What do you think? Should i report it??

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Theres a house i walk past almost everyday on my way to the bus stop and there is a dog in the backyard and over the last 6 months i have noticed it is getting skinnier and skinnier. It started with i could see 2 ribs now i can see basically see them all.

Should i give RSPCA a call? I feel weird about going to the owners as im not good with confrontation..

[tellytubby]

Go for it . They can check it out, if there is nothing wrong, then obviously all will end fine. If there IS something wrong, then they can help the dog out.
Guess what I'm trying to say is, no harm done if you are wrong.

[Mel_B1981]

I would say: Report it.

Ribs should only "just" be felt when you touch a dog.....if you can SEE them, the dog is underweight and may need help.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I just dont know if im over reacting like it has been very cold and i know that a dogs can lose weight due to the cold and being an outside dog... but yes seeing ribs like that isn't good. I'd just hate to keep walking past and one day see it dead in the yard..

[Mel_B1981]

The RSPCA are very reasonable - they will only take the dog if the owner if unwilling to make the changes they recommend to create a safe/healthy environment for the dog...

Better to be safe than sorry in my mind

[PumpkinZulu]

Yeah what TT and Risani said. If nothing is amiss then that's great, and if it is then all you've done is help the animal out. This happened to a friend of mine...their dog actually had cancer and was pretty sick, but to outsiders hr looked SO neglected. My friends didn't mind that the RSPCA was called, they just called in and asked some questions, abd everything was fine

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Its happened to my mums pets and i always thought the person who did it was a coward so i feel like i would be seen as one too but i wouldnt be able to live with myself if i noticed and did nothing.

Thanks guys. I'll make a call tomorrow. Hopefully in a few weeks i see some improvement or even find out whats going on. Its just worrying when for 3 weeks the same clothes were still on the line.... so how often do they feed the dog..

[Now we're 3]

I would definitely report it as it can't do any harm but can do good for this poor dog. Bit wierd the clothes being on the line for that long. Makes you wonder if the owners are actually there or perhaps they are elderly and have been unwell and aren't actually able to take care of themselves not to mind the dog. Let us know how you get on.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Its a young couple with a toddler so i don't believe there would be any reason why the dog isnt fed. Makes you wonder if they cant take the clothes off the line for 3 weeks did the dog get fed at all?

I will make a call and just see what they say. I just dont get why people get pets if they cant look after them properly.

[~clover~]

The clothes on the line are a bit odd... specially with a toddler? Even if they are away, you usually bring your clothes in first.

Have you seen the family in the last 3 weeks?

[emc2]

I remember seeing on TV, that often ppl who really neglect their pets, their children might be at risk as well.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I saw the mother and child i think it was 2 weeks ago, haven't seen the father in a while. I walk past around 3:30-4 most days and i come home 8:30-9:30 there is always lights on when i walk past so i dont think they went away.

I feel like a stalker but i really am only observing because the dog barks when i walk past, not in an agressive way probably begging for food the poor thing

[loulabelle]

Report it, it may be nothing and its unwell but seeing a vet or something like that. But, incase its being neglected, I would.

You should never confront them yourself, you dont know them and you never know how people will react. Its much safer for authorities to handle it.

Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk

[Cranky Kitten]

Yep, I'd report it. Most genuine owners that are looking after their animals will be fine, if a little bemused at the experience - we had someone call the RSPCA with regards to our working border collie once because she'd gotten a bit thin while feeding her puppies, they checked her over, asked a few questions and then we had a good laugh about it as she was obviously in very good condition as a working dog.

It's the off chance there IS a problem that I'd be worried about, which will be picked up.

[Jakabella]

Yep call. Iv called a few times and I know that I have saved animals lives.

[~Hestia~]

Another who has called the RSPCA, I've had to call a couple of times for the same animal

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Another who has called the RSPCA, I've had to call a couple of times for the same animal

Thats sad.

I tried to call today but the phone was engaged so ill try tomorrow or monday.

[Cassius2]

give them a call. keep calling until you get onto them. and then do a follow up call once they have been.