dog left on it's own for days - what would you do?

Morganarla

If I were in your shoes, and I knew that I absolutely couldn't have him (or indeed persuade the owner to surrender him to my care), then yes I'd report her.

It might make her hellbent of getting him put down, but I am of the mind that sometimes a swift euthanasia versus a prolonged period of not being loved, fed, or cared for is a preferable option. Although thinking about that has made me cry all over again because I really don't want this for him.

alyth

Morganarla wrote: »

If I were in your shoes, and I knew that I absolutely couldn't have him (or indeed persuade the owner to surrender him to my care), then yes I'd report her.

It might make her hellbent of getting him put down, but I am of the mind that sometimes a swift euthanasia versus a prolonged period of not being loved, fed, or cared for is a preferable option. Although thinking about that has made me cry all over again because I really don't want this for him.

I do wonder about that, whether it is easier and kinder to get him put ot sleep, but when i take him out, he is fantastic, alert, bright, sniffing around, if he had cancer or something then for sure I would do it, I've always said that about my own dog, no suffering, but the fact that someone truly doesn't care about a pet is just awful

A sleepless night for me coupled with an early start to make sure he is okay. Thanks for your replies, I'm still truly swithering as to whether to report her, 99i% of me things that I should, the other 1% things that she will quite frankly kill the dog because he's such an inconvenience to her.

universality

Yes, I would report her. We've reported neighbours to the RSPCA before and they come out and do an informal check first, to make sure the claims are substantiated. You're only doing what's best for the dog by reporting her. If someone told me they wished their dog dead, old or young, I would be very concerned about the dogs welfare. You can of course remain anonymous, whether she'll suspect you or not is another issue, but for the dogs sake I would contact the RSPCA. If you're concerned about her trying to get him PTS after an RSPCA visit, express these concerns to the oldies club first and see what they say Good Luck, we have a neighbour who neglects her dog, the RSPCA did visit but nothing changed. That's no reflection on their work, it's just nothing happened after their visit. So instead we take him in when it's raining and he's left outside. It's heartbreaking.

zaksmum

Definitely report her. What a truly horrible person she must be to treat a poor innocent oldie like that.

The poor little guy would be better off anywhere than with her. He has no quality of life at all by the sound of it...I can't believe she's going round telling people she just wants him to die!!

Please do continiue to help him, alyth. It's probably the only kindness the poor darling's ever known.

EmptyPockets

Please do all you can for this poor dog. I despair of these people, it just breaks my heart - how can you wish your own dog would just die???

You're nowhere near Derby are you? Be a good job if you're not, because I'd end up taking the poor sod away from her. I'd love to give her a piece of my mind. She wouldn't know what hit her if I had the chance... :mad:

alyth

Thank you so much for all your replies. I did have a bit of a sleepness night, but I've been down and seen him twice already this morning, he's had his breakfast and lots of cuddles, and the second time I took my dog down and the two of them played together for ages.

It absolutely breaks my heart to know that he was locked in that tiny room. He actually gets on well with my dog, I'm going to think about it a bit more as to whether I can take him.

BitterAndTwisted

If you live in a tiny wee place where there are only six houses you can bet your bottom dollar that should you report her she will know exactly where that report came from. That seems to me to be quite a high risk of causing neighbour-from-hell retaliation and this might not what you need if you want to continue living there.

What about thinking about taking the dog on but expecting the owner to pay for all of doggy's upkeep? It's either that or persuading her to consider rehoming or euthanasia.

Have you discussed this situation with any of your other neighbours? Perhaps between all of you there might be another solution, maybe a dog-share?

mr218

there is no point reporting her to the rspca. she is giving the dog a warm house and sort of enough to eat. she is asking you to look after it when she is away.

what you need to do is to see if you can take the dog. if so, tell her that you are willing to take care of the dog on a regular basis, like going for walks etc and also willing to foster it.see if you can get her to contribute to you financially.

at the end of the day, the best solution for the dog would be to be adopted by you. if you can manage that, then good. if not, then try to do your best.

but you can give it a few good years of happiness and love. how much satisfaction will that give you. you already have a dog, so you can go for walks etc together

Gothicfairy

I once ended up with an old staffie in much the same way..The owner did not want her anymore as she was blind and deaf , slow and did not look "hard" anymore.
I already had a staffie cross and collie so figured one more would not make that much difference.

I did have to cook her rice and chicken or buy baby food as she could not manage proper dog food but she lived with me for a year until she passed away in her sleep on my lap.
She was 17 when she died and had a fine last year with me, she went for a walk ( only once a day unlike the others 2 who went 2 -3 times) but she would love to sit in the sun in the garden.
She was a little monster and even blind she could steal the cream out of the fridge ( even if it made her sick) but I honestly can say I would not have had it any other way.

You have to make up your mind what kind of outcome you want and then move forward towards that. If you want the dog then ask if you can have him, if you can't keep him then try the R.S.P.C.A or local shelter.
We have a very good animal aid here who never put down well dogs no matter how old they are as they try to foster them out to elderly people who maybe can't walk a dog every day but can love it and look after it.

purplepardalis

Oh blimey - I am so glad I do not work in animal welfare at all as I would have a house full of these poor sad cases. I'd end up being reported myself for overcrowding!!!

At least this poor old fella is getting hugs snd comfort for you. I have to say I would take him back to mine.