RSPCA officers were called to the Arctic Ranger pub in Hall Road, Orchard Park, after a council worker reported what he described as "disgraceful and inexcusable" conditions.And they are – the pictures show an utter mess, a place so filthy you wouldn't keep a dog in those cond…
Oh.
Philip Hoggard, 50, who owns Stella, a Staffordshire bull terrier, lives above the pub and says he cares for the dog.
He said: "The dog is in no danger whatsoever. "I was getting complaints from the council about the dog howling when she was inside the pub, so I let her out.
"I put her out at about 6.30am before I go to work and take her back in at 7pm latest.
"I feed her every day. She is not abandoned."Wha…?
You leave the poor animal in a rubbish-strewn back yard on its own all day? Why would anyone get a dog if that’s the only life they could give it?
An RSPCA officer visited the yard after it had been cleaned and issued the dog owner advice on how to care for the dog. However, the dog was not removed because the RSPCA said there was not sufficient evidence of neglect.*speechless*
To be fair its no different really to a dog being left at home inside all day while the owners work. Just because its among a load of rubbish doesn't mean its neglected. I know my dog would love a pile of rubbish to rummage through! You have to be careful not to anthropomorphise animals - just because we like to live in a clean and tidy house doesn't mean a dog feels the same way. As long as its fed and loved it'll be happy, and that dog looks well fed and happy with her owner.
ReplyDeleteThere's an old joke:
ReplyDeletePut your wife and dog in the boot of your car for an hour and see which one is happy to see you when you let them out.
Just because you can leave a dog alone in a shit-strewn yard for 14 hours a day..and it will still be happy to see you...that doesn't mean you should.
For the loyalty on show in the photo alone the dog deserves better than that.
"To be fair its no different really to a dog being left at home inside all day while the owners work. "
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't understand how anyone can do that, either...