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Should I report this?

3 replies

mrsm22 · 29/05/2014 20:50

Hi,
I'm a massive animal lover and very concerned about animal welfare issues. I have two cats and love all animals. I'd like to point out that I am by no means a nosey neighbour. I am not friends as such with my neighbours but do speak to them to say hello and that sort of thing. I'm 38 weeks pregnant with my second child so the woman usually speaks to me about that if ir when I see her. To cut a long story short, my neighbours got a puppy (Labrador puppy) some months ago when he was a baby. He is now 7 or 8 months old and ever so cute and he is your typical puppy with loads of energy.
I happened to notice that they keep him in a metal cage nearly all of the time and I feel desperately sorry for him. He is kept in the cage practically all day every day and only now and again is let in the garden for a run round but this is not often and they never take him for a walk. As a puppy he needs exercise and should be taken out 3 times a day but he is cooped up in a cage that he can barely turn around in all day every day. They are a couple with 3 kids and when they go out as a family they don't even take the dog but leave him stuck in the cage. When they come home, I watch then let him out for maybe ten mins and then he's back in the cage.
Personally I am extremely against keeping any animal in a cage but this poor dog is being neglected and he's given no attention or exercise at all. He has no life and what they are doing is simply very cruel. I see him over the wall and I feel so sad for him. They go to work and shut him in the cage and even when they come home he is still in the cage.
When I saw my neighbours a couple of weeks ago in the garden I asked how they were getting on with their dog and they openly admitted they can't be bothered with him, that they don't have time for him and that they only got him for their daughter who loves him. The thing is that the daughter is only 14 and she doesn't have time for the dog either as she's at school and after school is with her friends. The man actually told me he can't stand the poor dog. Obviously I found it difficult to be polite but don't want to fall out with my neighbours so I was friendly but I am struggling to watch this go on. They have admitted to me that they would like to 'get rid' of the puppy but are afraid of upsetting the daughter but I think this us ludicrous and they need to just tell her that he should go to a better home. They are obviously very lazy people who don't care for animals or they would take responsibility, get rid of the cage and enjoy taking the dog out. I would offer to have him myself but don't think my cats would be happy and I have a young toddler plus a new baby on the way.
I really don't want to get on the wrong side of my neighbours but this is upsetting me and I feel it is an act of cruelty. He spends all day and night in a cage where other digs are running round parks etc. Would you take action and call the RSPCA or is that wrong? Will they know it's me, and/ or does it matter?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Many thanks for reading.

OP posts:
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wokeupwithasmile · 29/05/2014 21:28

BUmping. We need to get this doggy out of the cage, but I have heard that the RSPCA is not very helpful in these circumstances. Are there any rescue centres near you that can help?
Yes, falling out with your neighbour is not advisable, but doggy might just have you to look out for him, so IMO something should be done.

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frillyflower · 17/06/2014 07:31

Why don't you offer to have him and then rehome him responsibly yourself if it proves too difficult with your cats, baby etc.

At least you would have the peace of mind. It must be awful to see the poor thing in a cage all the time.

We had neighbours who bought 2 adorable whippet puppies and then never took them for a walk. They weren't caged, but obviously very frustrated at being confined to a small house and garden. I hate how thoughtless and cruel some people are.

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Figwin · 25/06/2014 10:22

This is 100% not good for the animal. They need to know that this 7 month old pup will grow into a massive handful that has little training and social skills and at 2 will be even more of a problem. Hopefully that insight will kick them into gear by taking it to a rescue centre where they can make sure it goes to a great, vetted new home.

If their daughter isn't looking after it now then if she goes to uni in 4 years she sure as he'll won't be then. They are the adults they need to take control of the situation.

If they don't I would call the RSPCA. They are the only ones who can step in other than the police who are unlikely to do anything due to time and I'm guessing you quite like your neighbours other than this situation so don't want to start that route.

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