Crueltly case

[pmjblue]

To cut a long story short, I was shown a dog on Saturday that 'lives' in a one bedroomed flat. The owner works and is out of the house from 7am - 7pm, and sometimes later, 6 days a week. The dog is taken out for five minutes twice a day, and has 'never' been off the lead as the owner says it would run off (dont blame it!). It is a husky, and 8 years old. It is totally institutionalised, good natured with people but not with other animals, apparently. It is quite thin, but not from lack of food, although it can only eat chicken on the advice of a vet due to digestive problems, but from lack of muscle tone. I feel like I should report it, not that the RSPCA would do anything, as it is fed and watered, and the owner claims to love it. But if I do, I cant see that it is fit to be re homed, and I would be in a very difficult position as the owner rents the flat from a friend - which is how I got to see the dog in the first place. It is worrying me stupid, and I feel awful if I dont do anything. any advice?

[kita1]

The new Animal Welfare Act comes into force in April. This enables the RSPCA etc. to prosecute in cases 'likely to cause suffering'. You could also try your local dog warden, they will visit and have a chat with the owner. The breed rescue may also be able to help (they are very tactful).

Surely other neighbours etc. must see the dog and know of its existance, so the person would not necessarily know it was you who reported them.

Could your friend not introduce rules to say the people are not allowed to have a dog? She could say she has received complaints about the dog barking, howling etc.

Dogs Trust and Blue Cross centres will try their best to retrain and rehome virtually any dog, so it could well stand a good chance of being rehomed.

Other than that you could 'admire' the dog and offer to help them if they have any problems at all with it, sometimes people just don't know where to turn and a kind offer of help can open the channels to the dog getting a better life.

[megan07]

Hi pmjblue if i was in your position i would still call the RSPCA just to see what advice they could give you . and i think you have every right to feel concerned if this person works these long hours could they be geting good money and if so and they ADORED their pet i think they should pay some one to be with the dog for the good part of the day i have to say my dog is looked after like a king myself or my partner or my daughter is with him you do seem to be in a sticky situation pmjblue i do hope things work out ok love megan

[megan07]

Pmjblue i also agree very much with Kita1 best of luck love megan

[pmjblue]

the person that showed me the dog (who used to be heavily involved in rescue) has a key to the flat as she has been asked to go in an check on the dog when it has a poorly tummy. We tried to take it a walk, but it pulled like mad, and we were worried in case it pulled us over and we lost it. She has already been spoken to in very strong terms, and her answer was 'what am I supposed to do, I have to work'. It was recommended that she found it another home, and she said no way, as she loved it. If it is reported now, they will know it is me. But......someone has threatened to remove it from the flat when she isnt there. It doesnt bark at all, totally submissive. Sometimes it doesnt even pick its head up when you go in to it. She leaves the TV on for it all day as well, which I think is a danger in itself. I have never met the owner, and I have been visiting the flats for years, so just shows how often the dog is out. If and when I do meet her, she will have a peace of my mind.

[megan07]

Pmjblue that has brought a lump to my throat i do hope eventually you can turn out to be this dogs saviour wishing you and this dog lots of luck megan

[kita1]

Maybe it would have been a good thing if it had 'pulled you over' and you 'lost' it! (Then took it to your nearest non-destruction rescue centre).

If the person who has threatened to remove the dog is a responsible person and will find it a good home then I would encourage them.

Leaving a TV on is a risk, not only to the dog but to the neighbours as well, what if there was an electrical fault and a fire?

Could she not find someone to go in and keep the dog company? Maybe also take it out for walks?

Do you not have a dog walking service in your area? Maybe you could get them to put a leaflet through her door advertising their service.

At least the dog has the run of the flat, unlike a row I had with someone on here not long ago who kept a two year old boxer in a cage for 9 hours a day (and thought it was better off than in the rescue she got it from!).

[kita1]

This was the question I was referring to

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Question241263.html

When I read it again, your husky does not seem to have too bad a time of it! At least it is a bit older and seems to be settled to the life.

As you can see from the answers in the above question people (and vets) seem to have very differing points of view as to what is cruel!

Sad but true!

[Dee Sa]

pls report this dog, dont have it on your consience, if the RSPCA say its fine then you have nothing else to worry about. The fact that you have posted this question shows you are concerned.Ask to remain anonymous, but do something now and sleep easier in your bed.The poor dog cant help itself but you can make a difference.Please make that phone call.Call from a phone box make out you are a neighbour, but do something.
What about food during the hours the dog is alone, and no wonder it has a bad stomach if it has to hold onto its wee for hours on end, how can the owner do this ?

[leelapops]

kita1-your cross-post does demonstrate people's differing attitudes to leaving their dogs. There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said, but pmjblue I do hope you report this case. As the previous post said, at least you will know you did what's best for the dog's welfare. I am no breed expert, but I was under the impression that huskies need quite a lot of exercise and stimulation. Surely it can't be right that it's left for so long, and has such a poor quality of life?
I appreciate that its owner loves it, but if that's truly the case, then the dogs welfare should be at the forefront of the owner's mind, and if that means rehoming the dog, then maybe that's the best situation.

I adore my boy Collie, Jack, he means the world to me, but if ever my circumstances changed I would HAVE to think about what was best for him.

I do hope something is done, and that your friendship isn't jeopardised.

Lisa.

[JanineG]

Husky's are notorious for needing extensive walks! A total of 10 minutes a day is completely insufficient which is probably why the poor thing pulls so hard when she is out. I used to have a Samoyed, and she was walked for at least 40 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes lunchtime, 30 minutes in the early evening and then another 10/15 minutes about 10.00pm.

And also - dogs shouldn't be home alone for more than 4 hours at a time (certainly not when they have no access to a garden for toilet time).

Please keep us posted as to what you decide to do.

xx

[pmjblue]

will speak to my friend tomorrow - i checked the rspca website and it states that a dog should be able to display normal behaviour, which obviously this one cannot do. But just worried if they take it away from her, what will become of it. I am told she loves it to bits, but just doesnt seem to be able to consider its welfare and is rather selfish taking her own feelings into account rather than the dogs.