (though I would love to!) and we have no car to take it anywhere. The local rescue centre is for cats only!

Any ideas as I'm not coming up with any great ones!

OP posts:
Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 15/03/2018 14:41

RSPCA have phoned and are onto it now. They have to be certain that nobody is popping in to attend to the dog so they have to wait a few days. They've already been round this morning and sellotaped the door so that they can return tomorrow and check nobody has entered the property.

I've thrown over some dog biscuits and ice cubes. Let's hope there's a lovely owner out there who can give a loving home to this poor girl.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 15/03/2018 16:34

Poor wee thing being out there on her own for days. She will be so bored.

Peanutbuttercups21 · 15/03/2018 16:37

glad for you your criminal neighbours have moved, that si good news.

Well done for looking out for the doggy!!!

Aprilmightmemynewname · 15/03/2018 16:38

Maybe you should be in talks with dcats regarding potential house guest?

RandomMess · 15/03/2018 16:41

Perhaps a blanket and ball could go over???

Lovesagin · 15/03/2018 16:44

Oh no, is there a local dog rescue? Maybe on Facebook?

Id never trust the RSPCA again, long story short similar scenario, I was promised they'd let me know if noone came forward as I could have given the dog a home, they PTS because they cba to call me back and go through the motions because it was 9 years old.

blueskyinmarch · 15/03/2018 16:47

Poor wee thing. At least the RSPCA are on to it and you are managing to feed it.

Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 15/03/2018 18:25

That's awful Lovesagin ...they'd better not do that.

I would love to give her a home but my cats wouldn't be happy, they're so nervous.

Will throw some other bits over!

OP posts:
SleepFreeZone · 15/03/2018 18:30

Can you attach a bucket of water to a rope and lower it slowly over the fence?

Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 16/03/2018 09:22

I've thrown ice cubes over, she's such a small dog that she couldn't drink out of a bucket.

The RSPCA have been round just now and had a look over our wall, given her food. The officer said they have to make sure that the family are not going to come back for her and also they need to get a warrant to go into the property. So I've been given packets of dog food to put over and an officer will pop back tomorrow and Sunday and then if there's definitely no sign of the family they will take her on Monday.

I feel really sorry for her, she looks so unhappy.

OP posts:
TheHobbitMum · 16/03/2018 09:28

Monday? Shock The weather is supposed to be awful this weekend that poor pup :(

TheHobbitMum · 16/03/2018 09:29

Well done OP for looking out for the dog, she/he needs someone to care about her at the moment Flowers

I'd be letting the poster from London know where you are incase they are in the area and happen to spot a poor dog who needs a warm bed Wink

Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 16/03/2018 09:34

I know, that's what I thought TheHobbitMum but they have to follow protocol. She was out in that horrible cold snap a few weeks ago, sadly she is used to it.

Now that I've got the RSPCA involved I'm not sure I can do that now can I?

OP posts:
marchonto2018 · 16/03/2018 09:35

Do it and then feign ignorance.

marchonto2018 · 16/03/2018 09:37

And what if you were gong away and unable to feed it all weekend.

RSPCA are a shower of shit Angry

Well done though op Thanks

marchonto2018 · 16/03/2018 09:38

Sorry just re read they are visiting both days over weekend Blush

Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 16/03/2018 09:48

Here she is in the snow :( We were too scared to phone RSPCA at that point as the family were there and they were so aggressive and violent.

I just hope she has a happy ending.

Abandoned dog...advice please :(
OP posts:
RandomMess · 16/03/2018 09:49

Perhaps she escaped by digging under the fence Wink

IdblowJonSnow · 16/03/2018 09:52

Won't the poor thing die from the cold? I would try and rescue it if you can? Well done op for your input so far. Am sure the rspca know what they're doing but seems risky to leave a dog so long in these temps Sad

Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 16/03/2018 09:58

She was out in the cold when it was -3 here in London a few weeks ago and she didn't die. Sadly she is used to living outside.

I did say to the officer couldn't she die and they said no! They then said to phone immediately if she collapses or isn't moving!!!!! Not very reassuring. I do understand they have to follow protocol but it's not great I know.

OP posts:
MinorRSole · 16/03/2018 10:08

The rspca are somewhat restricted legally but also need to make sure the family have less chance of getting the dog back in the future. By proving it has been abandoned the chances of ownership being returned are greatly reduced.

On the abandoned side, my eldest ddog is a previously abandoned dog. We've had him a couple of years now and he is such a happy wee thing. Never had any behavioural issues besides not being house broken. He does still have the occasional accident but it's rare and we have hard floors so not really an issue. He loves nothing better than curling up on the sofa, well apart from barking at cats through the window - that's also really good fun!

What I'm essentially saying is that you've put him on the path to potentially having a proper family who actually want him (or her - all mine are boys so I always say him!). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the family don't come back, they shouldn't have a dog and he/she deserves a family and a warm home to snuggle up in. Keeping everything crossed for Monday!

littlemisscomper · 16/03/2018 10:08

What a sucky situation! Poor little girl. Why do these freaks even get a dog to start with? I hope the ending of her story is happier than her beginning.

Unfortunately ice cubes aren't going to help with her thirst. They'll just bring her body temperature down without really hydrating her. Do you have any large plastic drip trays like you get under flowerpots? I would thoroughly tape string to one and lower that down with water in it. I would also drop a small blanket over - or one or 2 of those fluffy yellow dusters maybe, so they're small enough for her to drag into her den if she's a mind to.

Aprilmightmemynewname · 16/03/2018 10:24

No local teens you can send over the wall? My ds would be very like a shot.
I wouldn't be able to rest leaving her there.

Lovesagin · 16/03/2018 10:25

RSPCA are a shower of shite, they are only interested in young cute dogs they can re-home and get ££donation for.

BluePony · 16/03/2018 10:29

How did you get the picture; did you climb the wall?? Also, I'd get the dog if I were you (I'm nowhere near) but I'm not sure how well that's go down with the RSPCA Sad