Dog permanently chained??

D

Dry Rot

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 May 2010
Messages
5,847
Location
Scotland
Visit site
A woman living near me has a Husky on a chain. The dog is never taken for walks. She has had various dogs over the last 14 years she has lived at this address but I have never, ever, seen one of her dogs off the chain or outside the kennel, let alone taken for a walk.

She is now away for three months but has someone coming in once a day to feed the dog. She also has two mini-Shetland type ponies with a foal. The foal was born while she was away and with no more attention than the usual once a day look-see.

The animals are not thin and they appear to be in good health, but, as a neighbour, I hear the dog howling at night as it is obviously lonely left by itself 24/7.

The authorities (SSPCA, WHW, etc) are aware of the situation but can apparently do nothing.

Does anyone have any suggestions? It goes without saying that the owner is probably six pence short of a pound, but she is very articulate and I suspect the local animal welfare inspectors are scared of her! She is also on the radio fairly regularly so can talk the talk, but otherwise....well....what do you think? Dale Farm is neat and tidy compared to her four acres! Something needs to be done, but what?
 
A sh***y life for a dog, indeed. :(

Can you contact environmental health and make a complaint about the howling at night?

Why is she on the radio regularly?
 
Not a great life, but as the dog is in good health then unless the noise bothers you (in which case you can pursue via that route) then ...personally I would in this case complain about the noise and see if this results in the dog being found a more fulfilling home.

I dont have an issue about a dog being chained some of the time eg sled dogs or some sheepdogs who would just 'go' otherwise, but the flip side of their chaining is that they have exciting fulfilling working lives the rest of the time.

The fact that this dog is never getting off the chain or out and about is cruel IMO.
 
Hmmmm

If you go to Alaska this is normal. Sled dog kennels can easily have 100 dogs. The set up is normally each dog has it's on dog box (the dog can shelter inside this or lie on top of it) and it is chained to a stake next to the box. Of course these dogs get plenty exercise in harness. With so many dogs there really isn't another way to keep them. I'm not overly fond of this, but the dogs seem happy enough.

However, if this one is there 24/7 and not getting any exercise etc then that is wrong and no wonder she is howling. If she's fed and watered though I doubt there is much can be done. You can't just let Husky's off the lead....they will run off and will kill sheep / chickens / rabbits / cats etc. Perhaps she knows this and can't be arsed walking it.

How long has she had her?? Where abouts in Scotland??
 
very very sad. why do people have these animals!? Complain about the noise. Anything that might get the poor mutt a better life :-(
 
This is the latest of number of dogs she has owned over the dozen or so years she has lived at this address in the Highlands. She's had several huskies in her kennels before. But this one is alone -- and dogs are social animals. It must be a tough life seeing no one, let alone another dog, 24/7, except for a few minutes at feeding time.

The woman runs an organisation that campaigns, I think, for the abolition of speed cameras. I don't want to be too specific at this stage because of the law on defamation but she has appeared on the radio and I think on TV.

I'm told the ponies' poo is never picked and the "field" (scrap yard would be a better description!) is full of ragwort and docks. DEFRA is on the case about the ragwort but so far they have made no progress in two years except to talk to the woman on the phone.

I was passing one day and noticed one of the ponies standing rather oddly beside the "home made" roadside fence. It had a piece of fence wire around a fetlock. I managed to free it and it seemed to be OK, but if they are only looked at once a day it could have been very serious. The wires are slack so it is an accident waiting to happen.
 
Wouldn't be my cup of tea and not an ideal life for any dog, let alone a working breed not being worked, but I doubt the welfare associations will be able to do much.
 
CaveCanem said:
Wouldn't be my cup of tea and not an ideal life for any dog, let alone a working breed not being worked, but I doubt the welfare associations will be able to do much.
Click to expand...

That is really the point of the thread. Something needs to be done, but what?

"Evil flourishes where good men do nothing".

I am beginning to think publicity might be the way to go. Possibly apply for an ASBO. But I do NOT accept that one simply stands back and does nothing with the excuse that no solution is possible. There are some wise people on here, I am sure someone will come up with an idea.
 
Poor dog, must be so frustrated and lonely.

Surely chaining it 24/7 on its own, deprives it of at least 2 of the Five Freedoms that animals are entitled to? Specifically numbers 4 and 5, I would say, and possibly number 2 as well.

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.

2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

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

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
 
It would seem to, however we all know how hard it is to get prosecutions on blatant cruelty (which I don't think this is TBH) let alone bad management and care.

Dry Rot, could you offer to walk the dog?
 
The laws in Scotland may be different from the rest of the UK. But certainly in England and Wales the laws are quite clear that a dog can not be left like this (i;e someone coming in to feed it, and it being left alone for the rest of the time).

I would suggest the SSPCA get a little bit more proactive and seize the dog. The continued howling would be enough for action to be taken.
 
I'd contact environmental health and a husky breed rescue as they may well be able to campaign on behalf of the dog and/or know the right people to talk to even if they have no legal powers. Can you contact the BHS about the ponies?
 
I don't suppose you know which vet the SSPCA uses locally to you for testimony on cruelty cases do you? We have had good success contacting them directly in the past, once the SSPCAs "tame vet" is on your side and says there could be a case the organisation itself will probably be more interested. Ours is quite hot on dogs that are understimulated and neglected in this way. Alternatively is there a dog warden in the area you could contact?
 
Tried the dog warden who referred me to SSPCA. Tried DEFRA who did the same. Phoned SSPCA head office again and did my journalist act, "So it would be OK to quote you as saying putting a dog on a chain and going away for three months is OK then?" That seems to have put the cat amongst the pigeons and I'm promised action will be taken within the next 14 days which I assume means the dog will be removed to somewhere it can be looked after properly.

Thanks everyone. It does help to know that I am not the only one who thinks this sort of behaviour is disgusting. This woman really should be banned from keeping animals.
 
Dry Rot said:
Tried the dog warden who referred me to SSPCA. Tried DEFRA who did the same. Phoned SSPCA head office again and did my journalist act, "So it would be OK to quote you as saying putting a dog on a chain and going away for three months is OK then?" That seems to have put the cat amongst the pigeons and I'm promised action will be taken within the next 14 days which I assume means the dog will be removed to somewhere it can be looked after properly.

Thanks everyone. It does help to know that I am not the only one who thinks this sort of behaviour is disgusting. This woman really should be banned from keeping animals.
Click to expand...

Excellent work, DR! Please keep us posted, won't you?

(BTW I am a journalist too and find it is a very useful tool at times! ;):D )
 
OP - could you PM me where this is? I know a lot of people up here with Huskies....might be able to figure out who the breeder was. Mind you there's that many terribly bred ones in Scot-Ads etc, a few regularly in the year, (in fact more badly bred than well thought out bred ones about full stop) that it might not help, but you never know. Any well bred one will have something in the contract that would mean intervention........I certainly would. Failing that, I might be able to put you in touch with someone locally?

It sounds like she has the dog as a fashion statement. Unfortunately, thanks to snow dogs etc it's all too common :-(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top