Neighbours dog left in the car in the cold

foreign_correspondent

No basis to judge anyone - but if the dog looks like it is cold I think it is only responsible of the OP to mention to the neighbour that the dog looked a little cold, and does she have a jacket she could pop on it when it is in the car...?

Also, if she is leaving the window open, I expect this is based on the advice for leaving dogs in the car on sunny days - when the sun is not strong, or it is chilly, the dog would probably be better off with the window shut - maybe she has not thought that through!

OP, if you wanted to be a really kind neighbour, and solve the dog's problem, maybe you could pop round with a Christmas card and give her a little christmas gift for the dog - a cheapo fleece blanket maybe! (£2 ASDA!)

cheepskate_2

Why make a dear old biddy , probably get rid of her dog.

Why not talk to the old dear and let her know your concerns. Ask if the dog is a bit cold when she collects it and if so could she maybe put in some blankets or such so it can snuggle into them. Im sure being the animal caring person the o.p is she would help get the blankets from the charity shop if the old biddy was too frail to carry them.

Why have we stopped talking to our neighbours in a civilized manner and now instantly go reporting everything to the authorities.

Our first 2 girls were house dogs, but when we went out 1 was always left in an outdoor kennel(nothing fancy just a bit of wood and a little insulating and a load of blankets) i can assure you the one in the kennel always felt warmer than the house dog who was left in the house and usually ended up in the kitchen , which had no heating.

MrsTinks

Why report it to the RSPCA? Because the RSPCA will more than likely speak to her and explain why leaving an indoor dog ourdoors in subzero temps isn't a good idea and make suggestions for how she can tackel the barking etc. Now would it be better coming from "a nosey neighbour" or someone trained in handling situations with owners who might be upset at being told what they are doing for little Fifi isn't actually good for her?

A lot of the time it's about education, but if the RSPCA get involved there would be follow up and probably more information available to her than if someone just told her "it's not good for Fifi leaving her in the car like that you know!"...

People assume that if someone says "report her" about the RSPCA then it means we want the animal removed... Infact their largest purpose is education and help....

linni

This lady should be dealing with the dog barking when she is out and not resorting to leaving it in the car. It is not fair to the dog (cold or not) because what will she do in the hot summer and how many years can this go on.

Barneysmom

What happens when the dog needs a wee? How does he get out to go?
I think you should phone the RSPVA, at least he'll be checked out then.....
Or you could look after the dog for her while she has to go out? :cool:

beachbeth

I quite frankly don't think the RSPCA will be at all interested. They never are.

However, the OP was simply asking for other opinions about the situation and for some people on this thread to turn nasty was quite uncalled for.

I think if the dog is used to living in a warm house then the car will seem very cold. A couple of hours at a time probably won't hurt though. Perhaps if you could offer to look after the dog if you are able? Or suggest she at least puts a coat on the dog?

It always amazes me on these boards when a simple request for help can result in such nasty replies.

lostinrates

Barneysmom wrote: »

What happens when the dog needs a wee? How does he get out to go?

They same applies to any dog left alone in a house too though.

foreign_correspondent

lostinrates wrote: »

They same applies to any dog left alone in a house too though.

Yup, I agree - likewise with food etc... a healthy dog should be fine being left for a couple of hours, it is just the temperature that is of concern really - and only cos we presume this little dog is used to central heating and being indoors.

I assume the owner is trying to balance the behaviour of the dog, and the complaints from the neighbours about the barking - popping him in the car may be the best compromise she can come up with, but it would be far more risky in warm weather than it is now - she needs some more strategies to deal with his barking when left in alone really. I would hope the RSPCA may be able to help with suggestions and education as MrsT suggests, but my experiences with them locally have not been so positive - but it may be worth ringing them for a chat, rather than to make 'a complaint' and see if they could do anything pro-active.

I think it is important that you handle this sensitively, as I expect the owner is stressed out by the complaints from the neighbours, and adding to this stress will not help and is not what she needs if she is alone, especially over christmas. Personally, as I said I would be tempted to perhaps pop round with a little gift for the dog, and strike up a friendly conversation with her, saying you were worried in case the poor chap was feeling the cold in the car... do be aware that she may be expecting a telling off from you, if she has had lots of grumbles from neighbours.. she may be pleasantly surprised that you are showing a positive interest in her dog, if you approach it right! (I would start off by saying what a gorgeous doggy he is, giving him a fuss, and asking his name etc...it always goes down well with us dog owners!!)

lostinrates

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Yup, I agree - likewise with food etc... a healthy dog should be fine being left for a couple of hours, it is just the temperature that is of concern really - and only cos we presume this little dog is used to central heating and being indoors.

I assume the owner is trying to balance the behaviour of the dog, and the complaints from the neighbours about the barking - popping him in the car may be the best compromise she can come up with, but it would be far more risky in warm weather than it is now - she needs some more strategies to deal with his barking when left in alone really. I would hope the RSPCA may be able to help with suggestions and education as MrsT suggests, but my experiences with them locally have not been so positive - but it may be worth ringing them for a chat, rather than to make 'a complaint' and see if they could do anything pro-active.

I think it is important that you handle this sensitively, as I expect the owner is stressed out by the complaints from the neighbours, and adding to this stress will not help and is not what she needs if she is alone, especially over christmas. Personally, as I said I would be tempted to perhaps pop round with a little gift for the dog, and strike up a friendly conversation with her, saying you were worried in case the poor chap was feeling the cold in the car...

I agree with all of this really.

FWIW I workon a four hour rule of thumb with ours. They have each other for company. I leave ours inside. If we still had a kennal and run and each other I'd be content to leave for a ''working day'', as they would be able to go to the loo and move around, keep warm etc.

I think the point raised about the owner needing a plan for warmer weather is also valid....and I just can't help wondering if, as the owner lives in sheltered housing, there might be a neighbour or two at home who might benefit from a dogs company for a few hours occasionally.

foreign_correspondent

lostinrates wrote: »

I think the point raised about the owner needing a plan for warmer weather is also valid....and I just can't help wondering if, as the owner lives in sheltered housing, there might be a neighbour or two at home who might benefit from a dogs company for a few hours occasionally.

Absolutely - a chat with the warden may be useful, as perhaps they could facilitate this - there may be another resident who would love the company of a little dog for an hour or two - although if neighbours have complained they may not be so amenable... but it is definitely worth exploring.