can i please have your views on a very sensitive issue, i have had new neighbors for about 6 months, nice young couple new baby and a lovley lovley dog which i left outside from morning till evening, all weathers no shelter and constantly barking, sometimes he drinks from the drain!!! i hear him running up and down the garden through bordem as if hes got nothing else to do which he hasnt, dont get me wrong he gets let in sometimes and ive seen him being taken for a walk (a couple of times) he is a big dog and common sense tells you they need stimulation and excersise, he looks well feed and im sure he is loved, but it breaks my heart when i hear him barking and even crying, there is no shelter for him, my neighbor knows i can hear him barkin as she has been in my house when he was barkin and called her oh to let him in!!! the last think i want is confrontation between us, should i leave it and see how it goes throughout the summer as i will be outside with friends family and of course my dog and i hope she will no i dont want to listen to him barkin all day, its driving my sons made as they sleep in the back of the house and are often woke up early due to the barking. please what would you do. thanks for reading

You can report it tessisbest due to the fact that the dog has no shelter, it should also have water, if not food until they get home if left for hours at a time, and if it is left to bark for hours that too can be reported. 

How many hours would you say it is left approx each day? And from what times?

Dogs basic needs include fresh water, shelter and food. The barking seems to be sign of boredom or distress. I'm guessing he is let in during the night. A lot of people keep dogs outside when they are out but a shelter and fresh water is a must! Are there any chew toys/toys around to keep the dog occupied? Are you concerned that the dog is being mistreated (is he very skinny etc)? How are the owners when they are with the dog?Do you know the breed of the dog as some dogs are better suited to living outside than others?
It may just be that they are uneducated about caring for a dog and need a bit advice although surely the most naive owner knows a dog needs shelter. I'm not sure what I would do if this was my neighbour but for the dogs wellbeing I wouldn't do nothing until after summer as this dog needs shelter now from the winds and rain we are getting at the moment and shade from the sun in summer. Plus it is not fair on you or your family as it must be distressing for you to listen to. As I said I think something needs to be done but I'm not sure how to go about it. Maybe someone whos had experience of this will be along shortly to advise a bit better.

anythink from 1-2 hours sometimes all day. it breaks my heart to see him just sitting there im sure if he could talk he would tell me to come over and play with him

he looks well fed not skinny, he has no toys or chews he just chews at a shrub that was quite big but gettin smaller day by day, the owner told me he was a cross, staff and pitbull,, but to me he looks more of staff and boxer, i only ever hear them say 'get out' meaning outside or they bang on the window to try and stop him barking but he justs gets more excited especially when he can hear his owners talking laughing or have visiters. he loves it when my dog goes out in the garden as they seem to have a conversation with each other. i cant understand some people. it makes me so made but equally upsets me a great deal.

I would report it to your local Animal Control.  Tell them about the fact the dog has no shelter, no water, and is constantly barking. 
Do you have laws regarding noise levels and animal protection laws?  I only ask this, because I know some places dont have laws for animals, as they are property and you can do what you wish basically.

Poor pup!!!!  Wonder what would happen if you gave him a chew toy, so at least he has something to play with.  I can see by your words, that you are completely heartwrenched by the dogs situation. 

i have thrown a chew over for him, but it encourages him to jump up the fence panells and i dont want him to expect it every time i go in my garden

Do you think they actually want their dog?

If they are always telling him to "get out" and he has no shelter etc then that to me says that they don't really want him. I appreciate how you feel it would be very akward to upset your neighbours...perhaps talking to them in a friendly non-judgemental way may help?

Failing that I am not sure if you can do an anonymous call to rspca or local rescue?

i feel sad for the dog and he obviously needs more care than he's getting. I suspect they had the dog and then had a baby - dog no longer wanted.

Are your neighbours approachable enough to ask them about him and for you to give advice?? I only say this as if they find out you have reported them without speaking to them first it may start a very long neighbour feud which in some cases could get nasty and you do have to live next door to them.

i have thought many times about reporting them or do i talk to them first, if i talk to them and they do nothing and then i go and report them they will no that it was me wont they, i have lived happily in my home for nearlly 25years and never had conflict with neighbours, im hope they will move on as they argue between themselves also lots of shouting and swearing, but they can look after themselves its the dog i feel for.

Hi tessisbest,

I agree with Lorripop - a friendly chat with some sound, knowledgeable advice given in a helpway way just might be what makes a real difference here :)  As some others have mentioned it may be that this poor dog is really just a nuisance to the owners now so - difficult tactic I know - if you can work this round in the conversation then perhaps you can make them aware of some options to have this poor lad find a forever home elsewhere :)

From what you say it seems likely that they haven't looked at the bigger picture with the dog's future - surely other neighbours could eventually complain, whether directly to them or to the authorities?  So you could try and make them aware of the possible ongoing problems with their current arrangements (or rather lack of them!) and have a number of different solutions to offer depending on how easy you find them to be to discuss this with sensitively.

HTH, good luck, Teri :)

You can try phoning the RSPCA but dont hold out much hope. I was in a very simialr situation but the RSPCA were next to useless.
Maybe a friendly chat and offer some advice would be the road to go down??

mmm its a difficult one, think next time i see them i will mention the fact that the barking is a issue and affecting us all, i work nights so need to sleep in the day he never keeps me awake but i hav'nt got to let them no that i could make out that he is disturbing my sleep. that way way they might let him in the house. wish me luck i will keep you posted.