r/newzealand • u/Ordinary_Share_4257 • 6h ago

Advice What can I do about a suspected neglected dog?

Hi all, just seeking advice on a particular problem that I'm having with a neighbour.

In short they have a dog that howls/cries all day whenever they are gone (they leave the dog locked up in a cage). The howling and whining is almost non-stop and is driving me crazy.

The dog also underweight (can see its ribs) and is left outside without shelter, clothes, or a blanket, in direct rainfall.

There is a water bowl left out for the dog, and it does have a kennel but its design traps water and no dog wants to sleep in a puddle. I just feel bad for the poor thing but am unsure what I can do within the confines of the law.

The dog is not fully mistreated as I do hear my neighbour play with them/feed them/the dogs has no signs of physical abuse so that complicates things.

Any advice is appreciated.

10 Upvotes

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13

u/ethr45 5h ago

Pretty much only the SPCA can help but you can potentially speed up the process of the dogs removal by calling in a barking complaint to the council as well.

10

u/Hubris2 5h ago

Report to the RSPCA?

• National Phone (8:30 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days): 0800 7722 69 (0800 SPCA NZ)

• Auckland Centre Phone: 09 256 7300

8

u/9greed9 5h ago

This.

You could also talk to your neighbour about the howling during the day. Might be more low key way to raise it with the neighbour rather than telling them you think the dog is mistreated.

Keep the RSPCA in mind though if its that bad

5

u/fraser_mu 5h ago

Call chained dogs awareness. Much more staunch than the spca. We met them at our property once as they were reviewing us for suitable adoption. You could tell they are serious and happy to take action. On the way out they spotted a dog over the road that was perma chained and did something about it all by themselves (ie they didnt wait for a complaint).

https://www.chaineddogawareness.com/

2

u/Love-be-all 4h ago edited 4h ago

Call SPCA. All dog owners are legally required to provide adequate shelter and access to water.

I called SPCA when my neighbour left his senior dog with obvious health issues in stormy weather overnight. Turns out my suspicions were correct, the poor thing had no shelter.

Edit: You can remain anonymous when you call SPCA. Even if it turns out the dog is perfectly fine, the shelter part sounds like it needs to be addressed.

1

u/ballbag124 5h ago

I had a dog that would howl when we left the house. It’s the worst thing ever, she would sound hurt. We were aware & nothing we did helped her. Some dogs have separation anxiety. The no shelter or water and sleeping in a puddle is a problem tho.

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u/Top-Firefighter5173 3h ago

Call the SPCA especially if you can see its ribs. I did this when driving down a street one day and happened to see a very skinny dog in a property. They updated me afterwards and you can remain anonymous

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u/twoslicespizza 3h ago

Call the spca and your local council