Barking dogs kept in cages

Comms69

Look like pretty big cages; certainly room to move, stand up etc.

Not ideal for outdoor living, but good enough to keep dogs in for short periods of time.

Help1234

There is no shelter from weather and they are been kept outside 24/7 for the past year (since I moved in).

Gilead

How do you know if they have been kept outside 24/7 if you only just discovered where the property was located?

For what it is worth - they are big cages, with plenty of space and it looks well maintained i.e. from the pictures it looks like any mess has been cleared up and they are secure. Some breeds of dog are suited to being outside, and some are not.

Is the shed converted into a kennel? Is there bedding?

RSPCA will be interested in fresh water, shelter and general health of the dogs. They will have no concerns about the actual cages.

Help1234

I said they are outside 24/7 as they wake me up barking outside throughout the night and have done for the past year.

Gilead

Do you intend to live in your current property long-term? If you are in it for the long-term, go and speak to the owner and see how they respond. You mentioned possible renovations - if they have been substantial then maybe the dogs have been relocated to accommodate and may be an end in sight in terms of them going back indoors. If you are not happy with the response, then you either report to Council as a noise complaint or suck it up.

If you aren't sticking around that long and don't want a dispute, then do nothing and hope other neighbours intervene.

Personally, I think you have done the one thing that would absolutely anger any dog owner, and that is make a complaint to the RSPCA that there is neglect. It sounds from your description of the location that you may be in a more rural setting, and those who keep working dogs will often have them outside the majority of the time, if not all the time. It doesn't excuse constant barking, but it sounds like you have seen the cages and made an assumption that there is neglect. You were quick to contact the RSPCA but are dithering on a noise complaint to council even though it is the noise that is disrupting you.

The best course of action is to try and talk, if that fails then report to authorities.

Help1234

I've spoken to the person who lives in the house across the field from me and so is closer to them. He said they have kept the dogs outside 24/7 365 days of the year in cages for years. I can see the cages on Google street view, which says the images were taken in 2009. He said it has gone on so long he has gotten used to the constant barking. He said they do have access to that shed thing as a kennel so based on that I don't think the RSPCA will do anything. I made an assumption that keeping dogs in these conditions was neglect, particularly due to how the dogs are constantly barking, to me that indicates distress. I find the whole situation morally wrong but I understand now it is not illegal. I don't intend to be in this home more than 5 years so I guess moving forward it will be a case of putting up and shutting up for me. Thanks for the responses.

Comms69

Help1234 wrote: »

I've spoken to the person who lives in the house across the field from me and so is closer to them. He said they have kept the dogs outside 24/7 365 days of the year in cages for years. I can see the cages on Google street view, which says the images were taken in 2009. He said it has gone on so long he has gotten used to the constant barking. He said they do have access to that shed thing as a kennel so based on that I don't think the RSPCA will do anything. I made an assumption that keeping dogs in these conditions was neglect, particularly due to how the dogs are constantly barking, to me that indicates distress. I find the whole situation morally wrong but I understand now it is not illegal. I don't intend to be in this home more than 5 years so I guess moving forward it will be a case of putting up and shutting up for me. Thanks for the responses.

I do understand your position, but remember many breeds are quite robust and often used as working dogs.

Gavin83

Help1234 wrote: »

I've spoken to the person who lives in the house across the field from me and so is closer to them. He said they have kept the dogs outside 24/7 365 days of the year in cages for years. I can see the cages on Google street view, which says the images were taken in 2009. He said it has gone on so long he has gotten used to the constant barking. He said they do have access to that shed thing as a kennel so based on that I don't think the RSPCA will do anything. I made an assumption that keeping dogs in these conditions was neglect, particularly due to how the dogs are constantly barking, to me that indicates distress. I find the whole situation morally wrong but I understand now it is not illegal. I don't intend to be in this home more than 5 years so I guess moving forward it will be a case of putting up and shutting up for me. Thanks for the responses.

I'll second another poster, why have you been quick to report these dogs to the RSPCA but are reluctant to report the noise issue to the council? I'm wondering why you've bothered getting the RSPCA involved, if you think they'll remove the dogs it won't happen.

Isn't it a bit hypocritical to be taking the moral high ground in regards to the treatment of the dogs but completely dismiss your moral (and legal) obligation to report any such issue to a future buyer?

sheramber

Comms69 wrote: »

Look like pretty big cages; certainly room to move, stand up etc.

Not ideal for outdoor living, but good enough to keep dogs in for short periods of time.

Have you seen them?

sheramber

Gavin83 wrote: »

I'll second another poster, why have you been quick to report these dogs to the RSPCA but are reluctant to report the noise issue to the council? I'm wondering why you've bothered getting the RSPCA involved, if you think they'll remove the dogs it won't happen.

Isn't it a bit hypocritical to be taking the moral high ground in regards to the treatment of the dogs but completely dismiss your moral (and legal) obligation to report any such issue to a future buyer?

You can report something anonymously to the RSPCA but may have to reveal your details to the council.