I Wonder if anyone can help a friend of mine has reported a rotti that is outside in all weathers with no shelter, he is very thin and also now has an injured paw,the rspca are not bothered and she is at her wits end as what to do next, oh and my friend as also asked the owner if she can take the dog but all to no avail.My friend is absoloutely convinced she is going to go one day and the dog will be dead.So I wondered if strix or adz could give us any idea what to do as they both seem to know about these things thanks in advance ....karen

The RSPCA should be taking it very seriously if the dog has no shelter.

Are you sure they've not been round and told the owners to sort the situation? If they have done, it'd be worth contacting them again to tell them the situation is no better and the dog is suffering.

If the injury to his paw is since you contacted the RSPCA and it has been left untreated then that's more grounds for something to be done.

I would try them again and explain the problem is only getting worse.

If the situation is as bad as you've described then why aren't the RSPCA bothered?
If an inspector has been out to see the conditions the dog is living in then you are perfectly entitled to ask for a phone call back so they can explain what if anything is going to be done.
I'd pester them to do their job and try and get the name of which ever inspector is getting involved.

^^^ What Lotti said- the RSPCA aren't going to act on what they don't know about and if things are changing then they really need to know about it.

I'd be very surprised if the RSPCA aren't taking it seriously, if the dog is being neglected. Worht nagging again, I reckon

If the situation is as bad as you've described then why aren't the RSPCA bothered?
If an inspector has been out to see the conditions the dog is living in then you are perfectly entitled to ask for a phone call back so they can explain what if anything is going to be done.
I'd pester them to do their job and try and get the name of which ever inspector is getting involved.my freind works in housing but this is not her case she has been back to see the owner who said the rspca have been after he hurt his paw and said see how it is tommorrow, she has been given vouchers to get her female rottie which is in the house to be spayed ,but she thinks it is pregnant , she has told them she takes rottie in at night but my freind is starting to get complaints from neighbours about it barking, at night.By the way he is chained up and has an indoor cage outside with nothing in it and no cover over it, as I said this is not my freinds case so she has to be careful

thease people dont live in hillsbrouogh do they?

its just im having the same problem with some neighbours but there are 2 rotties i have contacted the rspca who have confirmed that i am right to be concerned and they were 'keeping an eye on them' this is more than 6 months on and there are still no changes. i have phoned and phoned but still nothing.

thease people dont live in hillsbrouogh do they?

its just im having the same problem with some neighbours but there are 2 rotties i have contacted the rspca who have confirmed that i am right to be concerned and they were 'keeping an eye on them' this is more than 6 months on and there are still no changes. i have phoned and phoned but still nothing.no vicki its not hillsborough but honestly over the years Ive had a couple of times when Ive had to get in touch with RSPCAand they have been rubish each time, my freind feels as if she is banging her against a brick wall and all the time the dog is suffering,like i said
my friend as even offered to look after dog herself but to no avail.

Its hard to believe the RSPCA at times, I had a visit from them about my supposedly neglected cat (a neighbour with a cat hate) the inspector called to see the poor creature and was quite sharp, that is until Tinker waddled in, strode up to the chair and settled down for an afternoon kip. Oh said he, is he injected, yes, I produced documents, has he food available, I took him to the kitchen to Tinkers very own snack bar. Oh said he, there is no problem here.
The work I have done with GSD rescue sometimes makes me think they only check out the non serious cases, an example was a bitch kennelled in the loosest meaning of the word in a sink unit carcass kept on a verandah with wire netting on the front, she was in a terrible state, laying in her own faeces etc. The RSPCA said they couldnt act as she had water and what was essentially a roof over her head. We eventually talked the owner into letting us take her to a better home. There a case on the rescue site now that the Scottish society wouldnt act on, he was a guard dog and it took 5 years to get him out. They said he would have to be put to sleep because he was a guard dog, he is now as soft as butter and has a lovely home. He had no shelter, the owner chucked in a takeaway every few days, he had no companionship, no walks, nothing. They said they were monitoring the situation and it was only pressure from the Rescue people up there that made them eventually take action. So after that rant, advice is get in touch with Rottie rescue, torment the RSPCA and dont give up the fight.

This is an e mail for rottie rescue, shelleyworth@btinternet.com
They will hopefully put you onto the Yorkshire branch

estweyn - is that GSD out of there now then?

If so - I'm SO glad! I saw it when they were trying to get him out and he was in such a bad state poor thing!

I have to agree with the comments about the RSPCA. Sadly for the animals, the reality is nothing at all like what you see on those programmes on the TV.

In the past, I and other people have tried to report dogs kept in the most abysmal conditions (both pets and security dogs) and they don't seem to be the slightest bit interested. They trot out the "water and 'shelter' available" mantra everytime. Their definition of shelter and everyone else's seems to be totally different. :(

I think they're maybe a bit scared of the real hard cases in case they get attacked or something, which you can't really blame them. But in that case they should take some back-up with them.

As an aside, they get millions in bequests and donations and yet the local RSPCA services don't seem to see a penny of it.

I havent had any possitive dealings with the RSPCA either, but I think their hands are sumwhat tied, if they remove the dog they have to shelter it for a set period of time, then if not rehomed (which is doubtful) ... destroyed! .... If they havent got the room in the first place, where do they put the dog?

I do have an issue with the huge amount of time and resources wasted because of false/ malicious reports, (see estewyn's comments above)

I, myself have had two visits in recent years, from an RSPCA inspector about my dog, who was reported by a neighbour. He was supposedly "neglected and starved" :- however, as some other members on here will confirm, having met him, he's a plump, spoiled "crisp-monster" of a beg-dog... )

I imagine if the inspectors weren't chasing after false accusations, the charity's money and resources could be better utilised dealing with the genuine cases.

(to qualify, I want to say, I'd far rather they come and see that he is fit and well, and make the wild goos chase, than not visint and then to find the animal had really been neglected)

I havent had any possitive dealings with the RSPCA either, but I think their hands are sumwhat tied, if they remove the dog they have to shelter it for a set period of time, then if not rehomed (which is doubtful) ... destroyed! .... If they havent got the room in the first place, where do they put the dog?hi pinklady in this case my friend has already said she would take the dog given the chance

I would make a nuisance of myself with the RSPCA and keep calling everyday even more than once a day if need be. Keep insisting that the dog is in dire need and being neglected.

As far as where do dogs go Cruelty cases do go to the pound and quite often end up in rescue if they are not suitable for rehoming after their initial stay. The pound do there best to treat them and see that they have a future.

Don't the RSPCA have to hold the animals though that are taken for cruelty until after the case goes to court? I was sure that they did :confused:
I agree with everyone else make a nuisance of yourself about the dog, keep on at them, and every single change report it straight away.

tell the R.S.P.C.A that you will be notifing the national press if they dont check this dog out .they dont like bad publicity

Don't the RSPCA have to hold the animals though that are taken for cruelty until after the case goes to court? I was sure that they did :confused:
I agree with everyone else make a nuisance of yourself about the dog, keep on at them, and every single change report it straight away.

I thought that due to their being no RSPCA in Sheffield at present that they go to the pound. They obviously aren't rehomed if actions is taken. I am sure some cruelty ones have been there when i have been down. Could be very wrong though. Aren't the RSPCA officers still based down there?

Rain you will be able to answer this one correctly help:)!!

I thought that due to their being no RSPCA in Sheffield at present that they go to the pound. They obviously aren't rehomed if actions is taken. I am sure some cruelty ones have been there when i have been down. Could be very wrong though. Aren't the RSPCA officers still based down there?

Rain you will be able to answer this one correctly help:)!!

They might be held at the pound then.
It would be truly terrible if cruelty cases ended up pts after all they have been through :(

Sorry i meant not rehomed while an ongoing case is happening. I don't know what happens to them i assume they do go for rehoming if suitable.

To be honest i am not sure now and doubting what i have written although i am sure i was told this but i can dream things sometimes lol. I am sure someone will know the answer if not i shall find out at the weekend.

I can tell you my understanding of it - for what its worth.
Firstly - with regards to the rotties above - I would be phoning the RSPCA national help desk every day and ask them for the name of the person that this case has been allocated to. Usually they will come back and let you know the outcome and whats going to happen. If its not happening, (as it doesn't seem to be), you have to keep phoning and getting up to date.

I would also phone the Council environmental services. The Dog Wardens again will go out and see the condition the dog is in and how its kept - and again - keep in touch - ask for the name of the officer going round and phone back to see whats happened.

As with many cases of neglect - of both adults, children and animals - unless we remember and keep on top of it, the neglect will go on un-noticed and who then is there to help the vulnerable.

As to the RSPCA - there are 2 very distinct tasks of them.
The local RSPCA branch - which receives NO funding from National RSPCA - has not got a centre in sheffield any more, but is raising funds for their new centre which is hopefully due to open at the end of 2008 I think. These people run the resce centre - and do not work with cruelty investigation cases out in the community. They will be helping pets at the centre.
The National RSPCA - runs about 20 owned RSPCA branches (of which I don't believe there are any up north - someone please let me know if i am wrong). The centres work like a normal rescue centre. However, the National RSPCA are the ones who run the Help Desks and the Officers who go out on the streets of the community - do the investigations - pursue neglect and abuse cases. So, its these guys who would be investigating these 2 rotties.

As for where neglect cases go to. I believe they are held in kennels paid for by either the local Councils or / and the RSPCA - maybe depending on who has seized the dog. The dogs are safe whilst in their care. However, this is not always the same for all councils and some are terrilble and their are major investigations going underway about the treatment of dogs being held - This is not the case with Sheffield Council though.

I believe that once the case has been cleared - if the dogs are then taken off the owners - the dogs are put up for rehoming - just like local strays and so its down to wether or not homes can be found for them - just the same as any.

Hope thats answered your question

I think thats right RR, the dogs are unable to be rehomed until the case has been dealth with many prosecutions drag on for months and months.

I have always had quite good responses, I have reported cases in the past and they have kept me informed I think because I was quite forceful when I rang initially, as I was quite upset at the time (I dont think they would have dared not to phone me back tbh):hihi:

You do need to keep on pestering and if nothing is done then as someone has mentioned previously the press usually spurs them into action (they cannot afford any bad publicity as donations slow off).

Lottie, sorry I didnt repy earlier, been to sunny skegness in the snow over easter, yes the scottish dog is out and re homed. Happily.

Remember what the Scottish SPCA said:

'Kyle is no longer a guard dog, although he was for the first five years of his life. He has lived at this property for the last five years. Both the Scottish SPCA Inspector and veterinary surgeon concluded that, given his age and the fact that Kyle is familiar with this set up, his welfare would be best served by staying where he is. Indeed the veterinary surgeon expressed that they would have grave concerns over his welfare should he be relocated to a home environment. The Scottish SPCA Inspector stated, “There is every chance this dog would bite or attack someone if it was rehomed. It simply could not adapt to a new, indoor situation.”'

CD now:



What a difference a few weeks makes. CD has never bitten or attempted to bite anyone and is living happily in a home. Bright eyed, bushy tailed and happy at last.

Remember what the vet said in her statement when she claimed CD was a guard dog:

'In my opinion, this dog is being kept in conditions appropriate for a working guard dog and is being appropriately cared for'. We wonder what vet school she trained at!!