Found dog - what to do!

Doglost10101

The vet said the dog had clearly had mange for a long time, her back end was practically hairless and was so scabby. The dog was covered in fleas also. The vet said she was clearly neglected, but in all fairness we all presumed the poor dog had been 'lost' for a while due how bad she was, how skinny she was and her overall condition. The fact that the owners lost the dog Monday is horrendous and it's clear that it was wilful neglect to us, rather than a dog just running stray.

jrtfan

OP, I'm so sorry to hear of this awful experience.

In spite of the RSPCA's unhelpful response initially, there is nothing to stop your friend or you from reporting a possible case of neglect to them now. You say your friend had a phone number for the owners; and maybe the police took some more details from them when they attended the station. The RSPCA could go via this route to trace the dog, if you were to alert them now.

It might be that they couldn't intervene previously because the owner had been traced and it was a question of them having to abide by what the law says.

teddysmum

The RSPCA are too busy stashing away donations for the top pigs' trough. They no longer seem to care about animals, unless it's to get them good publicity; hence more donations.


I only give to small rescues, run mainly by volunteers and open about where the money goes.

tesuhoha

If you have taken any photos I would go to the local press with the story.

Sagz_2

Unfortunately your average PC doesn't know they have the power to seize a dog:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/18

I'd go back to the Vet and ask if they are willing to make a statement saying the dog is neglected or suffering (some will, some just don't want to get involved).

If you can get this undertaking from the Vet then go back to the police and ask them to uphold the Animal Welfare Act. Get them to officially record your request.

Try your local authority Animal Warden, usually part of environmental health Dept. See if they will help the dog.

Last resort, go back to RSPCA, hopefully armed with the word of the Vet, and ask them to act to allivate the suffering of the dog.

Local papers might be the next step if no one else will help.
Very best of luck, don't give up!

catkins

I'd get back on to the police and the RSPCA. Tell them that you are concerned about the dog and are thinking of going to the local papers. That should, hopefully, make at least 1 of them actually do something useful.

I must admit that the few times I have contacted the RSPCA they have been totally useless.