hi i was just after some thoughts on weather you think this is crual or not. everytime i walk down my street with my dogs to take them out there is a german shephard tied up outside the door. its just tied up with a lead so cant really get up and run about. the dog does not even get up it just lies there and i feel really sorry for it. last night i walked down at about 8pm and it was raining and it was still tied up outside i have noticed it there a lot recently. would you class this is cruel. and also i dont understand why shee does not just put it in the back garden if she is going to put it out, as the back is a big garden that is all enclosed so she would not need to tie it up. that is obviously where her kids play tho

Hmm, doesn't sound very nice for the dog. Have you been all different times of the day and evening, so you're sure she doesn't just tie him outside for 10 minutes while hoovering / cleaning up the dog room or something? He should still have a lead long enough to allow him freedom of movement, and some shelter from the weather. So hard to tell without knowing all the facts of that household, but it does sound dodgy.

Yes it is Report them to the local dog warden or RSPCA asap :)

Shelter from the weather is one of the RSPCA's welfare criteria. Perhaps you could give them a ring (you can remain anonymous) and ask them to look into it? A quiet word might be all that's needed.

IMO yes, it is, but I'm not a lover of seeing any dog chained or roped up.

I think the RSPCA are none responsive, unless the dog does not have somewhere to shelter and have food and water.

Does the dog look healthy, is it walked daily?

I don't like dogs outside, unless in kennels, perhaps this GSD can jump the fence so they tie it up.

Like you I would be feeling very sorry for the dog, but unless it is lacking in any of the above there is little to do I'm afraid. :-(

yes well in that case if ther are going to tie it up tie it on a very long lead at the back. i think its tied to the bin at the front,and since we live on a new estate i guess you can imagine what the front gardens are like. open plan and not even worth calling a garden. . cant tell if the dog looks healthy as it just looks sulky.it does not even budge when i walk down with my dogs. my sister had mantioned it when she walked up a few weeks again then later that day about an hour or so we walked back down it was still tyed up. i have noticed it there alot since my sis mentioned it about 8 weeks ago..not really sure how long its there for but i will see if i can find out. i dont think its there all day but i get the impression she puts it out for a few hours several times a day especially when the kids are back from school. there quite young maybe about 3 and 5.

The trouble with being tid on a long lead is the risk of getting tangled. If a dog must be tethered then a 'running line' would be better, where the dog's lead is attached to a washing-line affair, with the lead long enough for the dog to lie down but not long enough for it to step over it.

Sulky........... most probably very depressed the poor thing. :-(

Is it a pup or an adult?

To be honest, I think you are able to ring the RSPCA anyway, if this dog is tied to a bin in an open fronted garden, it could very possibly pull the bin over, get hurt or escape or be stolen. Your call would be annonymous.

Me, being me I would probably knock on the door and say something. politely, or perhaps if not brave enough put a note through the door, to say the dog could easily be stolen and looks very depressed and perhaps a dog gate to seperate the dog from the children would be more appropriate.

It is difficult when all facts are not known, but I guess the RSPCA could sort it out, just by visiting even if they have nothing to chastise the owner for, it will make her think others are watching.

the dog prob looks about 6ish, however i do think dogs look older when they are depressed. when the dog is in the house and the doors open and i am walking past with my dog. you can always hear here yelling at it to get it away from the door because my dogs are walking down the street, and i always think why are you shouting at the dog it never ever approaches anywere near my dogs anyway. i will ring rspca see what they say.

Ring the RSPCA today, at least then they might call on the house.

Is it just me or have other people had bad experiances with the RSPCA??? I dont actually hold them in very high esteem. I rang up to report my neighbour(anonomously). They have had a lab for about 4 years. It has been walked a handful of times (6-10) in those 4 years He is in the garden day and night. Constantly barks which is a real nuisance but totally understandable for the poor dog and is generally in not great condition. I feel so sorry for him - he could be a great pet to someone prepared to give him some love, affection and TLC. The RSPCA say because he has shelter - a little "lean to" at the back of the house and access to food and water then its not an issue. When i went to puppy socialisation classes we were told dogs need food, water, shelter, warmth plus regular exercise, companionship and to feel part of the family. I've felt like banging my head on a brick wall as RSPCA just dont want to know. So frustrating

Don't talk to me about the RSPCA.

Different issue  (horses)  but  some years ago there were some horses in a field who were far too thin. BUT because the owner was feeding them a slice - not a bale; a SLICE - of hay once a week, between 5 horses, the RSPCA wouldn't act. The horses were  "seen to be fed"  so they couldnt do a thing, apparently 

They eventually began to act when the horses starting dying.  The first to die, a Shire X, was so thin that its carcass was light enough for 4 people to drag it up the horsebox ramp 

Surely since the new Animal Welfare Act was passed in April this year, something can be done here.  Legislation requires you to provide a suitable environment and diet, and that the animal is allowed to behave normally. It's not able to behave naturally if tied to a bin.  The law now states that you are required to protect ALL pets from pain, suffering, injury and disease.  I consider that a depressed dog is suffering.  I've only cut and pasted a couple of quotes from the act, because it's so long, but I would get in touch with the dog warden as well as the RSPCA.  Why do such unsuitable people own dogs?  If you can't be bothered with one, nobody MAKES you have one.  Grrrrrr!!!!!!

Definitely ring the RSPCA. I am not the greatest of lovers of them but when I saw a local dog being left in a small double glazed porch when the woman went out, I rang them and they did go out and checked the dog out, gave her some advice and told her to get some weight off her dog for the dogs health. So they definitely acted upon my phone call that time.

Yes, my friend's had bad experiences with calling them and them not doing anything, then the dogs dying. :-(

There was a young GSD lived not far from me two years back and he was always tied up outside even late at night in the snow. But he had food and was healthy so nothing could be done. Broke his rope and chased kids a couple of times.People complained but he was well fed and watered.  Down the other end of the street a family bought a GSD and he was kept in a small shed. Both families considered these as guard dogs. These were in expensive houses in leafy lane suburbia.

the RSPCA has to investigate ALL calls so its always worth reporting