I've often seen a rather elderly looking dog wandering around the red-ways near the main road whilst walking Glazby.  There is never an owner in sight.  This dog barks and growls at Glazby when we try and walk past and I've actually started to turn and walk in the opposite direction whenever I see it now to save the aggrevation.  When I do this it slowly (its an old dog) starts to follow us.

It was out again this lunchtime and I saw another man nearby and so asked him if the dog was his.  He said no but he knew it belonged to an elderly lady who was unable to walk the dog anymore and doesn't have a garden so just lets it out of the house to wander free - apparently he always goes back to her eventually.

My worry is, the dog is always right next to the main road and I'm concerned that one day may, cause an accident or get hurt itself.  Obviously I don't want to upset anyone but was wondering - do you think I ought to find the owner and explain how dangerous it is to let her dog wander unaccompanied near a busy main road?  Should I report it?  I'm not sure what to do??!!

I'd contact the local dog-warden and explain the situation.

Daisy

Awwwww, if you find her have a word with her.  When I was 4-5, we had a Yorkshire Terrier called Bounce, who always used to take himself for a walk.  One day he pooed behind the settee just as guests were arriving so my mum got angry and sent him out for one of his solo walks out of her way.

My dad walked the streets searching for weeks after but we never saw him again :-(

My mum has lived with the guilt ever since, we were just talking about it the other day, and the rest of us have lived with the sadness that we never knew what happened to him.  Maybe if you can convince the lady not to do this but to find someone who will come and walk the dog for her once a day instead - I wouldn't like to think that the Dog Warden might have her companion taken away just through a bit of ignorance on her part, if a happy solution can be found.

And if anyone took in a wandering Yorkshire Terrier in Plumstead in circa 1979/1980, I'd love to know that Bounce had a happy life :-(

I think I'll try and find the lady and have a word with her first - she may not be aware of the danger.  Like you, I wouldn't want her to lose her dog if its her only companion.  If it continues after this then I will contact the dog warden - at least I'll have given her a chance to make other dog-walking arrangements.

I lost a cat last year (well, lost two - had to have one pts) and the other one ran away 2 weeks later - I  think she went to try and find Wilfred as she really did pine for him.  I never found out what happened to her and it really does break your heart - I just hope and pray that she found another home maybe with another cat to keep her company again...

I would report it to the dog warden immediately; apart from the risk to the dog there is the risk to other people by car drivers swerving to avoid dog and hitting/killing themselves/other drivers/pedestrians etc.  If the woman cannot walk it she should either rehome it or make arrangements for it to be exercised by someone else. Weighing her upset about the loss of her pet against the potential pain of the dog and other people I am afraid it would be no contest.  The potential for disaster is just too great, and so is the responsibility!

You could mention the Cinnamon Trust, a charity set up to help the elderly keep their dogs in their homes when they are unable to walk/take them to the Vets/Groomers etc.  They have a website.
Remember though that the elderly tend to be very proud, and don't like asking for help, maybe worth starting off my saying what a beautiful dog she has (lie if you have too! :)) and that you are worried he/she is going to get hurt
Good luck!
Hayley

Thanks Hayley - I'm a Hayley too!!

I will keep an eye out for the dog and take it back to her next time and will strike up a conversation - I wouldn't mind helping her myself If I can, an extra 10 minutes a day dog walking wouldn't do me any harm!!

Wish me luck!!

Good luck Charanda and thank goodness there are caring people like yourself out there :)

Just before I read your last post I was going to say is it possible you could walk it for her, even if you give it 2 5 min walks aday, its better then it walking itself.  Have a word with the owner first, see if you can come to some arragement with her and if she doesn't want anything to do with your help then call the dog warden!

Whatever you do, don't call the RSPCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rox