Is this dog being cruelly treated?

[simon.r]

I have an elderly neighbour who owns a young lurcher cross dog.

I have no doubt at all that the dog is loved, well fed and cared for, but it is never walked. My neighbour would, I think, say that she is unable to walk the dog due to her own ill health, but as far as I can tell she was in the same position when she bought the dog. I know various other neighbours have offered to walk the dog, but my neighbour has refused the offers.

She lives in a house with a garden (probably about 100 square metres) and the dog is allowed into the garden.

I often hear the dog barking and it does sound like a frustrated bark (although I'm not really a 'dog person' so this may be me being fanciful).

So, is this a form of cruelty and if so who should I tell? Or is it OK, given the dog's well cared for in every other respect and has the run of the garden?

For various reasons which aren't relevant to this post I am not prepared to tackle my neighbour directly about this.

 

[TissoT]

A call to the RSPCA Let them make the call on the dogs welfare when they visit.

 

[Mile195]

Personally, I am of the belief that walking a dog is as important as feeding it and caring for it. However, that said, I know people that have dogs with a very "limited" walking routine. I don't think it's for the best, but it's not really cruelty as such. Some dogs don't seem to mind. Others get bored and frustrated. Much the same with humans. Some people need to be peeled off the sofa and away from the television. Others can't bear to sit around for more than 5 minutes.

However, reporting or lecturing your neighbour won't help I wouldn't have thought. Education is a better thing. If the dog's a little overweight, ordinarily I'd say why not suggest gently some local places that are very dog friendly which "her animal might enjoy visiting" etc. Although from the sounds of it, that isn't going to work in your case.

I'm not sure there's much you can really do if you can't approach her. If it's definitely being neglected, then you should report her. if, on the whole, it's looked after ok... I guess it's out of your hands.

 

[vernon]

I have no doubt at all that the dog is loved, well fed and cared for

Then leave it be.

 

[screenman]

A call to the RSPCA Let them make the call on the dogs welfare when they visit.

Have you tried calling them, around here even the vets would not waste the money on a call to them. Total waste of charatible money from my experience.

 

[ScotiaLass]

IMO, the dog is probably quite happy.
My own dog NEVER gets walked due to hip/elbow problems, and a compression of the spine called Wobblers Syndrome.
He has the run of a large enclosed garden and is happy. He will chase after his toys for around 10 mins and then he's physically tired and sore.
Our vet recommended he has no more than the little exercise he currently gets. He is very worried about being outside if it's noisy, or people are walking by, as due to him not being socialised outdoors, he is terrified of traffic etc and his bark sounds aggressive but it's because he is scared

The dog is probably a great companion for your elderly neighbour - perhaps not the best choice of breed but who knows the circumstances of that.

 

[raleighnut]

My tuppence is that dogs can cope with not being walked they do however need companionship/mental stimulation. As long as the dog isn't stuck permanently in the garden I'd say it's fine.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Unless a dog is sick or lame all dogs should be walked imo.

How much depends on the breed. Some are happy with a trip or two around the block each day whereas others let you know it if they haven't clocked up at least a couple of hours a day.

They are territorial animals and like to top-up their patch with urine sprays, they 'read' what is happening in their neighbourhood by sniffing other dogs urine/faeces and they are very inquisitive in general. A good walk helps to keep them alert/happy/content.

End of the day, although domesticated, dogs are outdoor animals that like erm...the outdoors.

Sadly, many under-exercised dogs seem to tolerate their lot in life and just put up with their situation with their lazy owners trotting out some cobblers in justification for their pet not wanting to walk.

Maybe offer to take the dog for a trot for the lady?

 

[swee'pea99]

Doesn't sound like an ideal situation (especially given the breed) but a lot of dogs have to put up with a hell of a lot worse. It does at least have access to the outdoors. It certainly isn't cruelty - no-one's inflicting suffering deliberately. At worst, a degree of neglect, compensated for by at least being 'loved, well fed and cared for'. I wouldn't be in any hurry to report it. Even if the RSPCA did do anything - which is probably unlikely - what would they do? Quite likely take it away, then, when no-one wanted it, have it put down. I'd say it's better off where it is.

 

[JoshM]

Do you know why she refused the other offers of help?

I had a similar situation with a former neighbour. She'd refused offers of help from others. I thought I'd give it a go when I got my rescue staffie, and asked her if I could borrow her older and better behaved dog sometimes to help me train mine. Lo and behold, my request was granted. I suspect she felt judged by the other offers, which also challenged her sense of her own independence. My offer, presented the way it was, allowed her her to 'save face' as it were.

 

[simon.r]

Thanks all. The general consensus that the dog's OK but things could be better and that it's not worth reporting to anyone was my gut reaction, but I feel happier that a number of you agree.

 

[Profpointy]

regarding RSPCA - surely they don't actually have any "power" do they ?

 

[ColinJ]

I had a similar situation with a former neighbour. She'd refused offers of help from others. I thought I'd give it a go when I got my rescue staffie, and asked her if I could borrow her older and better behaved dog sometimes to help me train mine. Lo and behold, my request was granted. I suspect she felt judged by the other offers, which also challenged her sense of her own independence. My offer, presented the way it was, allowed her her to 'save face' as it were.

Years ago, my then partner's neighbour was a frail, elderly woman who had a dog which never got walked. We decided it would be nice to give the dog a decent walk every weekend so we told the woman that we would love to walk the dog since we liked dogs, but couldn't really commit to having dogs of our own. She said that she would be delighted to let us 'borrow' the dog every Sunday!

It was actually quite a pleasure to do it. The neighbour always did some baking while we were out and presented us with cake, scones etc. when we returned.

The dog could be a bit yappy at times, but never on a Sunday after his walk - he'd come back with us, wag his tail a couple of times at his mistress, and then flake out in his basket for the rest of the day!

 

[ScotiaLass]

Years ago, my then partner's neighbour was a frail, elderly woman who had a dog which never got walked. We decided it would be nice to give the dog a decent walk every weekend so we told the woman that we would love to walk the dog since we liked dogs, but couldn't really commit to having dogs of our own. She said that she would be delighted to let us 'borrow' the dog every Sunday!

It was actually quite a pleasure to do it. The neighbour always did some baking while we were out and presented us with cake, scones etc. when we returned.

The dog could be a bit yappy at times, but never on a Sunday after his walk - he'd come back with us, wag his tail a couple of times at his mistress, and then flake out in his basket for the rest of the day!

That's lovely.
I had a neighbour who had lung problems and his little dog never got walked. I was desperate for a dog of my own but it wasn't possible at that time.
So, I walked my next door neighbours dog, played with him in the garden and took him treats at Christmas
I was really sad when the dog died (he was older) but a couple of years later my parents were in the position to allow me a dog, and for my 16th birthday, a cheeky little liver and white Springer Spaniel trotted into my life

 

[Crackle]

The neighbour always did some barking while we were out

That's how I read it folks; odd but believable. I often howl.