Do you say anything?

[parakitaMol.]

If you see something that is causing needless discomfort or suffering to an animal?

.............. or do you walk past?


It's not easy to decide.... today (minus 3 all day) we walked past a small poodle, left to sit on a mound of ice whilst tied to a lampost outside some shops, she was visibly shivering and shaking and whimpering. About 30 mins later we walked past again and this poor little mite was still there.... 2 other people had stopped and we were all saying how awful it was, one lady wanted to take the dog and make her comfortable and I was just going to buy a newspaper for her to sit on when this young girl of about 14 appears - we calmly explained that it was a wasn't very kind and the dog was clearly very cold and unhappy... when this screaming hag of a mother came along and started shrieking at us all, it was quite awful.

Do you risk the defensive wrath in the hope that they think again in future or do you walk by being careful to mind your own business even though an animal is quite unhappy?

[FraserLFA]

Without a doubt. I don't get confrontational, but some things will always result in me shouting louder than the other person.

[Mrs Grumpy]

I do - but then that's what... I do

I tell people about dogs getting stolen/provoked when left outside shops as well. I'm thinking of getting a sticker made up and slapping it on the dog's head.

[littleandy0410]

I think I'd have phoned the RSPCA in that situation. That is horrible, such cruel behaviour.

[ali_kat]

I'd have said something, probably even untied it and stood with it in my coat.

But then I have been known to break windows in cars before now because a dog was left in there without a window open in summer - I then went to the Police Station to report my action & got praised - the owners had a Constable waiting at the car when they got back...

[bexVN]

Yes I would have, without a doubt. I have yelled at a group of lads for teasing a cat, only afterwards did I realise I could've put myself in danger, but I couldn't help it.

Anyway by the law if the girl is only 14, it's her parents repsonsibilty, they'd be the ones who'd get in trouble if the rspca got involved, even if it was the girl who left the dog there.

Hope the dog was ok, the improtant thing is I doubt this girl will ever do that again!

[Jasandjules]

I've done it a few times.

I've even gone a bit too far once and chased the little f****er down the road, I am glad I didn't catch him as I have no idea what I've have done to him....

ETA - Oh and OP, if they get a**y about things, just call the RSPCA and let them deal with it.

Edited by Jasandjules on Sunday 19th December 09:58

[y282]

one of the very few things i have zero tolerance for. definitely speak up. they'll have had a good shout at you about it but i would hope the embarrassment of it will be remembered next time they leave it outside like that.

[parakitaMol.]

I'm really glad I'm not the only one!

Yes it can be somewhat embarrassing, we were all quite calm and explaining in a quite non-confrontational way to the teen when this hag kicked off like a screaming banshee.... which was quite uncomfortable. I do think that is quite a standard response even if the person knows you're right - they're not going to acknowledge that.

Ali I was thinking the same as you, it was outside a Smiths and I was going to get a couple of large newspapers for the poor little thing.

[JohnnyJones]

parakitaMol. said:

If you see something that is causing needless discomfort or suffering to an animal?

.............. or do you walk past?


It's not easy to decide.... today (minus 3 all day) we walked past a small poodle, left to sit on a mound of ice whilst tied to a lampost outside some shops, she was visibly shivering and shaking and whimpering. About 30 mins later we walked past again and this poor little mite was still there.... 2 other people had stopped and we were all saying how awful it was, one lady wanted to take the dog and make her comfortable and I was just going to buy a newspaper for her to sit on when this young girl of about 14 appears - we calmly explained that it was a wasn't very kind and the dog was clearly very cold and unhappy... when this screaming hag of a mother came along and started shrieking at us all, it was quite awful.

Do you risk the defensive wrath in the hope that they think again in future or do you walk by being careful to mind your own business even though an animal is quite unhappy?

I think it's quite right to intervene if you see someone causing any animal distress.

I'm struggling a bit with this scenario though.

I can't see that it's cruel leaving a dog outside for half an hour.

And some dogs, especially highly strung ones like a poodle, will shake and whine in any weather. One of my dogs stayed outside this morning when the others came in. When I looked to see where he was 20 mins later he was sitting down in the snow looking across the field at the horses.

I would happily come to blows with a stranger causing an animal unnecessary suffering, but you can take things too far.

I walked my 3 terriers for an hour and a half the other afternoon. One of them came up holding his foot up, he had ice between his pads and it was hurting. I cleared it and he ran off playing. Is that unnecessary suffering too?

[BlackVanGirl]

Always. Called RSPCA on neighbours who left a gorgeous Alsatian pup locked out in a massive storm, he had a kennel but was absolutely petrified, listened to him crying/near screaming for hours that night. I'd have broken in to their garden and taken him if I could. Still regret not doing more.

[bexVN]

JohnnyJones said:

parakitaMol. said:

If you see something that is causing needless discomfort or suffering to an animal?

.............. or do you walk past?


It's not easy to decide.... today (minus 3 all day) we walked past a small poodle, left to sit on a mound of ice whilst tied to a lampost outside some shops, she was visibly shivering and shaking and whimpering. About 30 mins later we walked past again and this poor little mite was still there.... 2 other people had stopped and we were all saying how awful it was, one lady wanted to take the dog and make her comfortable and I was just going to buy a newspaper for her to sit on when this young girl of about 14 appears - we calmly explained that it was a wasn't very kind and the dog was clearly very cold and unhappy... when this screaming hag of a mother came along and started shrieking at us all, it was quite awful.

Do you risk the defensive wrath in the hope that they think again in future or do you walk by being careful to mind your own business even though an animal is quite unhappy?

I think it's quite right to intervene if you see someone causing any animal distress.

I'm struggling a bit with this scenario though.

I can't see that it's cruel leaving a dog outside for half an hour.

And some dogs, especially highly strung ones like a poodle, will shake and whine in any weather. One of my dogs stayed outside this morning when the others came in. When I looked to see where he was 20 mins later he was sitting down in the snow looking across the field at the horses.

I would happily come to blows with a stranger causing an animal unnecessary suffering, but you can take things too far.

I walked my 3 terriers for an hour and a half the other afternoon. One of them came up holding his foot up, he had ice between his pads and it was hurting. I cleared it and he ran off playing. Is that unnecessary suffering too?

Slightly sarcastic comparision really. The poodle had no way to run around to keep itself warm, sat or stood on snow for that length of time when it probably normally lives in a warm home etc is thoughtless, not cruel in the true sense but not right either. I wouldn't force my dog to do this, if he chose to then fine. Your dog wan't being forced to sit on snow.

Anyway leaving a dog tied up outside a shop is a risky business, it's the most likely way for your dog to be stolen.

[mrmaggit]

Yup, I grabbed one youth round the neck and threaten to chuck him under the next passing car once.

He chucked a chip in the road, the pigeon went after it, narrowly missing the oncoming car.

I think he was a bit surprised, especially as he knew I meant it.

[parakitaMol.]

Johnny Jones.

It was about 8" of compacted ice, there not even a chink of the cold pavement underneath - the air temperature yesterday was minus the entire day . The dog was shaking uncontrollably and whining in distress. It wasn't a warm sunny afternoon when the scenario would be entirely different.

[JohnnyJones]

Hm, I see what you mean, wasn't meant to be sarcastic.

I agree about not leaving a dog tied up outside a shop though, I have never done that.

[bexVN]

JohnnyJones said:

Hm, I see what you mean, wasn't meant to be sarcastic.

I agree about not leaving a dog tied up outside a shop though, I have never done that.

I should have highlighted that I was only referring to the ice in the foot comment, not your whole post, sorry.

[JohnnyJones]

parakitaMol. said:

Johnny Jones.

It was about 8" of compacted ice, there not even a chink of the cold pavement underneath - the air temperature yesterday was minus the entire day . The dog was shaking uncontrollably and whining in distress. It wasn't a warm sunny afternoon when the scenario would be entirely different.

If you felt the animal was suffering then intervening was the right thing to do, all I wanted to do was point out that leaving a dog outside is not necessarily cruel. My friend has an 8 year old miniature poodle and it shakes and whines when sitting by the fire!