Would you say something -poor dog?

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I've changed some details so as to not out myself, although name changed this morning so hopefully be ok.
I have a friend with 1 year old Springer spaniel, both parents are working dogs. Friend lives in a small village in a rural area and lots of places to take dog a walk.
Dog doesn't get walked everyday, they think letting it run around their yard is enough exercise. I'd say it gets walked off lead once every few weeks. Friend and her dh work 5 days a week. Neither wfh and dog is locked in a medium crate all day as they feel they can't trust her as she like to chew and eat what she shouldn't. This is from 9am until 4am and can include weekend days too if they decide to go out for the day with their kids.
They left dog alone all day yesterday ongonto a family wedding, and it soiled all over itself and the crate, friend didn't seem bothered about it, her neighbour has offered to let dog out in the past (they've refused), and there is no reason why the dog couldn't be left outside with a kennel as yard is secure.
I have dogs, I'm so angry she does this but dh says that dog is fed and cared for so would be hard to prove neglect. Saying something would ruin our friendship (we are intrinsically linked but I don't want to explain how as might be outing, think distant relatives).
My friend is a good person (I think), she absolutely does not see this as an issue and it absolutely astounds me, how do I approach this? I'm getting angrier everyday as I thought she'd be starting to let the dog out by now but she just doesn't, always making excuses, I can't even offer to help as I work full time and live about 30 miles away from her.
What would you do/say? My dogs are spoiled, they get two long walks a day and I wfh part time, I just couldn't imagine even a hardened dog owner would think this was ok 😔

Ah so sorry if the thread has upset you, I am truly upset about it and yes I am rethinking the friendship really. If I'm honest, she's not the brightest person, I genuinely don't think she understands that what she is doing is cruel.

I am going to try and chat with her about this today again and tell her it needs to change, neighbour knows the full extent too, they are also friends and I suppose they don't want to cause issues, I'll see if I can get talking to her too.
I think she sees her as a perpetual puppy, can't be trusted etc glad that it's not just me thinking this is abhorrent, I will speak to RSCPA if I get nowhere with her!

I'm glad you're going to speak to her about it. I would perhaps try to find some articles about what dogs need to be happy and healthy. Say you have been thinking about her ddog soiling it's cage and felt you had to discuss.
Thing is if neighbour is keen to take dog out, then the problem is easily solved. That along with some paid for dog walking and her ddog would be so much happier.

You say she's a good person and doesn't deliberately mistreat the dog so talking to her seems the best approach. Maybe try and get her to accept the neighbours offer of help. Also suggest she gets a dog Walker for days they are at work.
Once you are aware she has all the facts and advice but chooses not to follow it then think about reporting but I'm pretty sure RSPCA won't do much if the dog is fed well and not abused.

The more I think about this the angrier I get. Even when they are spending time with the dog, they're treating it like a dolly rather than a sentient being. Also bringing it into their bed whilst ignoring it during the day seems fairly likely to give the poor animal even worse behavioural issues.

Not walking it in the morning and evening or at least one of them is disgustingly neglectful.

Unless she's got a Learning Difficulty she must know that dogs actually need walking.

Sorry OP as this is probably not much help as I know you can't go in with righteous anger as that's not going to change the situation. But as much as possible try not to sugar coat it.

Believe me I'm angry about it, I spent all day yesterday seething which is what led me to post, she thinks the dog gets enough energy burnt off by running about the yard for an hour in the morning and the evening with the other dog they have (it's a tiny dog who would probably genuinely be wore out by that). I said to her about enrichment, sniffing etc being just as important, but she just doesn't get it. I do think she feels a bit judged by me already because I am vocal about it, I just haven't come down hard yet on her because I am worried about making the relationship bad and making life awkward.

But my fuse is getting shorter.
I'm not sure why she turned down neighbour's offer of help, pride maybe? Or an actual belief that the dog is fine, I do think she thinks it's fine.
It's mind boggling, such a lovely dog too, I'd have her in a heartbeat but she'd be offended at that suggestion too.
I know people need to go to work, even dog owners, but there has to be better ways to manage this, in shocked at her husband thinking this is ok too, he's completely oblivious. Her kids are old enough they could walk it, but they're teens who sit on Playstations etc and have zero interest

I have actually never met anyone in real life who keeps their dog in a crate whilst they are at work for 8 hours and doesn't walk it. Never. So I don't know how common that really is. I know someone who keeps their two GSD dogs in the garden permanently, but even they still walk their dogs at least once a day and the dogs are not locked up in a kennel - they have the run of the garden.

This is the most cruel thing to do to any dog let alone a working breed like a springer spaniel!
I have a working cocker and he is only happy when out and about off lead for SEVERAL hours a day every day. That is what they are bred for.

I would not be able to sit by and let this cruelty go, sod upsetting her, show her the breeders club facts on the breed, show her this thread, say if she doesnt change dramatically how she looks after her dog you will keep reporting her to the RSPCA until something is done.

I agree, I didn't know anyone who did this, I used a crate when my dogs were puppies for a few hours a day of I had a work meeting or had to go out but this was generally after a good walk and it forced them to rest. I can't imagine keeping them locked away now, they are sprockers and more than happy to potter about the house or I leave them outside if I know I will be away for a while, they have access to a shed and their beds in there too.

I hate being judgy because I know everyone's circumstances are different, but it breaks my heart thinking of my pair put running the fields and her dog locked away like that.
I am definitely going to bring it up again.

Horrid I wouldn’t care how I was linked yo someone who would be so cruel id be telling them to sort it out
I hope they are just to stupid to realise how cruel they are being and change but that is truly awful.
I cannot fathom why some people get dogs

You aren’t being judgy… this isn’t about the food they are feeding it’s about them mistreating an animal they chose to get

It makes me feel so sad to think of that poor dog in a crate all day and soiling itself, she must be so uncomfy. My dog is my world and I feel bad if I even nip to the corner shop and he isnt even left in a crate he has free run of downstairs but I worry he will think I am leaving him and not coming back. Is there anyway you could take this lovely girl into your home and look after her?

she is not a good person, she's fucking despicable.

a good person does not treat their dog like this. I find it very difficult to believe that she genuinely thinks her dog is happy living like this. poor little pup deserves far better. not sure the RSPCA would actually do anything for all the reasons others have said, but I would still report her so she at least gets a visit and might think twice.

Believe me, as a dog walker, it's a lot more common than you want it to be.

We have two of our own but I would absolutely have her, I WFH and my dogs get a sniffy walk in AM and a long run in fields when I finish in the PM, but there's not way she'd give the dog up, she claims to love her so much and fretted when she left her in kennels recently to go on holiday..... apparently.

I think it is, and this is why she feels like it's ok and why I doubted myself in thinking it isn't.
I send my dogs to same kennels she uses, and spoke to the owner about it, he said the same, so many dogs are treated like this, going to Kennels is like going on a luxury holiday FFS 😟

This is awful and cruel. As per The Animal Welfare Act, your friends have a duty of care to provide for the welfare requirements of their poor, distressed and tormented dog. What they are doing by leaving her alone in a crate for hours on end could, in theory, lead to prosecution. As an advocate for this animal, you ought to report your friend to the RSPCA. What an awful situation, and I hope the dog is removed from it ASAP. Sickening.

I hate crates , I just don't see why someone designed them . Poor dog in a cage all it's life ! How bloody sad , call the rspca!

Another one saying this is not okay. I've never used a crate (though was tempted with the current youngster who was the puppy from hell) and can't imagine leaving a dog in one for hours.

Let us know how it goes, OP. That dog must have a fabulous temperament to have withstood this, and deserves so much better.

I’d report. You know it’s not a one off and you know it will continue.. it’s neglect.
Please report for the dogs sake.. it deserves a good family life. She’ll have already made it harder for the dog by treating it this way so will require patience and a very loving home. Good luck x

The dog is good girl but has zero training, awful recall and his only just mastered toilet training, bearing in mind it's from a very intelligent bloodline.
I spoke to her tonight, told her she needs to sort out alternative arrangements for the dog, she agreed but seemed reluctant to talk too much about it, I'll keep plugging at her, RSPCA won't do a thing as the dog is fed and cared for in the eyes of an outsider.
Crates can have benefits in providing dog with a safe space, my dogs love to sleep in Thurs however door open, they take themselves into them when my nephews come round. But in this case it's a prison for this dog, I promise I won't let her away with this!!!!

Wow, just wow... I'm so glad you are trying to help a defenceless animal.

They shouldn't have a dog if they can't look after it properly

I think it’s very common. I had a neighbour who locked a Labrador puppy in a crate for nine hours a day and my dog walker says several of her clients have dogs in crates all day bar the one hour she takes them out to walk them.

Absolutely heartbreaking to think of a dog locked in a tiny crate all day. I get for a few hours, especially if dog is destructive and can't be trusted alone but all day is just awful 😞