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Should i report to RSPCA ?

(44 Posts)
welbeck Sun 04-Aug-24 21:56:57

i know nothing about dogs, except what i've seen on tv.
but i recognise the face of a boxer, and its usual physique.
i have seen one being walked a couple of times, and it looks severely emaciated.
all the ribs are clearly visible, also spine, hips, etc.
it moves v slowly.
now, perhaps this woman is some kind of palliative carer for a sick dog ?
but that seems unlikely.
i have observed where she lives.
what would you do, if anything.

welbeck Thu 22-Aug-24 19:54:06

thank you.

QuaintIrene Thu 22-Aug-24 17:58:11

You did the right thing. I would have done the same.

Chocgran Thu 22-Aug-24 17:27:57

Before I retired I sometimes came across RSPCA inspectors involved in neglect cases concerning animals owned by
the families I worked with. They were very good and always tried to do their best for the animals concerned.

welbeck Thu 08-Aug-24 16:55:38

i see it as being similar to some reason to suspect abuse of a child; it is not right to seek to question the child or investigate oneself.
the correct procedure is to report one's concerns to the professionals.
i don't like strangers asking me questions, or even acquaintances sometimes, i find it intrusive.
i wouldn't think of questioning the woman with the dog.
anyway, i've done what i can.
i did ask for opinions, so thank you all.

Mallin Wed 07-Aug-24 12:15:24

Always report. Owners honestly don’t mind RSPCA inspectors turning up if they have been reported for something that’s under control with vets help.

David49 Wed 07-Aug-24 07:44:58

Don’t involve the RSPCA, if it was me I would start chatting to the owner and ask what the dogs illness was, clearly a dog that’s having difficulty walking should not be out on the street. It may be old or incurable

Maybe the owner lacks the ability and needs help to take whatever treatment/action needed.

jocork Wed 07-Aug-24 04:15:54

pce612

I got reported to the RCPCA some years ago.
My cat (dark tortoiseshell with very close markings) was back from being spayed and because of the way she was coloured, where she was shaved looked scabby (unless you were close enough to see the hair).
Someone was kind enough to be concerned about her and reported it.
I had no problem with it.
Better safe than sorry.

Many years ago I was reported to the RSPCA as our cat had lost much of her fur all down one side. It did look awful but she was being treated by the vet and eventually grew it all back. I was upset at the time, to think that someone thought we were being cruel, but realise they did it with good intentions. The RSPCA inspector was perfectly fine when we refered him to our vet to verify the situation and there was no harm done.

Granmarderby10 Tue 06-Aug-24 21:56:31

Whitewavemark2

Richard Osman has just acquired a tabby kitten from the Brighton RSPCA.

dear little thing

Yes Ww2 I saw the photo you posted on another thread.
A very pretty kitty -but aren’t they all
Inveigling their way into our homes with their kitten ways.
Sadly I am extremely allergic to cats I discovered too late so no more felines.

LJP1 Tue 06-Aug-24 21:55:16

Boxers are prone to suffer from cancer. This sounds like late stage so it won't be troubling you for much longer.

welbeck Tue 06-Aug-24 21:43:43

i would not risk speaking to the woman, she did not look approachable at all.
i don't want to draw attn to myself and have to deal with any repercussions when passing by there in the future.
i won't know the outcome; i've left it with the RSPCA.

valdavi Tue 06-Aug-24 21:26:03

I know I would feel awful & probably angry if I was reported to the RSPCA when my dog or cat was ill - but- reading posts on here from those of you who have been, who say they're glad that people are concerned & the glad RSPCA are there to check & were sensitive, well, can't argue, I have seen sense. You live & learn...

Patsy70 Tue 06-Aug-24 20:52:34

Please don’t jump to conclusions that the dog is not being cared for. He might well have a terminal condition that is being treated and his owner is giving him the best quality of life until a decision has to be made. I’d suggest you make a friendly approach to the owner.

jerseygirl Tue 06-Aug-24 20:33:49

It could be a rescue dog. We had a dog like that years ago and she was a pathetic sight when we first got her, all skin and bone and ribs. I would strike up a conversation with her, you may find out more. I wouldn't bother with the RSPCA. I agree with others who have had dealings with them in the past. I dont rate them at all.

bikergran Tue 06-Aug-24 18:45:45

I have also had no joy with RSPCA

Whitewavemark2 Tue 06-Aug-24 17:43:17

Richard Osman has just acquired a tabby kitten from the Brighton RSPCA.

dear little thing

Minho Tue 06-Aug-24 17:40:05

Please would you let us all know the outcome?
In the meantime you could still have a chat with the owner, just say is your dog very old, I noticed how slow he walks. No harm in trying a conversation , may put everyone’s mind at rest.

PinkCosmos Tue 06-Aug-24 13:56:59

My son was reported to the RSPCA.

He had a very old dog which had cancer and was very thin towards the end of her life.

My son had been walking the dog every day for years. He is quite a big bloke so I could understand why someone would be intimidated by him and not want to approach him directly, even though he wouldn't harm a fly.

He was shocked that he had been reported but on the other hand was glad that to know the RSPCA do respond to reports.

The RSPCA were very good and and it was obviously to them that the dog was old and ill. My son had to take her out to go to the toilet. She had to be put to sleep a few weeks later.

Ironically, he had taken the dog on as a rescue dog.

Visgir1 Tue 06-Aug-24 13:22:24

My sister got reported to the RSPCA over her cat. She was a pedigree Fluffy White cat, who was about 16 years old.
She was old, almost Blind and thin, and now not very good at keeping her coat looking lovely, she also found it uncomfortable being brushed.
But she had a little routine of going out, walking around the corner of my sisters house for a sniff, then back again, to sit out side in the front garden ready to be let in.
The RSPCA person called to ask about "Crystal" my sister was shocked, but not upset.
She just called her, she was asleep upstairs, down she came she would use the wall as her guide to safety come down the stairs announcing her arrival all the way.
She wrapped herself around my sisters legs then went and got something to eat.
The RSPCA person apologised having to call, he could see she was an old lady who was cared for but he had a job to do.
She was a loved still happy cat, just old.
My sister said she would know when it would be time to let her go, that's exactly what happened.

pce612 Tue 06-Aug-24 13:16:19

I got reported to the RCPCA some years ago.
My cat (dark tortoiseshell with very close markings) was back from being spayed and because of the way she was coloured, where she was shaved looked scabby (unless you were close enough to see the hair).
Someone was kind enough to be concerned about her and reported it.
I had no problem with it.
Better safe than sorry.

Newdawn Tue 06-Aug-24 12:55:52

My darling red setter got very thin and would shake and shiver. She was old and ill and vomited most days. I would have been very upset if RSPCA called on me. You could have asked the owner.

jusnoneed Tue 06-Aug-24 10:43:24

I hope it is just illness and not poor treatment of the dog.

There is a post on a local FB group about a cat who is looking poorly and has a runny nose. People keep posting, report it or take it to the vets etc. The owners have repeated more than once that he is a much loved cat who had cat flu when he was a kitten, which has left him with nasal problems. At certain times he has a very runny nose (which she said anyone is welcome to wipe if they are concerned) but is perfectly healthy. He was/is looked after by a local vet. People who know the owners and the cat all say he is well cared for and a very friendly, happy animal.
So sometimes there are genuine reasons an animal may look poorly.

welbeck Tue 06-Aug-24 01:20:17

i have reported.
thanks.

Cossy Mon 05-Aug-24 17:30:45

Casdon

The RSPCA has had huge debt problems, I can remember them having to make vets redundant a couple of years ago, so I suspect it is a much smaller operation now than we realise. It’s a charity, and they have all suffered in the last few years, I don’t think it receives any government support. They probably don’t have the inspectors needed to investigate every call.

It’s very sad

Casdon Mon 05-Aug-24 17:16:31

The RSPCA has had huge debt problems, I can remember them having to make vets redundant a couple of years ago, so I suspect it is a much smaller operation now than we realise. It’s a charity, and they have all suffered in the last few years, I don’t think it receives any government support. They probably don’t have the inspectors needed to investigate every call.

Cossy Mon 05-Aug-24 17:01:43

Sadly, I don’t know why, but the RSPCA must be very very overstretched as I’ve reported dogs before and no action taken