Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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:
blueskypink · 16/03/2018 10:34

Looks like the photo was taken from a bedroom window blue.

I'm appalled that they have to leave the dog for 5 days before they can be sure it has been abandoned. Poor wee mite Sad. Thank goodness you're looking after it op.

BastardGoDarkly · 16/03/2018 10:40

Fuck that. Sort some wood. Use the ladder, get the dog out, take to rescue.

Shrug your shoulders when rspca come back.

I couldn't leave her there, you'll have a miserable weekend if you do op.

BluePony · 16/03/2018 11:18

@blueskypink that would be the logical explanation 😂

Aprilmightmemynewname · 16/03/2018 11:31

Do we know where op is? She needs a mn rescue imo.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 16/03/2018 13:07

I have to disagree with some of the other posters. Leave it to the RSPCA. If you ever watch the TV programmes about them, you will know that, by law, they have to leave the animal for a period of time to ensure no-one is coming back to feed/water it (they put seals on the doors). Having established that, they can then get a warrant & the police and rescue it. If they follow these rules, they stand a chance of prosecuting the awful owners and perhaps preventing them from getting another dog. They have, in the meantime, provided food for the dog and enlisted kind OP to feed it - I don't think they could possibly do more. We already know that the dog has always lived outside so, as long as it gets food and water, it can wait 5 days. If someone else goes onto the property and takes the dog, the owners will go scot -free and can treat another dog this way.

Keeshy · 16/03/2018 13:08

Just wondering if there was any update, OP.

I'm sitting here crying at that picture of her you posted in the snow. Poor little baby.

She'll be bored but, sadly, I do think she's probably used to it.

There are ways you can try and keep her entertained. If you have the money, you could buy her a Kong to or similar. Of here's a good site for dog toys with household objects.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 16/03/2018 15:03

Not sure if anyone else has suggested this but can you drop a blanket over the fence so it can keep warm (it might take it into its tiny shelter), as the weather is about to get very cold again?

pigsDOfly · 16/03/2018 15:09

I'm sure no decent person could relax knowing that this poor little dog is being left to fend for itself. Thankfully the OP has alerted the appropriate welfare orginisation. However, the RSPCA are very limited in their powers. They can't just go in all guns blazing and take animals away without very good reasons.

If the dog is in reasonably good health, has food and water, which doesn't seem to be the case in this instance, there is little they can do until they know the dog is being truly neglected.

They're making sure the food and water is being provided and now have to wait and see if the owners come back. Not sure what else they can do at this stage. Although, having said that I think most of us would assume that a dog having no food provided, other than the food OP has given it, would be enough for them to be able to take call the police and take the dog.

Very sad.

Faintlinesquints · 16/03/2018 15:12

Wish I lived closer this is breaking my heart! I'd send dh or teen dc over and find the thing shelter, she looks so sad and cold in the snow!

I know you are doing everything you can OP and unfortunately you can't do more due to your cats but I wouldn't be able to rest knowing it was there for days with no food/water/company. Do you have any friends that could help in the mean time? Or local animal charities?

Isthisnameacceptable01 · 16/03/2018 15:13

Poor dog. I cannot get over the cruelty of some people. Why didn’t they drop it at the pound if they didn’t want it. If you don’t want to attempt to grab it and I understand if you don’t could you put tin foil and blankets over her shelter to keep her warm?

Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 16/03/2018 17:56

An update...sorry, I've been working!

So two police officers came round an hour ago and had a look over the wall to see the dog. They also checked and can see that there's nobody living at the property. Both officers were animal lovers and couldn't believe my neighbours have left the dog. They are going to try to rush through a warrant so she can be rescued earlier.

When DH gets home from work he will try to get over the wall to give the dog some water as the ice cube idea is crap to be honest! I just hope DH doesn't get stuck over in their garden and then the neighbours turn up and find him. The police are after the man, he's on the run, and they said he's very nasty and to call immediately if he returns home.

Didn't mean to upset with the photo – that wasn't taken today, it was a few weeks ago, taken out of my bathroom window. I feel heartbroken myself, every time I look out of the window she looks up at me.

We will try to give her a blanket too.

Thanks for your concern, I'm trying to do all I can and want her to have a happy ending. My DH is a big softie and wants to just keep her ourselves but I don't think that's fair with our 2 cats! I am tempted though.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohbigdaddio · 16/03/2018 18:01

Faintlinesquints Sadly this is a dog that has been used to living alone really, the neighbours ignored her and kept her outside the entire time they lived here, no matter the weather. I'm really sad she's bored and lonely but not sure what else I can do. I'm sure DH will stroke her when he goes over, a tiny bit of affection (she's never had any) Sad

We were too scared to report them to the RSPCA at the time as the neighbours were violent and aggressive and they would've known it was us.

OP posts:
Aprilmightmemynewname · 16/03/2018 19:07

Glad you are doing all you can op!! BTW, our dcats +ddogs live happily together!!
Took some time for 1 dcat to come around but all harmonious now - 2 dcats +4ddogs!!
And dogs not associated for being cat lovers!!
Keep us updated.

RandomMess · 16/03/2018 19:13

Our cars and rescue dog live together happily too... you know just saying Wink

pigsDOfly · 16/03/2018 19:20

Pleased to read your update OP, maybe they can get something done. Does sound like poor little thing has just been dumped. Thank goodness this little dog has you looking out for him.

Faintlinesquints · 16/03/2018 19:32

I'm sorry @ohbigdaddio I didn't mean my post to come across as it did after reading it back there! Didn't mean to make you feel bad, I know you are doing everything you can and it's fab that you care so much.
Such a hard situation with the owners being as you describe too. Glad the police are now involved and hopefully get a happy ending for this dog.

thornyhousewife · 16/03/2018 19:53

Well done for reporting this OP.

I'd like to think I'd be brave enough to climb over but it's easy to say when you're not in the situation.

It looks like there are children's toys too, I hope they are ok Sad

honeyroar · 16/03/2018 20:02

Id have been over that fence yesterday, by hook or by crook, and the dog would be miles away with friends by now. I wouldn't care whether it was legal or not! Its forecast more snow and sub zero temperatures from tomorrow. I wish someone would pull their finger out. 😡😡

WeAllHaveWings · 16/03/2018 20:15

There is no way I’d leave a dog outside all night, poor pup. Dh would have been over the wall on the first night and pup would have been with us until we could get it to a breed rescue centre. If the owners ever came back I’d feign ignorance.

JaneEyre70 · 16/03/2018 20:21

This sort of thing makes you realise that we need much tighter laws on dog ownership in this country. Poor little thing. Hopefully she will find love and a warm bed soon.

NotAnotherNightIn · 16/03/2018 21:58

O Christ this I awful. I've only just seen this thread. I've recently lost my old girl and would give the earth to have her back with me. What utterly evil ppl there are. If this is true and this poor mite is left outdoors all yr round with hardly any contact then that's tantamount to torture in my eyes. This little gal needs love and kindness and a flipping warm cosy bed! When will our legal system take animal welfare rights more seriously. If you cannot care for a harmless innocent creature then you don't deserve a right to life. Animals are not there to be owned they are there to be loved as they give it back ten fold! I really feel for you OP. Please keep us updated, hopefully someone will pull their finger out quickly. Yes I'd be over that wall in a blink of an eye but I understand the situation with the neighbours. Safety is an issue. You're right to feed and water her. Aw the poor thing bless her!

guest477337 · 16/03/2018 22:11

Just climb over the damn face and rescue the poor thing

guest477337 · 16/03/2018 22:11

Fence

brighthouse · 16/03/2018 22:18

omg I would have to rescue that dog.

ILoveAntButHateDec · 17/03/2018 01:08

I would have been over that fence, days ago, and poor dog would be snuggled up in a cosy, warm, dog bed in my bedroom by now - cats or no cats. The RSPCA are fucking useless!

Has the dog been moved now OP?

Swipe left for the next trending thread