My neighbours don’t treat their dog well, what can I do?

[devandt]

My neighbours own a beautiful smiley rottie, he’s gorgeous, thing is though, they don’t ever pay him attention, their yard is pretty small and his shelter is a metal shed that has the door permanently propped open, where I live nights can be as cold as 0 in winter and days hot as 40 in summer.

The dogs very overweight because he gets a giant slop of food every night which is their only interaction with him and it lasts for about 1 minute on a good night, sometimes as little as 10 seconds. He never gets walked, never, he barks a lot which I really don’t care about, I have my own dog, but I mention it because he’s SO bored that barking at every little sound is all he can do.

About a week ago I heard my neighbour go out and make a small fuss because she bought him a toy, she played with him and the toy for about 1 minute then said good boy and went back inside

I asked if I could walk him for her the other day and she said no, I kind of insisted and she said it’s not even her dog it’s her partners and he’s not around. I asked her to ask him. She said he’s gone for a few weeks so don’t hold my breath, I think I might have burned a bridge in the convo too, she seemed offended at the idea her animal needs help and stimulation

I feel so bad for this beautiful guy… I mean by the letter of the law I don’t think I could mount a case that he’s being neglected but it’s hard to rationalise that when I hear him crying for his owner after she closes the back door following her 10 seconds of mandatory interaction with him…

 

[amos_6eight]

@devandt Look into the animal cruelty laws in your state. For instance, where I live:

"An owner who fails to provide an animal with necessary food, water, shelter, ventilation, rest, sanitation, space, or medical attention may be charged with failure to provide care. (2) Failure to provide care is a class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80."

It's entirely up to you if you want to go down that road though... Could be a slippery slope

 

[devandt]

@amos_6eight Love the thinking but by the law he’s “cared for” it’s just sad he’s constantly alone. There’s no law on how long you need to spend with your dog each day unfortunately.

 

[amos_6eight]

@devandt My thought process was more with him being outside all the time and in colder temperatures.

 

[pianoforte]

@amos_6eight It’s probably not sanitary either because you know they aren’t out there cleaning up after him if they only interact for a few minutes each day.

Poor buddy, this breaks my heart. Why have a dog if you’re just gonna treat them that way.

 

[andyb7777777]

@devandt But leaving him to live outdoors, when the temperature can go 0... and are you in the US?!? Because I live in Canada, and 0 is the freezing point, so I can only imagine how much colder 0 is in Celsius!!

I would strongly argue against being "cared for" - the dog doesn't get any exercise (per my understanding), little to no interaction with humans or dogs, and is nothing but an annoying fixture in their yard, that they overfeed, to the detriment of his health.

Fuck them, but also, I'm pretty jaded in knowing/having seen much worse cases of neglect and abuse (which this is a form of, absolutely), that I have to take a step and realize that while I wish the authorities would step in, it's unlikely to happen.

SO. On that note, I would be persistent with them. Wait until the guy is home, and go at him. Be friendly, toss a toy over the fence here and there, act like an excited teenager who wants to play with their dog, make it like they'd be doing you a favour. If you think he's friendly and would play well with your dog, use that as a reason - your dog is lonely!!

This, of course, being only if you're wanting to pursue it. To be clear, as difficult as it is to watch it happening, there's sadly only so much you can do, and you have to remember that it's not your responsibility, as much as you feel like it's your duty because you're seeing it happen.

I wish you all the luck, OP - you have a good heart, and I know seeing it hurts you, but even the steps you've already taken, trying to help, is more than most people would do.

I hope this poor pup feels the love through the fence

 

[shell369]

@andyb7777777 judging by this person's use of celsius, they probably aren't in the US.

 

[forrestzzz]

@amos_6eight Absolutely

 

[ocorthodox]

@devandt This is entirely dependent on your local laws. Look up your country, state, county and/or city laws on animal cruelty and neglect. Unfortunately many are archaic and if food, shelter and water are provided and they aren't physically abusing the dog (as in hitting or kicking it, etc) then legally there's nothing authorities can do. One option is to call noise complaints in to your local non-emergency police or animal control line. In my old jurisdiction if they got numerous calls about a barking dog in same location then animal control would investigate but YMMV. And it may make matters worse for the dog or your relationship with the neighbor if they get retaliatory :/

If you want to take matters into your own hands... Can you secretly give the dog a toy or something? Offer to buy the dog off the owner? If you burned the bridge with her then wait until her partner comes back and ask him if you can walk or play with the dog? It sucks that there's not much you can do, you're a good person for waiting to help.

 

[carmantose]

@devandt Personally I would tell them ‘start looking after your dog properly or I’m reporting you’. If you’re not that direct or not comfortable being that direct, try again with the conversation being friendly, or post some dog Walker leaflets through the door.

I don’t think it matters if they’re ‘too busy’ or have health problems going on etc, nothing is a good enough excuse when your dog is locked out in the garden all day and night. And a pathetic 10 second interaction is all the poor thing gets a day? This shit hurts my heart to read, that poor dog will lose its mind.
Too busy? Get a dog Walker. Health issues? Get a dog Walker. Have someone come over to give the poor dog some mental stimulation!! I’d be reporting them daily until someone comes out. Take pictures and video the dog when he’s whining.
The fact the dog NEVER gets walked is infuriating, so he’s just stuck out in that small garden 24/7??

 

[devandt]

@carmantose Yeah it’s about 5x6 meters and half of its concrete, he just whimpers and barks, poor thing. I can’t report him because they’re technically not breaking the law, I work for local govt so I know what they do and don’t intervene with. He’s fed watered and medically seems fine other than being overweight… that’s why I went with the friendly option, might have to wait till he gets back and chat… I can’t see an obvious reason why they can’t walk him, young couple, he’s a tradie she’s a cleaner I think… just lazy human syndrome

 

[carmantose]

@devandt God that’s shit. Why do people get dogs just to treat them like this?? Is there someone you work with that you’re friendly with that would be willing to make an exception and go talk to them? Does your local government include animal control(?)? Where I am we have RSPCA, so they would be the first point of contact for us, they get the police involved when they need to.

They sound like shitty people. Has any other neighbour spoke to you about it? Do you know if anyone else has the same concerns as you?

 

[fatalfantasy]

@devandt I would be reporting the owner to animal control. Any other home would be an improvement on this one. Heck, even a no kill shelter would be better than this "home".

 

[geoffrey300]

@fatalfantasy No kill shelters can still euthanize 10% of their intakes and still be considered no kill . They can also transfer animals to shelters who aren't no kill and still be able to keep their status .

Most shelter dogs live in cages and are still alone a whole lot . I personally wouldn't want to put this dog at risk of euthanasia.

 

[samarami]

@devandt Videotape the fog being out for hours in very cold temperatures and anything else that might build a case and you can turn over what you have to the police.

 

[taliajo]

@devandt You can call your local animal control. In my experience they’ve been easy to talk to. I had to call them and the non emergency police line a few months ago around 10pm and animal control was much more on top of it. I know in some cases they will go and talk to the people and check on the dog. I know how frustrating this can be to feel like you’re just a witness to this.

 

[andyb7777777]

@devandt I mean... that sounds like neglect.

Which unfortunately isn't necessarily enough, depending where you are, but it's definitely worth pursuing.

Given the fact that you offered to help and were turned down, I don't think exploring animal cruelty regulations in your area is a bad idea, or wrong, and if the owners are approached, it's their wrongdoing for not only their complete and gross neglect of their dog, but also refusing the help that they were offered by you, which may have avoided the situation escalating to the authorities.

 

[vobble]

@devandt Would you consider taking him? Can you ask them if you can have him?

 

[pablo628]

@devandt Awww what a sad story but let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe they are so busy and overworked and have no time. Maybe the owner is ill and unavailable. Lots of things happen in the background we don't know about.

I commend you on taking action. I think there is still hope left. Do you have a dog? Or kids? You can always go back and say things like "oh my dog is really bored and wants a friend, can I take them both to the dog park?" Or something like my kid loves dogs but my wife is allergic so we can't get one. Can we have a playdate with your pup? Or even borrow a friend's dog and tell them you're doggy sitting and the pup is bored, can you borrow their dog for a playdate? Try to make it sound like you need their dog for a favour, it's not because you think theyre mistreating them.

Please dont call bylaw or file complaints. Build bridges, don't smash them down. Remember you're there for the pup, even if you have to lie to get him some fun time it's worth it. Connect with the neighbors. Maybe bring over some cookies stop by for chats. Who knows maybe one day they'll let you come and go with the dog!

Good luck! Please keep us updated!

 

[devandt]

@pablo628 Really good advice I like this approach, we do have a toy poodle so I’m not sure how well socialised their guy is, I would be a little hesitant to put them in the same room together immediately but could definitely introduce them