I can understand that, my dogs have a dog flap so have outside access 24/7 and, except when its pouring with rain or some other bad weather they tend to stay outside all day, just coming in to check I'm around or for dinner etc., then they're off out again.

If my garden was big enough I would have kennels built. Not for keeping them out there all the time, just at times through the day or for grooming etc. My 3 live in the house and I definately wouldn't keep them outside at night, but thats my preference, if others choose to do it then thats their business as long as the dogs are well looked after and loved as any other then its fine. It depends I suppose on how many dogs you have, sometimes its not possible to keep them all in house and kennels give them their own space as long as they aint on their own all the time, thats sad
Like Rach said, as long as the dogs are happy then why not?

Would the new Animal Welfare act be more adequate for a situation like this?
Becky

I know Rach, it breaks my heart if I ever go round there, I don't go into the kennels as I'm afraid of what I may find. I just cannot imagine what is going through her head when she keeps adding to them. If we add thinking we are wanting one to show, work or even a companion then we have a valid reason but just to have another one to stick outside is dreadful.

I know Sheree how you must feel and I can imagine it breaks your heart. It seems that any advice falls on deaf ears - unless maybe it comes from an authority? I hope that soon these dogs will get a better life - I know you will do your best to help them too. Good luck - as you say sometimes its people who are regarded in high esteem.

And the Warden giving her dogs too - do you know the warden? Can you speak to her.

I agree I don't have an issue with people working providing they give time to their dogs etc. and same with Kennelling if the dogs are happy/have their needs catered for etc. get interacation and good quality of life then I really don't have a problem.

Sorry but 'a heart of gold' I think not. Im certain I could never be friends with anyone who abuses animals in this way or stand by and see it happen but maybe thats another debate - should we do anything if we see abuse?

On the subject, all mine come and go as they please but they all prefer to be inside, preferably on a sofa. IMO not letting dogs in the house seems pointless having a dog.

I do not like dogs being kept in kennels outside why have a dog if you are going to do this. Surely a dog would rather have human interaction than be shut in a kennel away from the pack (us). There is of course the exception of the working dog who is not being kept as a pet but for work.

So Spot, are you accusing me of letting someone abuse their dog and do nothing then?

Let me tell you, they are fed, albeit infrequently, they are undercover in secure pens. If abuse is that she doesn't see them every day, or feed them every day, or give them the stimulation they deserve then yes she is abusing them but I have not sat back and done nothing, I have contacted the authorities, (through a thrid party), who seem quite happy with her ethics, I have spoken to her on numerous occasions. I'm no happier about the situation than anyone would be, I can assure you.

Does she attach fireworks to their tails, or stub cigarettes out on them, or cause them considerable pain for the fun of it? No, definately not.

I know that the way she treats her dogs is not the way I would choose and I wouldn't have mentioned it on here if I didn't expect some sort of backlash, although I didn't think it would be aimed at me for bringing it to people attention. And I certainly don't feel I am standing by and letting it happen. How can I do anything else other than report her to the RSPCA, am I to physically remove 9 dogs from her property, then what do I do with them? I can't bring them into my home, I don't have room for another 9, especially 9 that have never been socialised with other dogs, never been upclose to another dog. Do I remove all 9 of them and drop them off at the local sanctuary? I'm sure they would refuse to take them. What exactly am I supposed to do, they are getting fed, albeit infrequently, they are undercover and the RSPCA state that they are adequately housed. And what happens once I've removed the dogs and she finds out and reports me to the police, do I then get fined huge amounts of money that I don't have so then get sent to prison because I can't pay the fines, so then I lose my dogs too.

If you are going to judge me as standing by and seeing abuse happen without doing something then please tell me what you would do in this situation. You wouldn't be friends with her, friends isn't just about going on holiday with each other, cooking each other meals etc., friends is about being there for each other when times are hard, when we experience problems. I have never been out with this lady, she is an ex neighbour of mine, but I choose to call her a friend as we are not enemies, maybe you would have preferred me to call her an acquaintance.


Please tell me what else I can do, thats within the law, or indeed, what you would do as you seem to be know it all.

I don't know the dog warden involved, my friend used to live in Essex and she knows her from there. She never tells me she has got another dog, I just seem to find out somehow. Apparently she has got gsd's and used her dog on a rescue bitch once before, just to prove him. This is just hearsay I have to mention, just what my friend told me when I found out about the litter of gsd pups.

What does that actually consist of? if it helps that would be brilliant.