Dog in a neglectful home :(

BrokenBetty_2

I know a young couple through work. Both have mental health problems. They struggle to look after themselves, to take their medication, to keep themselves and their home to any standard of cleanliness.

They are heavy smokers, drink alcohol several nights a week, and also use a range of legal highs several times a week.

They are not bad people, not aggressive or actively destructive, just neglectful of themselves and their surroundings.

That's the background. This week, they got a dog, a beautiful large dog (labrador size), with a very long coat that will need very regular brushing. She is a beautiful friendly dog. This couple wouldn't deliberately harm her. I have talked to them both, they haven't a clue about dog food / walks / leads / vaccinations / fleas / anything!!! But are determined to keep her. I had to tell them to put water down for her, the food looked like the bag (te5co's cheapest value dried food) had been tipped upside down onto a pile on the (very dirty) floor. There was a food bowl, but the food seemed to have missed it.

They won't let me help them rehome the dog. But I don't believe the poor dog will be have even basic food and water needs met.

Who do I call? Animal charity? Local authority?

elliesmemory1

The only organisation with any power is the rspca. They however are not always the best.
Do the couple live in social housing? If so try contacting them, otherwise maybe the dog warden could help.
The blue cross maybe could advise.
I hope you are able to help, I'm glad someone has the dogs best interests at heart.

elsien

I'd start with the RSPCA, although don't hold your breath that they'd necessarily do very much.
They take into account the 5 welfare needs
- somewhere suitable to live
- a proper diet, including fresh water
- the ability to express normal behaviour
- for any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
- protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury.
They can't remove unless there's serious issues going on, but they may visit, give advice and monitor what's happening. Or talk the couple into signing over the dog.

If you do contact them and nothing much seems to happen, keep contacting especially if your concerns get worse.
Our local dog warden service only seems to deal with strays.

Fosterdog

Do they have a support worker or any family support at all? Where did the dog come from? I'm guessing it's not a puppy if it's lab sized.

Although not an ideal home right now, with a bit of gentle guidance they may turn out to be very good owners. If they haven't even had the dog a week and he/she is not in any immediate danger then I can't see any organisations helping.

Would it be worth getting them a book on dog care or help them to come up with a care schedule including daily walks, feeding, water change, play time, grooming etc. Just until they get the hang of what caring for a dog involves. Show them some options of better quality food that will cost less in the long run as they will be feeding less.

You may find that once the novelty wears off and the dog is too much work they won't be so devoted to it and will come asking you for help to rehome him/her.

BrokenBetty_2

They are in social housing! I'll follow that one up. They have a history of being evicted from previous supported accommodation due to their being unable to maintain it (rubbish, cleanliness, noise complaints from neighbours etc).

They do have several support services involved, including myself, and have done for a few years. Although they are friendly people to work with, they tend to nod and smile and change the subject when support is offered, on the next visit their own hygiene, laundry, house cleanliness, rubbish bags, back and front garden, adherence to mental health meds etc remains much the same as the last time.

I've done the discussion about good quality dog food = less poops to clean + healthier dog. I got "sure dogs eat anything". Also walks "she likes the house".

They are telling me the very adult dog came from a local rescue, I checked and she didn't.

I'll contact the social housing provider, and be available to help them rehome. I don't think the novelty will last long!

catkins

I assume they are allowed dogs if they are in a social housing property?


As I say, it seems unlikely that will harm the dog on purpose but neglect can be just as bad. As you obviously know, a dog needs access to fresh water and a healthy diet. Also for the dog's mental wellbeing it needs exercise, preferably a walk outside and playing with inside and/or in a garden.


Will they train they dog in any way?


The fact that the dog is longhaired rings alarm bells. I have always had longhaired dogs and they take a lot of work. It doesn't sound as though the couple will be grooming the dog on a regular basis and that will obviously cause problems.


If it were me, I would get on to the social housing and see if they are interested. If they are not, I would probably wait a couple of weeks and see what happens with regard to the fresh water, food and grooming. A longhaired dog will start knotting up fairly quickly so it will be easy to tell if it is being brushed or not.


Is the dog housetrained? If not that is going to contribute to the overall state of the property which may concern the housing group.


I think at the moment the RSPCA probably would not be interested but if the dog is not cared for they hopefully may change their mind.

duchy

My experience with the RSPCA seems to indicate they might help.

We had a neighbour who used to report people for various things.

When it was my "turn" she reported me to the RSPCA for having a matted and underfed kitten who was allowed to wander out into the road.

The inspector knocked on my door - and I showed her my sleek and rather fat kitten and explained we had a cat flap in the back and the kitten used my big back garden and as we were in a terrace had never got around to the front of the house anyway. She did ask what the kitten ate and then asked about my other cats..... My biggest problem was getting rid of the woman as she fell in love with my other (very beautiful and fluffy glamour) cat.

So my experience is they will come round and have a look at the animal's living conditions and ask the right questions so in the OP's situation I'd defin itely give them a call.

BrokenBetty_2

Their social housing providers definately doesn't allow dogs, thankfully.

They said they didn't know if the dog was house trained, and had had her for a few days!

I'll call the RSPCA too - more the merrier!

Froglet

If the rules are that they are not allowed a dog,it shouldn't take much for the authorities to discover the rules are being broken by an anonymous phone call in the near future.............


Anyone who doesn't even realise a dog needs a bowl of water and it's food put into a dish should not be let anywhere near any animal.......