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The doghouse

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Original poster

Cousins Dog is having needs neglected

74 replies

CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 08:07

Hi all. I am concerned about a family dog so potentially a very touchy subject and not one I have raised with anyone. We are all quite close so we have seen what is happening.

My cousin and her boyfriend got an XL bully from a friend. They never ever walk her. Ever. She is 15 months old and has been out maybe 6 times. She is destructive and clearly bored stiff. She is happy and waggy for now and does have a small garden she does loops of but I am very concerned about her long term care and lack of socialisation. My cousin is scared to walk her and has no experience of dogs, and definitely none of large breeds.

What would you do? If anything

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MisgenderedSwan · 04/04/2023 09:10

@OfCourseImNameChanging I do agree - I was thinking short term to help control some of the energy while they found a suitable placement. I would suggest muzzling and walking under close control. Maybe cousin could go with the build her confidence and skills. But ultimately, this dog is not the pet for that home.

Can you advise on keeping child and dog separate - barriers to stop the dog being unsupervised near the child in the short term?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 04/04/2023 09:12

Unfortunately there's no laws that say you need to walk your dog.

If it has food, water and shelter, the RSPCA won't be able to do anything - especially as you say it's currently happy and healthy.

All you can really do is hope your cousin sees sense before something dreadful happens.

ooblavay · 04/04/2023 09:14

You could be talking about my neighbour - you're not as the child in question is slightly younger. But their bully breed is left outside in all weathers in a tiny concrete yard, howling away. It breaks my heart when it's dark and raining. And I also worry as she can jump over the gate when she wants to and has entered my garden. Luckily in the half which is fenced off and away from my own puppy and children. I wish they'd take some responsibility for her instead of getting into their own arguments while she howls in the background.

Favouritefruits · 04/04/2023 09:14

Are you sure it’s an XLbully and not an American pit bull, an acquaintance thought she had a XLBully and after it attacked and killed their other dog turns out it was a American Pitbull the paper work and everything said XLBully but scammers can be very deceiving.

OfCourseImNameChanging · 04/04/2023 09:20

MisgenderedSwan · 04/04/2023 09:10

@OfCourseImNameChanging I do agree - I was thinking short term to help control some of the energy while they found a suitable placement. I would suggest muzzling and walking under close control. Maybe cousin could go with the build her confidence and skills. But ultimately, this dog is not the pet for that home.

Can you advise on keeping child and dog separate - barriers to stop the dog being unsupervised near the child in the short term?

If the dog cooperates with being muzzled... I think honestly, the cousin might need to see thr consequences of keeping this dog is that she's ostracised. The OP and mum shouldn't visit, shouldn't take the dog out, should make it clear the animal is a risk they aren't prepared to take. The fact OP's mum is experienced with dogs could make this message more powerful. Truthfully though, there is virtually no chance of finding appropriate and safe homes for these backyard bred XLs who spend their early lives neglected and untrained. It's a growing problem and I don't know where it will end.

OfCourseImNameChanging · 04/04/2023 09:21

Favouritefruits · 04/04/2023 09:14

Are you sure it’s an XLbully and not an American pit bull, an acquaintance thought she had a XLBully and after it attacked and killed their other dog turns out it was a American Pitbull the paper work and everything said XLBully but scammers can be very deceiving.

Practically speaking there isn't much difference except I suppose OP could report a pitbull to the police and they might seize and euthanise it. That's one way of dealing with the risk.

Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:40

@MisgenderedSwan my mum is desperate to do this and has tried but they're so reluctant and nervous. She keeps asking so hopefully they will let her soon. She'll do it for free

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:42

@OfCourseImNameChanging that's a good point. She did say if anything happened she would feel like it was her fault / the public would too. It just needs rehoming I think and you're right, it will get worse.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:45

@MisgenderedSwan yes, she is strong and capable and has walked her before. She's not a puller and walks beautifully on the lead and I very happy to meet other dogs. But... it won't stay like that I she doesn't get out now. My mum is super confident and I think the dog feels it and walks wonderfully, but when my cousin takes the dog out, it's awful. Pulling and trying to take her for a walk. It's amazing what a competent, confident person can do with a dog.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:47

@GreySweater the boyfriend has dogs he doesn't walk either. It's just how they thing it is. My cousin doesn't think anything is wrong as they have never walked their dogs as a family but I feel with this breed it's slightly different. Their last dog was a small breed that was a real home body and happy with a cuddle on the sofa, so not the same risk at all.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:48

@OfCourseImNameChanging you're quite right. No amount of training will be sufficient if not backed up at home. We had a hard enough time between us when me and my partner had different ideas about how to train ours and we had to get on the same page as nothing works if there is contradiction.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:49

@MisgenderedSwan dog has a utility room with a gate but is often out and about. The size of her mouth is terrifying.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:50

@coffeecupsandwaxmelts yes that's what I am hoping for. I thought she would have by now

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:51

@ooblavay goodness that's sad. I think the RSPCA would be interested in that

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:52

@Favouritefruits is there a way I can tell? What would be traits, body shape differences?

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:54

@OfCourseImNameChanging I go round without my daughter and to be fair, when there are visitors, apart from my mum, the dog is kept behind the gate. She's super bouncy and scratchy and knocks everyone over with excitement so it's easier to have her behind the gate. It's torture for her though as she loves people.

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alyceflowers · 04/04/2023 09:56

I'd call social services.

A child with additional needs is living in a situation with a large breed dog that is destructive and the owner can't take it out as they can't control it.
It's a breed that has been involved in several child deaths.

Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:57

@alyceflowers yes I think they would be concerned. I just cant believe they can't see it.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:58

I've just looked up pictures and she looks much more like an American pit bull than an XL Bully. She is quite low down but her face is like a pit bull.

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:59

I wonder if that's why they won't take her out as they have an illegal breed. Purely speculating now

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ToBeOrNotToBee · 04/04/2023 10:00

Have a strong word with her and find a rescue place.

Staffie and stray rescue specialise in bull breeds and are fantastic.

StormTreader · 04/04/2023 10:03

The RSPCA are pretty rubbish - I contacted them about the neighbours dog who was shut in the garden with no water and little shade and left to bark all day and evening and they told me that as long as someone checked in on them once every 24 hours there was nothing they could do.

OfCourseImNameChanging · 04/04/2023 10:13

CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 09:58

I've just looked up pictures and she looks much more like an American pit bull than an XL Bully. She is quite low down but her face is like a pit bull.

Pitbulls are smaller than XL bullies, but there are similarities. You can send photos to yiur local dog warden if you have one and they might investigate. I do feel sorry for the dog, it isn't her fault but she is not living a good life and the consequences of her carrying on as is are so horrible to contemplate.

Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 11:10

@ToBeOrNotToBee I will do, thank you

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Original poster
CheeseDreamsTonight · 04/04/2023 11:13

@OfCourseImNameChanging I have lots of pics from the WhatsApp group we are all in. I will have a think.

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