unintentional cruelty

[crisgal]

every day on my way home from work, i see an old man and a very old dog. He's on his motorised scooter and the dog walks behind.
It is on a busy road, a long way from any houses, so it must be a long walk.
The thing is, I know the man probably thinks he's being kind, taking the dog out every day, but she seems to really struggle to keep up with him. You know how old dogs seem to roll a bit when their hips are sore? Well she walks like that.
My mum has a scooter and even when she thinks she's going slow I have to walk quite fast to keep up with her.
I really worry about this poor dog and I'm sure one day I'll see the poor thing dead, still being dragged along behind the old man!
What can I do? I can't stop worrying about it!

[eash]

Contact the rspca for advice?

Next time you see them approach the old man and tell him you're concerned for the dog and explain why?

[crisgal]

well, it's a really busy road and I'm passing in my car - and i wouldn't know what to say! I mean it's none of my business really i suppose.

[Goofy]

if you are concerned, do as eash suggests and contact the RSPCA.

Tell them what time of day and where, and let them take it from there.

[jen78]

The Cinnamon Trust may also be able to help as they have volunteers who help out with care and walking and such.

If you know where he lives then you could have some info sent there or get them to contact him?

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/

[wildwood]

Would you rather have that the man leaves the dog at home to lie around all day and seize up completely?

It is essential for a dog with arthritis to exercise regularly which stimulates the secretion of lubricating fluids in the joints. It also keeps the muscles toned which all helps.

[crisgal]

funnily enough, wildwood, no i wouldn't rather that!
I thought it was bleedin' obvious i am an animal lover - why would I want that?
You haven't seen the old dog. She has long, very matted fur, is very dirty and appears to be very uncomfortable. She walks behind him, so he can't even see her. She is panting the whole time and doesn't even get the pleasure of sniffing around and doing a wee or anything.
I have to stop at two sets of lights and so see that he doesn't look round to see if she's ok.
i had thought of ringing RSPCA but was concerned I was overreacting. I just wanted a rational opinion from reliable, sensible Ab'ers.

[YvonneM]

Do it ring the RSPCA they would rather check and if nothing is wrong so what but if the dog has a matted coat like you say it is a good indication that it is not being cared for, whatever the reason. I had a simialr situation some years ago an old man walking a dog with claws that long it could hardly walk. I confronted him about the condition the dog was in and told him it needed to have them cut. He was very defensive but I said if I saw them like that again I would ring the RSPCA. I often wonder what happened cos I never saw him again.

[kita1]

Ring your local dog warden. They will probably be in a better position to find out where the bloke lives and go round and have a chat with him.

Being local to the area they are usually a better bet than the RSPCA.

[Velvetee]

Well you could speak to him, but some old folk can be cantankerous and he might just tell you to eff off. I suppose you could take it slowly, befriend him and engage him in conversation and lead up to the subject gradually.

Other than that, you could write an anonymous note to him, but then he might freak out that he's being stalked and keel over in shock.

Probably the best thing would be to talk in confidence to the RSPCA telling them your concerns. The old fellow, as you say probably has no idea his old mutt may be suffering.

[crisgal]

thanks everyone, i will do tomorrow x

[Jugglering]

Please keep us posted Cris.. I feel a bit sorry for both of them. On my drive to work every day, I pass an elderly gentleman who walks his lovely poodle and I know if I see them at 8 am in the morning, then the dog and the old fella are ok that morning... but when I don't see them I get a bit concerned cos I know that that the old fella lives on his own and it's only cos the dog needs a walk that they both go out.

[sophie_1003]

Please, please, please tell the man or the RSPCA, a man in the town where I live did this with his dog and the lead got caught around the wheel of the scooter and the dog was strangled and dragged for some way before the man (traumatised) realised. I'm not sure if this was even an old dog so accidents can and do happen. Hope this helps.

[crisgal]

oh my goodness, that's awful! I didn't get time today, but I will do tomorrow.