I can't believe this and need to vent...

My daughter lives in a ground floor flat in the middle of a terrace of large houses. The neighbours on one side own the whole house, and have a sweet bitch labrador. We happen to know the lady who lives on the other side of this neighbour, and when my daughter and her husband moved into the flat, she warned about the dog next door barking and crying all the time.

Anyway, my daughter called last week to say that the dog hadn't stopped crying/whining/scratching/howling all day. She said she was sure that nobody was in. Well, at around 6pm somebody did come in, but only stayed a few minutes before leaving again. Commotion starts all over again. My daughter called the Council/RSPCA (waste of time) and has called me throughout last week getting more and more distressed because it seems the only time someone is coming into the house is during the early evening. There has been no evidence of the dog being taken out at all, and the poor thing is so distressed, she is crying almost ALL the time.

Short of breaking into the house and releasing the dog, which they haven't considered, I've been at a loss to advise her what to do about this situation. It really does make me upset to think of this dog in this distressed state... don't they care about her AT ALL??

All she wants is company and some love... why couldn't the family use some of their "holiday" money to find a nice place for her to stay whilst they were sunning it up somewhere? Why would they think that a friend dropping in once a day to feed her is remotely nearly enough?

My daughter has a young bitch which we bred last year living with her, and she would be more than willing to help out rather than listen to this pitiful crying every time the family leave her, now it appears they have been gone for at least a week, and nothing can be done...

I'm at a loss, perhaps someone has a suggestion?

Vent over......

What an awful situation. Is it possible for any one to speak to the person who is popping in ? not ideal but could your daughter offer to look after the dog if said person is spoken to ?

I do not know the law regarding this but I would try the rspca again or the dog warden surely this cant be right even if someone is feeding the dog and maybe letting it out once a day it must be close to negglect ( Iwould deffinitly call it neglect)
Hopeful someone who does know something will be on here soon with some ideas 

If that was me I would definitely get onto the RSPCA again and insist someone goes round ask to speak to someone in authority as they are probably only talking to reception or switchboard I would not let it rest until something is done.

RSPCA won't want to know.  My parents' neighbours once went on holiday and left their Westie at home, with someone popping round twice a day (not even walking it).  The RSPCA told my parents that as long as the dog had food and water, they wouldn't get involved.

I think my daughter has come up against a brick wall with both the dog wardens and also the RSPCA. It's driving her to distraction this poor dog is wailing all the time, she even asked me if I could hear over the phone, which I could. I daren't go around there, because I'm sure I would be bashing down the door!

I would be challenging the person coming in, but I'm not sure my daughter has the confidence to to that.

A very frustrating situation, I just hope one of the neighbours talks to them when they come back. If not, I don't think I've got anything to loose by giving them a piece of my mind. Might just do it!!!!!

Will the police help ?, they would be round quick enough if you broke the door down to get the dog out, so maybe a call telling them that you intend to do this would get some attention. And then name and shame with the local newspaper, they usually enjoy a story of a dog abandoned by owners etc.....
Sorry but people like this bring out the worst in me and I become very bitter and twisted thinking of this poor animal.

Ask your daughter to try phoning the police - not the emergency number - just the number of the local station.  Tell them that the neighbour has gone on holiday and the dog is distressed.  Also say that they (your daughter) has not seen anyone entering the house to take care of it.  Remind them that the temperatures have been high

It may depend on the person who answers the phone but the police may be more likely to take action than the RSPCA.  It's got to be worth a try.

You may also want to ask what the legal position is if a concerned neighbour were to attempt to get in and remove the dog from harm.  This might also indicate the seriousness of the situation and guarantee some action.  The police will sometimes call the RSPCA direct and give them access to the house to help the dog.

I hope you can get some support.  The cruelty and ignorance of some people is astonishing

The law is that if an animal has shelter, food and water, and is checked at least once every 24 hours, then no offence has been committed.

> The law is that if an animal has shelter, food and water, and is checked at least once every 24 hours, then no offence has been committed.

Sometimes, the law is an ass.     I would phone the local council & complain about the noise.  I bet the dog warden is bought in asap to get something sorted out!

>Sometimes, the law is an ass.

Yes, but it'd be wrong to blame the RSPCA for that. They have to obey the law, however flawed it might be.

The dog warden will be uncontactable till Monday morning; councils only work office hours. The change in the law to remove all responsibility for dogs from the police was a huge mistake IMO.

> The change in the law to remove all responsibility for dogs from the police was a huge mistake IMO.

ANOTHER the law's an ass comment!

Funnily enough I used to work with the local dog wardens, one was actually an ex police dog handler...lol!

With a bit of luck these people will be home within the next couple of days but by then it'll be too late as that poor dog has been alone for at least a week! As others have said, it makes me so upset to think of that dog in so much distress. No wonder she cries whenever she's left, I doubt she even trusts they're coming back for her. Makes me so sad I could cry...

My daughter has called the council several times and all they could do was send her a diary sheet so she can note when the noise is occurring. I guess this may help in the long run, but I still think they should go with the other neighbours from the other side and have a chat with them on their return. I read the other thread about the dogs barking, and I agree that if possible these things should be resolved without bringing in outside authorities if possible.

In this case, I have severe doubts if this dog should even be with them... they obviously don't give a jot about her.... so sad!!

I have a worse one, a friend of mine who used to post here had a neighbour ringing them for advice as their BT (not sure if that is Border Terrier or Bull Terrier) bitch had gone into labour, her first litter. 

They had been ringing for 24 hours, then they go out and leave her to watch the football at the pub!!!

She has been round to look through the windows, bitch distressed and crying.  she has rung them, and their answer was that they expected her to get on with it herself!!!

That is so sad, poor girl...!

A friend of mine had a lovely Labrador dog, mated with next door neighbour's bitch, kept a bitch puppy from the litter. She was mated by her father on her first season, they thankfully got the injection so she didn't conceive, but didn't get the father castrated in time - she came back into season & he mated her again. The owners are oblivious to the fact that their bitch is pregnant... the wife who doesn't really like the dogs came home from work to find their girl having pups. Well they went to the pub, came back later and five had been born, thought she must have finished and went to bed. In the morning, 3 more pups......

This bitch was just over a year old at the time, she had no bedding other than an old blanket in a chewed up old plastic dog bed, and apart from one stillbirth (which the husband put outside and left there and the bitch went outside later and brought it back in) all survived. She was a great little mum to those babies, and despite the husbands initial excitement at having all these puppies to sell and make money from (he even sent me a stupid message on Facebook boasting that they'd had puppies before us) they had massive problems homing the pups and ended up giving them away.

Both humans worked full-time & were having an extension built on their house, so pups spent majority of the day in a crate. It used to break my heart every time I went round, but I gave practical advice and help rather than condemnation for the sake of the bitch.

Went for a visit a few months ago and they've now rehomed the bitch, she was just "too much trouble".

That must be one of the hardest things I've had to be witness to, friends for years, but not now....!!

Well undeservedly the bitch had 3 bitches and two dogs with no problems, lord knows what they are going to do when rearing them..

My neighbour does this alot, nothing much you can do if someone is checking on the dog and it has food and water but the noise problem could be the way to go, maybe try to record the dog crying and catch whoever is checking on the dog and explain that it is unexceptable and if they cannot spend more time with the dog that you will have to contact the environmental health department because it is causing you distress.
If your daughter cannot catch the dog visitor, I would still record the dog crying and talk to the neighbours when they return. They may not realise that their lovely dog has been so upset...might make them think twice about doing it again?
Good luck.
Paula

The owners may be under the impression that their friend is coming round several times a day and walking the dog, but the friend hasn't bothered to do more than the legal minimum (wouldn't be the first time this has happened); and no doubt this poor dog will have terrible separation anxiety, possibly for the rest of its life. At the very least I would put a letter through their door once they come back and explain exactly what's been happening, and that had your daughter been aware of their dog-sitting needs she would have been happy to help.

Well I saw my daughter this afternoon and she has done just that, dropped a letter through the door explaining all the commotion, and offering to help if needed.

What's worrying is that nobody has seen any sign of the person coming in for the past 48 hours probably because the owners are due back? Anyway, I think all the neighbours have just about had enough so the owners will be in for quite a welcoming party when they do return!!

maybe the situation isnt atall as you are imagining and maybe there has been a family emergency that they have to go deal with? Maybe they have had to just make an emergency plan like this for a few days and not be on holiday atall? Once you know the facts then is the time to take them to task or whatever.

> maybe the situation isnt atall as you are imagining and maybe there has been a family emergency that they have to go deal with?

I did wonder about that myself... certainly if something like that happened here and I was unable to take my dog with me, it might be very similar.

> maybe the situation isnt atall as you are imagining and maybe there has been a family emergency that they have to go deal with? Maybe they have had to just make an emergency plan like this for a few days and not be on holiday atall? Once you know the facts then is the time to take them to task or whatever.

Regardless of whatever facts are for leaving the dog, the dog does not deserve to be shut in 24 hours aday.

Why don't you contact your local newspaper?  Either the newsdesk or send them en email, mentioning the fact that the authorities have done nothing and the noise level and the distress of the dog is terrible.  Maybe said authorities would view it in a different light.  If the owners had had an emergency, they could surely have arranged someone to look after the dog or pay for kennels.  There really is no excuse.

Hopefully the facts will come to light; can you update us please when you find out more?
It would be interesting to know. Meanwhile, I do feel very sorry for the poor young labrador :(
However is she relieving herself; is the person who visits cleaning up, or will be be told off for making a mess?
Is she trying to hold on all day?

The dog is clearly suffering mentally, IMO, and this does contravene the Animal Welfare Act, IMO. It could also be argued that the dog is not being allowed to exhibit normal behaviour patterns....

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/act/index.htm

Lindsay
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any news?

I would definately contact the local newspaper about the dogs distress the lack of concern and inadequate arrangements made by the owners, lack of concern by the authorities such as Council, RSPCA and Police reminding them that they all have a responsibilty and duty of care under the Animal Welfare Act.  Poor poor dog, I would have made much, much more fuss and got someones attention to deal with this if the dog was so distressed as described on here. Issolation anxiety, unable to relieve itself if normally clean, etc disgraceful lack of responsibility by all concerned.

Hi all

Well the news is a bit baffling! My daughter dropped a note through the door yesterday after she was sure that nobody had been in for over 24 hours. Since last night there hasn't been a sound. I'm thinking the person who has been attending to the dog (in the loosest possible terms!) has taken the dog away. The owners still aren't back (their car is still outside).

Something else my daughter said was that an upstairs window was wide open and banging against it's hinges, and a passer by was heard making comment about the dog at the window!!! OMG it's hard to imagine isn't it?

I had to go round twice today, once to pick my daughter's dog up, and again to drop her off and I didn't hear anything.

Needless to say, the lady in the flat upstairs, my daughter and her husband, and the family living the other side of the people's house (they're in a terrace) are all going to stand together to sort this out. Unfortunately now this very unpleasant business which started a week ago, is much too late for the poor dog who has suffered who knows what untold damage psychologically. I have seen her (the dog) a few times, a really sweet lab bitch.

Will be sure to update with outcome as soon as I hear.

What a strange situation, I hope the dog in her desperation didn't somehow get out of the window!

It's good at least that your daughter is close by to help her. But it's all very baffling!
Perhaps now with the window thing, the police  if contacted, would go around and check out the place??
Well, you never know.

Lindsay
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It would be well worth getting someone to check indoors just in case the dog is lying there ill with no one to help it.

If you haven't already I would contact the police due to the fact the window is now open, unexplained entry/exit with neighbours away and dissapearance which is more important to us but maybe lesser importance to the police - the dog. Ask for a crime reference number to enable you to check a result if any on the whereabouts of the dog.  Maybe the person comming in  has taken her but why was the property left insecure?  Has the dog been stolen or rescued others may have had concerns too in the area.  

Please update as and when. 

Was the window broken, could the dog have jumped out - injured or worse?  Maybe worth contacting the Council again in case the dog has ended up injured or a stray in pound or local vets notified if injured?

I have just seen this. Cannot believe anybody thinks its ok to leave a dog  for a week and just have someone pop in a few times a day why have pets if you cant commit to them. that poor dog must be miserable and bored.

Window open ? Home Now quiet? I really hope the dog hasnt jumped out.

I've gone on holiday and had someone pop in a few time each day, only once and it worked well.  Unfortunately not everyone thinks of dogs the way that we do sadly.

Maybe worth contacting the Council again in case the dog has ended up injured or a stray in pound or local vets notified if injured?

I agree. In fact just thinking about this again, in case the lab has got out, don't some places only keep the dogs for seven days? Sorry I know it may sound rather dramatic, but it would be pretty awful if the dog has got out and been taken to a pound, only to have 7 days.

I hope the mystery is solved soon. But the police certainly should act now.

Lindsay
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Have been following the post, think I would have broken in by now - is there any news?

Unfortunately, my daughter's husband had to go into hospital about 25 miles away for some tests which they then kept him in for the night, thus the reason for me going round and picking up/dropping off their dog on Monday. He's home now, but they've had other things to worry about.

I'm hoping that the person coming in has read the letter and decided to take the dog away. The window is no longer open, so they must have closed that too.

I will ask her to do all which has been suggested, just to make sure something awful hasn't happened to the dog.

I'm sorry, but there is absolutley no way I would ever go on holiday and leave my dogs at home. It's not something I would do in a million years - dogs need company, even if you have more than one. I don't really like kennels either, such an alien environment etc/ so much noise! but I know most settle after a while, but at least they are being cared for...!

My definite preference now is to send my dogs to a home boarder. With a little forethought it is quite possible to find an excellent place for them to stay... and it doesn't always have to cost the earth. I had to board my 2 (+ my daughter's pup) a couple of month's ago for a couple of nights for my daughter's wedding. We almost had 4 to board (1 pup returned to us at 9 month's - but he was rehomed), and for 4 dogs it would have been £30 per night. It came down to £25 for 3 dogs per night. And we have Golden Retrievers, so quite a lot of dog...lol! IMO it's a responsibility as a dog owner to make proper arrangements for them, the cost should be factored in, if it isn't possible for them to have a holiday at a friend's house, or for someone to come and stay at youre.

> dogs need company, even if you have more than one.

My thoughts too. You can just about get away with 'popping in' to care for cats as they are much more outdoorsy and independant but i wouldnt be happy doing that for my dog. I would ask family/friends/homeboarder/house sitter and then finally put him in kennels as a last resort. Never leaving him alone with someone coming in a few times a day.

> With a little forethought

I will not leave the dogs alone for more than four hours, realise this is restricitive but do not believe it is responsible or fair to leave them for longer. Yes, we all have times when emergencies or the unexpected happen but even then with forethought, back up can be arranged. Durring the last year with my OH undergoing treatment, frequent emergency visits to the hospital, I have always (so far) managed to organise the dogs. Not easy when we have just moved to a new area but have always made sure that I have friends and neighbours to ring for assistance. Last resort would be to take them in the car, not ideal but better than leaving them all day with both of us worrying.

Hope all well with your son in law.

I think this situation is more common then we like to think.  I have heard of it happening twice along the lane where I live.  The first person had someone coming along twice a day to let the dogs out - in both cases there were 2 dogs - the bitch was pregnant - so at least they had each other's company.  In the second case the dogs were in an outside run.  Both owners have now moved away which is a big relief because we don't have those dogs roaming up and down the lane and creating more pups!  All labs!

Any news or sightings of this poor dog?