Please advise...Shoud I contact the RSPCA ?

stephenliverpool1

One of my neighbours a few doors away keep a dog. It is some sort of cross-breed of a Jack Russell.

The son has gone to Uni & both the husband and wife work. Each leave home before 0730hrs and aren't back until after 1630hrs at the earliest.

As far as I can tell, nobody comes around and looks after the dog whilst they are at work. I have also never heard the dog bark although it does appear very friendly.

I may be over reacting but is is fair to leave a dog on it's own for over 8 hours a day ? It may have access to the garden whilst they are at work but I can't be sure !!

Should I contact the RSPCA ? If so, can I do it anonymously as I may be way off the mark and I don't want to upset my neighbours ?
If I can, how do I contact the RSPCA ?

Please advise as I'm not too sure what to do.

Croatoan

It might not be ideal but I'd imagine tens of thousands of dogs are left alone for 8 hours a day or more because owners are at work.
I don't personally see it as reason for calling the authorities unless you have some evidence the dog is in distress - for instance barking all day.

gettingready

You say the dog seems to be happy/friendly so?

Have you spoken to the owners first of all - if YOU have any concerns?

Sorry but calling the RSPCA for what exactly?

Friend of muine has a little dog who does NOT want to go out with a dog walker - the owner takes the dog out around 7.30 amd and does not get home till 7pm and the dog refuses to go out when the dog walker comes in.

Some dogs are happy like that, they are used to lounging around when owners are away.

Sorry but the calling RSPCA idea without any real reason or talking to the owners first.... out of place.

If you are so concerned and obviously have the time on your hands to watch the house/dog all day - why don't you chat to the owners and perhaps offer to visit the dog/walk it while they are away at work?

That would be showing REAL concern for the dog AND being a nice neighbour....

Simples

rising_from_the_ashes

It's not ideal no but you have no idea of the circumstances.

Ben was left all day - I tried coming home at lunchtimes and he hated it. He'd been left all day since he was a pup (before I got him I will add) and had developed sort of a "you can go out and stay out as long as you like ... but when you come home - you stay!" mentality and would get really upset in the afternoons if I came home so I had to leave him without someone coming in.

This dog may be similar ..... if it doesn't appear to be in distress (ie not howling, barking etc) and appears happy .... what's the problem?

Much better the dog is happy in it's own home where it can move around, play with its toys, sleep in its bed (or probably on its owners) than stuck in the boot of a car for 8 hours if they had to take it to work.

This happens with several dogs at my work and there is apparently nothing wrong that can be done about this according to the SSPCA as long as the dog has water and is let out for a wee at least once a day - and IMVHO much worse than leaving them in the comfort of their own home.

McKneff

Why dont you be a good neighbour and ask them if you can walk the dog a couple of times a day.

sazzybum

Bruce is caged when we go to work, until his dog walker comes in-about three hours later. she takes him out for an hour, then he goes back in for another 3 hours-although sometimes she dognaps him and takes him to her house and I pick him up on the way home.

Ruars on the other hand, used to hear the door close in the morning and jump onto Alans bed- which is where we'd find him 8 hours later when we got home. I started coming home at lunchtime to let him out- and you should have seen the disgusted look on his face!

If the dog seems friendly, and there's no barking etc then I don't see any reason to call.. Are you sure there's not a doggy door or something out back? I know one of my friends had one of them-so it could be getting out that way.

stephenliverpool1

Thanks for the advice and consequently I will take no action.

gettingready

Well, as some of us have advised - you could "take action", offer to walk/visit/have the dog over at yourse ... if you are concerned.

stephenliverpool1

gettingready wrote: »

Well, as some of us have advised - you could "take action", offer to walk/visit/have the dog over at yourse ... if you are concerned.

I'm not a dog person & based on the advice that I have been given in this thread, I have nothing to worry about and so have no need to walk/visit/have the dog over at mine have I ?

spike7451

While not the same animals,my cat Daisy & thousands of others are left alone for over 8 hours a day while we are at work & it doesn't seem to affect her...

Fridaycat

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

I got home just after 4 and Wilo still hasn't made any attempt to go for a wee even though the door has been open since i got it.

Wow! You must be cold! And you must live in a VERY safe area :rotfl::rotfl: