Why do some people have them??

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Riz

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My neighbour has a very large and very loud German Shepherd. They keep her in the garden, and have done for the last 2 years or so - she has only had a kennel for about the last year :-( and when I say kennel, I say that in the loosest terms....We have had major problems with the noise at all hours - I posted on here awhile ago about the electronic bark detterents - but over the summer she seemed alot happier & less inclined to bark throughout the night. I had a chat with my neighbour who has previously been very unapproachable (she approached me for a favour, so I guess she can be nice when she wants something!!), and she was very apologetic - the dog is worse when they go out, so I guess they didn't know the full extent of the problem.

Anyway - since Friday (Bonfire night) the dog has been going absolutely bananas - she clearly doesn't like fireworks, and I can't say I blame her - we have alot around here - and now it turns out the neighbours have gone away, and are just having someone go in at 10.00 at night to feed her. I called the RSPCA in the past and they said because she has food, water & shelter there is nothing they can do - but surely this is now borderline cruelty?? Leaving a frightened animal outside and alone over the bonfire weekend?? Its such a shame because she looks a lovely dog, and is apparently very good with the ladies grandkids - but she clearly isn't loved and cared for as she should be. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do :-( and I would dearly love some sleep.....

Is there anyone other than the RSPCA that might give a damn about this??!!
 
The new animal act means that people can not simply go away and leave their animals like this.

Call them again and insist something is done.

Then call the council and do the same.

Makes my friggin blood boil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Try your council noise nuisence officer. Unfortunately the RSPCA can't/won't do anything as her 'welfare' is within the guidelines. :( So the only alternative is to make a noise complaint, that way they should involve the dog warden who in turn should involve the authorities if the dogs well being is compromised. I really don't understand why people like that have pets what is the pleasure for the owner cos there certainly isn't any for the poor dog.
 
Poor thing is probably bored stupid :(

As mentioned if she has food and water and shelter, IME there is not a lot the animal charities either can or will do.

Could you suggest they get a dog walker to break up her day a bit?
 
amymay said:
Under the animal welfare act - it is not.
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She has shelter, food and water. They have gone away but someone is coming by to check on her and feed her. Within the very flexible guidelines she is 'cared' for. The only thing they may be able to get her on is lack of exercise.
 
cobgirlie said:
She has shelter, food and water. They have gone away but someone is coming by to check on her and feed her. Within the very flexible guidelines she is 'cared' for. The only thing they may be able to get her on is lack of exercise.
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But effectively has been abandoned.

This is the one area that, thankfully, the RSPCA will act upon pretty quickly.
 
amymay said:
But effectively has been abandoned.

This is the one area that, thankfully, the RSPCA will act upon pretty quickly.
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Unfortunately because as the OP says someone is visiting once a day they won't class it as such. Depends on the inspector for his area, hopefully they have someone with a brain and compassion but it's all down to pot luck. :(
 
Amymay no one is suggesting that it isn't acceptable but I would be very surprised if the RSPCA took any action.

If the dog warden is a friendly sort (I know some who do outreach/educational work for local communities) then you might try him or her?

The GSD is an active, thinking breed which loves company and they rarely amuse themselves :(
 
This sounds like exactly the same situation I was in about 5 yrs back when living in old house. They too had a GS and it lived in their garden, well courtyard actually and never ever got out for a walk. It barked constantly and some nights for hours on end. They did absolutely nothing and were pretty vile people too. We reported them to the council, the council sent a couple of letters to them and nothing changed, we were then asked to keep a diary of when it barked but I then moved out when I started uni and my housemates didn't bother persuing it. If they had then I'm pretty certain the council had told us it would have gone to court if the owners didn't make changes.

I really feel for you, it's a horrible situation to be in. Also feel extremely sorry for the dog. Report to your council asap
 
Poor dog! The only way you might get the RSPCA to act is on the fireworks thing, perhaps you could stress that the dog is absolutely terrified, they might just get off their arses. Otherwise I agree it might be worth a word with your dog warden, some are quite proactive. Also the council about the noise issue, maybe if the owners are threatened with action they might try and give her a bit more attention to keep her quiet, or even rehome her which would probably be better for her, although sadly there are so many GSDs in rescue at the moment they might struggle to find someone to take her.
 
CaveCanem said:
Amymay no one is suggesting that it isn't acceptable but I would be very surprised if the RSPCA took any action.
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I speak from personal experience when I say they will - (and of course most certainly should).

Good luck OP with whatever you decide. Clearly someone, somewhere needs to take action today.
 
That should be isn't unacceptable, whoops.
Oh well, proof of the pudding and all that, I won't promise to eat my hat but like I say, I'll be surprised, not every team in every region is the same, clearly.
 
Thank you everyone for your responses. I have called the dog warden and they are hoping to get him to go and have a look today.

It has been one huge nightmare living next to this dog - the amount of sleepless nights I've had has been ridiculous, and obviously I do feel so sorry for the dog - although at 3 O'Clock in the morning when I have been up since 6.00, I just want to kill the bloody thing - and the owner!! I live on my own so I have been so worried about causing a war over it - you just don't know how things are going to turn out if you complain or raise concerns to people......

I agree with the person that said she would be best off rehomed - I have seen them walk her about 4 times since I have lived there - although I'm obviously not in all day everyday, so I can't say for certain that this is the case - but this weekend with all of the fireworks has been awful - she must be so scared, and they clearly don't care. Oh, and the garden is tiny, and she is fenced into a concrete strip, so she has nowhere to let off any energy - it's no life basically :-(

I spoke to the council about a year ago & they sent me a diary to fill in, but speaking to a friend that works for the council I found out that if I come to sell the house I have to declare anything like this. It's awful, because the people I brought off obviously didn't mention the dog, and I would feel dreadful doing the same thing to another buyer, but what choice would I have?! No-one would want to go through this!!

Thanks again for the advice - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that doggy is sorted soon.
 
Riz said:
It has been one huge nightmare living next to this dog - the amount of sleepless nights I've had has been ridiculous, and obviously I do feel so sorry for the dog - although at 3 O'Clock in the morning when I have been up since 6.00, I just want to kill the bloody thing - and the owner!! I live on my own so I have been so worried about causing a war over it - you just don't know how things are going to turn out if you complain or raise concerns to people......
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Oh god it's bringing back horrible memories now, I feel so sorry for you. There were times at my old place that had someone handed me a gun I honestly think I would have.
Does your neighbour work or are they around during the day? If so, turn your tv and radio up FULL blast and go to work, let them have a taste of their own medicine or alternatively put it on at night and stay elsewhere. Sorry, probably not helpful suggestions but I really empathise having gone through the same thing. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Also, although the council have stated you have to declare it if you come to sell the house I would definitely still persue it through them. If the neighbour was threatened with court action it might give them the push to make changes - either become a responsible dog owner or rehome it.
 
Thanks FBB-it is so depressing sometimes-i'm shattered today,grumpy and teary due to such little sleep!!

By the sound of things they are back & the dog is still outside although much quieter-for now!!

They went through a stage of late night parties so when i was getting up early the next morning they were treated to some very loud Foo Fighters for 10mins or so ;-) not very mature but felt good!!! Will see if anything comes from the dog warden & if not I think i'll have to go down the council route. Just a bit scared!!
Xx
 
I think you were pretty kind putting on Foo Fighters, next time try some death metal!

Do you know how your other neighbours feel about the situation? Surely they must be feeling the same as you? Could you maybe write a letter signed by all of you stating that if nothing is done to resolve the situation then you (as a group) will have no alternative but to persue the matter through the council where you will push for court action. That way, you don't get into a 'you v them' situation but rather everyone on the street combining forces. I'm sure your idiotic neighbours would feel pretty intimidated if it was the entire street complaining x
 
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