Need more help if people can

Mara69

hethmar wrote: »

I dont understand - has anyone said to him",Look the neighbours are complaining about the dog barking in the night - surely you dont leave him outside in this freezing weather? It will kill him".

For all we know, he gets up to let the dog out and the dog barks to go back in. But without asking the man, how will anyone know what is actually happening.

Totally agree with this. Just because the gentleman in question is elderly does not mean he is stupid. Talk to him. Point out that the dogs needs care and if he can't provide it, then the dog needs to be re-homed. He might even be relieved that someone has noticed and is helping him deal with the issue

podperson

I agree it might be a lot about how you approach it. People that age can be rather defensive about being seen as 'able to cope' so if you're, for example, asking if he's managing ok with the dog then he's likely to insist that he is. Whereas if you maybe try asking him about specific points - eg, one of the neighbours mentioned to me that the dog has been barking outside in the night, is he being put outside overnight/scratching to go out etc? Or mention how it might be nice to help out a young person in the area by giving them a few quid to take the dog for a walk. If you try and look at the specific issues and see if they can be solved rather then imply he isn't coping then he might respond better to it.
Good luck though, it's not an easy situation to be in.

juliebunny

Is there any shelter for the dog in the garden (kennel, shed etc?) is he leaving a bowl of water out for it? Could he not be locked in the kitchen at night... The rescues are stuffed with dogs, many being needlessly put to sleep, so it would be good to work out a way for this dog to enjoy his home rather than call in the RSPCA or let things deteriorate so the neighbours are calling them (or the council if it becomes a noise nuisance). If it's an old dog they are likely to have him PTS.