Should I report them?

Graces7

Shanao wrote: »

"4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind."

Number four in the five freedoms of animal welfare. Sure doesn't sound like that dog is being allowed to express normal or natural behaviour. Not if it's worn out a circular path in the grass!!

Sadly that is not law here ... if only.

Is the dog chained up?

Graces7

Originally Posted by newmug
They obviously DO care about him, he's fat, has a kennel, if they didnt want him they'd either sell him, stray him, or have him put down. DO call the SPCA, they'd probably give his owners a medal for good animal welfare! Jaysus, some people
Sometimes a post appears here that helps to explain why this country has such an appalling record in animal welfare. Maybe you really believe that this is all a dog needs, maybe you are genuinely ill informed, maybe you don't care ?.

In any civilised country & most of Europe the owner would be committing a criminal offence but this is Ireland. The owners would not be able to sell the dog. What do you mean by "stray the dog" - just throw it out ?.

Yet again a well meaning poster is being castigated for trying to help an animal in distress.

Discodog; thank you.

Relaying some of this to an (Irish)relative in Canada who opines that a law should be passed in Ireland to stop ALL dog breeding as she thinks that there are few here who know how to are for dogs. I assure her that some here on boards ie do.

The family we took collie from then bought a beautiful wee spaniel puppy; but of course he was not allowed in the house and a few months later was tied up on the lawn all the time alone and totally ruined.

And yes we reported that, but given that this was the same SPCA man who thought the pony was fine..

cocker5

perri winkles wrote: »

So my neighbours dog is outside 24/7. By himself, very little interaction, sometimes the grandkids play with it but very rarely (It's actually their dog that has been dumped in their grandparents garden)

He used to be able to get into our garden, and I loved it because I could give him a bit of attention and some food (they do feed him as he's a good weight, so not neglected in that sense)
Unfortunately, his owners tore down the hedge and built a big fence so he couldn't get in anymore :mad:


I know in my heart I should report them, every time there is bad weather I can't help but think of the poor thing out in the cold alone


The thing is, we get on quite well with the neighbours. They've been there for years as have we, and they have never bothered us or anything so my parents are really reluctant to p*ss them off. We don't want to fall out with them and I think they will know it was us (I throw treats over the fence to him the odd time Im sure they've figured it out!)


So what would you do? I feel awful for having ignored it for this long

Def report this dog... whatever about him being an outdoor dog (something i wouldnt have my dog do)... him being left for hours with no interaction is very unfair on the dog etc... just beacuse he is being fed doenst mean this is enough.. dog needs care and stimulation.. they are pack animals, they do not like to live alone..

I reported my mothers neighbours for something similar to the DSPCA, they called around and now the dog is far better off, it is totally confidential , they will not find out who reported them etc.. the DSPCA will call you back and give you an update etc....

OP the dog cannot speak for himself... so its up to humans to look out for them... best of luck!

perri winkles

Thank you everyone for your comments I really appreciate them all.

I was thinking about it, and if I did manage to get him off the owners, or if they agreed to give him up, I don't know what I would do with him then? My parents wouldn't let me have him in the house unfortunately They know that I would just want to keep him!
I have brought a dog up to the DSPCA before, and my two are from there. They only take in sick or injured animals, I suppose I could say he is a surrender, but as far as I know they say to ring the dog warden (could be wrong here?)

I would rather leave him where he is then see him end up in a pound Also, especially coming up to xmas I know that his chances of being rehomed have decreased. I just dont know what to do it's very disheartening

Tallon

What dog is he?

MsFifers

I wouldn't go the route of reporting these people, given the current legislation.

I think if you could give the dog a bit of interaction it would probably be ok, since its basic needs (food & shelter) are being taken care of. Maybe you could tell a story to your neighbours like - you are interested in dog training and would it be ok if you worked with their dog? Then you could bring it into your garden to play for a short while every day or bring it for walks etc.

I know this would probably only be a temporary solution, since its owners still won't be taking responsibility for it. But if you can develop a friendship with them, maybe you could go on about what a lovely dog he is and you could encourage them to either play with him or take him for walks - or - rehome him.

Unfortunately, I reckon there must be a million dogs in this country that have exactly the life of your neighbour's dog. Current welfare legislation won't allow any action to be taken, so I doubt the SPCA could do anything even if you did report it.

The Sweeper

Does he get on with your dogs?

Could you ask the neighbours if they'd let him come over to play with your dogs? You could tell them you're trying to socialise your bunch and you want to wear them out with a puppy play date.

Even if he's horrific on the lead you might find he plays very nicely in the yard with your own dogs for an hour or two a night - and once he's socialised with them and running nicely with them, you could take them out for walks together.

The problem with walking a dog for someone who neglects their dog, is if there is a dogfight or an accident while the animal is in your care, you might end up rowing with the neglectful owner over who is responsible for the vet bill. You have more control of the environment in your own yard.

Dempo1

Yes, report the issue asap. It is clear that there is certainly some neglect taking place. I am also mindful of the fact temperatures have plummeted, at the very least the Dog should have some shelter. I am also disgusted the animals owners don't even bother to take the dogs food out of the tin. There is no excuse for a dog to be treated in this manner, these people either want a pet or not, re homing the dog seems to me to be the best option for all concerned.

perri winkles

Well, buttons is sitting here next to me in my house I went in and asked could I bring him for a walk. My neighbour looked very suprised but brought me in and let him in. He cowered as he came in, and she seemed kind of embarrassed, saying "oh when I let him in I can't get him back out again". She said I can walk him whenever I want so will be taking her up o the offer.

I don't think I could walk him in this weather, he pulled me down their drive and he's quite strong, so would be scared of slipping (he's a collie spaniel mix)

My parents are out so brought him into mine. He doesn't know what to do, just keeps walking around sniffing everything and trying to sit on my lap. He's a sweetheart and it will be awful to hand him back, but at least he's getting a bit of attention.

Graces7

perri winkles wrote: »

Well, buttons is sitting here next to me in my house I went in and asked could I bring him for a walk. My neighbour looked very suprised but brought me in and let him in. He cowered as he came in, and she seemed kind of embarrassed, saying "oh when I let him in I can't get him back out again". She said I can walk him whenever I want so will be taking her up o the offer.

I don't think I could walk him in this weather, he pulled me down their drive and he's quite strong, so would be scared of slipping (he's a collie spaniel mix)

My parents are out so brought him into mine. He doesn't know what to do, just keeps walking around sniffing everything and trying to sit on my lap. He's a sweetheart and it will be awful to hand him back, but at least he's getting a bit of attention.

Would they even notice if you... omitted... to take him back? he sounds terrified of them and clearly has been hit?

Nasty_Girl

not necessarily hit,

When my sister got her dog he had been owned by a dog trainer who had strict rules with the dogs and he had never been in a house before. No neglect or cruelty he was just an outdoor dog in a big garden with two others.

When my sister brought him home and tried to bring him inside the house he flipped out and tried to run away because he felt like he was doing something bad by going in the house and couldn't understand why he had to go in.

Obviously the "owners" are not animal people, they probably don't know what to do with him or even understand him but can't get rid of him because it'll upset the grandkids.
The dog has been abandoned by his original master, I would imagine Collies' have a work ethic so maybe that's why he walks in circles.
The new "owners" probably don't know how to discipline or train him so when he misbehaves have probably shouted at him , hence the cowering, and maybe even hit him.

I think you are doing a great thing by taking an interest.

jjjade

you are doing a great job giving him some human contact and love !!!!! the thing about him being afraid to go into the house in his owners might just be the personalty of the dog.

before you all disagree hear me out lol!!! my mam has a westie and she is the queen of the castle and is spoilt rotten well loved but sometimes when you talk to her or go to rub her she puts the tail between the legs, ears back or down for no reason!!!!and if a stranger saw this reaction they would think she was beaten

we all know westies are spoilt queens!!! this one is well loved but its just a small strange trat on her personality. hopefully this makes sense lol

ppink

I agree as regards not necessarily being hit. One of ours we have had from a pup is very much like this and I know she has never been hit or had a voice raised to her.
OP I really dont know about reporting. If the law is food and shelter and the dog has those then there is not really a lot they can do i would think. you could enquire anyway but i would not hold out much hope.
do your parents mind you bringing him into your place?

Graces7

Nasty_Girl wrote: »

not necessarily hit,

When my sister got her dog he had been owned by a dog trainer who had strict rules with the dogs and he had never been in a house before. No neglect or cruelty he was just an outdoor dog in a big garden with two others.

When my sister brought him home and tried to bring him inside the house he flipped out and tried to run away because he felt like he was doing something bad by going in the house and couldn't understand why he had to go in.

Obviously the "owners" are not animal people, they probably don't know what to do with him or even understand him but can't get rid of him because it'll upset the grandkids.
The dog has been abandoned by his original master, I would imagine Collies' have a work ethic so maybe that's why he walks in circles.
The new "owners" probably don't know how to discipline or train him so when he misbehaves have probably shouted at him , hence the cowering, and maybe even hit him.

I think you are doing a great thing by taking an interest.

A good appraisal; but that is no excuse, is it? As it says in "Black Beauty" when a horse has been killed by this kind of ignorance" ONLY ignorance?" Typical of Ireland though... tolerance of the unacceptable.

Collies are high energy dogs; they get neurotic like this if not exercised and stimulated. Ours used to pace. Up and down, never still. Now she is well exercised that has stopped.

Discodog

perri winkles wrote: »

I was thinking about it, and if I did manage to get him off the owners, or if they agreed to give him up, I don't know what I would do with him then? My parents wouldn't let me have him in the house unfortunately They know that I would just want to keep him!

If you could persuade them that you know someone who would love to take the dog & then post here or PM me. Then we might be able to arrange for you to take the dog directly to the rescue.

perri winkles

Thanks Discodog that is really kind of you. I think Im going to bring him for a few more walks and things over the christmas holidays, and then ask, I don't want her to guess that it was my plan all along to try get him out of there!

I have a feeling she'll say no because of the grandkids (even though they have no interest in him from what I can see).
But fingers crossed! I'll let you know how I get on, I feel awful knowing he's out there now in that cold