Advice please! Distressed, barking dog shut in motor garage..

[civilservant]

right -

the RSPCA believes that this is ok, possibly because there are dogs in even worse conditions.

we can call the council, but because none of us is personally inconvenienced, we haven't got a leg to stand on.

so we are all skirting decorously around this issue, and passing it along to each other

meanwhile the poor bloody dog is apparently living in conditions that you wouldn't wish on, well, even a dog, and in the worst week of the year.

I will pop in myself and find out. if you'd like to join me, PM me today before 4.

[rch]

It might be worth talking to the local police SNT team and asking their advice, it doesn't hurt to ask.

It looks like this location is in The Lane ward... hopefully the direct contact details of The Lane SNT haven't changed.

Phone 020 8721 2769 (you may have to leave a message and wait for them to get back to you when they're on duty). Or email them and include a link to this thread, so they can see the community concern... the email address is [email protected]

[civilservant]

ok - done, thanks Robin. i'll let you know what they say before I go storming in.

[rch]

Oh, good... yes, please let me know what happens. If nothing else, the sergeant in that ward is one of the most community spirited SNT officers in the borough, so it's good to make contact.

[tiddles]

Let us know how you get on. I?m trying to see if there is a mobile number to call them on

[rch]

The SNT landlines automatically synchronise with the mobile device that the officers take with them out on patrol. Most residents prefer to call landline numbers because there's no charge. If they don't answer straight away then they're either not on duty or else busy doing something.

Just leave a message and they'll usually call back as soon as possible. Otherwise, phone 101 and ask the operator to divert an internal computer message to the relevant SNT and also get a reference number to prove that you actually called in case things get complicated.

[civilservant]

the police have promised to look into this, but i did some scouting of my own around 6 o'clock

the garage in question is next door to Bar Story, which was pumping out its usual volume of music - so you could hear the dog barking as you approached, but not inside the bar itself

the people in the garage seemed to be busy with some car stuff so i spoke to one of the bartenders

he told me that the garage had security guards who sat out all night with their dogs - he said he felt sorry for them sitting there night after night in the cold

so i'm not sure what to think any more. i'll wait to hear what the police have to say, but maybe this one is not for the RSPCA after all

[first mate]

That does not quite ring true for me. An experienced security dog and handler would not have the dog bark at every noise and movement because it would become a public nuisance. I also doubt that humans are sitting out all night, especially in this weather. Additionally, by law, if the premises is being patrolled by dogs this must be clearly stated in signage. The law also says that security dogs must always be under the control of experienced, qualified handlers.

[rch]

You're totally correct, first mate. This could get interesting...

[civilservant]

police haven't got back to me yet

ETA I have chased them via email

[Jwillcox]

I hope the dog is OK after the cold of last night x x let me. Know if I can help with calling people x to get some help x

[rch]

Any news??

[civilservant]

rch Wrote:

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> Any news??

i emailed the police at the weekend but no response, so detoured past the garage this morning on my way to the station.

no barking, closed gates, a man sitting in a car behind the gates, a sign on the gates warning about guard dogs - that was all

i'll continue to keep an ear and eye out, and i'll keep checking with the police as well

however - this is a busy and well-frequented area.

anyone walking between the station/Rye Lane and Bellenden/Choumert Grove passes these premises.

Bar Story's next door; trendy hangouts like Brick House, Peckham Refreshment Rooms are all well within earshot of this garage

if anyone hears sounds suggesting a stressed or unhappy dog, can you let this forum know, please?

[rch]

Hi civilservant, I would suggest that you phone 101 and get a reference number - phoning in the morning is easier as the lines aren't as busy.

My understanding is that it is a criminal offence which can generate a fine if a licensed security guard isn't present with a guard dog and a notice displayed.

So either the police attended, hence the change in circumstances, or else someone monitoring this forum or even from the bar tipped off the garage that someone was asking questions.

Either way, the police should get back to you.

[dancet]

Dog in the garage next to Bar Storey was whining/barking Sunday morning at 11am, nobody was around.

[civilservant]

dancet Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dog in the garage next to Bar Storey was

> whining/barking Sunday morning at 11am, nobody was

> around.

thanks, dancet

[civilservant]

UPDATE FROM POLICE:

Hi good morning to you, sorry for the late update.

I did visit the garage twice now during day time last was yesterday. The guy I spoke to said the dog who is there during evenings/nights is kept inside and imagine only let out occasionally for fresh air etc?..

I was truthful and said we?d have members of the public contact us regarding the treatment, welfare of their dog/dogs being kept there evening periods especially during the very cold spell of weather.

He has said he?ll pass that on to the guy who?s in charge evening times and I said I?ll be popping up next time I?m on late shift to see for myself how the dog is being cared and not simply left outside for hrs & hrs.

In the future please continue letting me know if anything changes, something that really concerns you and we?ll take action.

TO WHICH I REPLIED AS FOLLOWS:

really appreciate your attention to this ? I expect that this is just one of the calls on your time!

People have contacted me to say that the dog is heard barking a lot in the evenings.

I?ve been going by the garage myself to check on the situation ? there doesn?t seem to be any sound in the mornings, but I hear the dog in the evenings.

I?ve got a dog myself and I know that he?ll only bark (and keep barking) if he?s unhappy in some way.

I understand that there are legal requirements on the treatment of any dog that is being used as a guard dog, and I am concerned that these are not being met. The fact is that public concern was expressed long before the bad weather, and just ramped up as a result of the snow.

I'll keep you updated in case of concern - thanks again for your help

[Sue]

Thanks for taking so much trouble over this, civilservant

[Angelina]

Civilservant - you are brilliant having followed this up with such tenacity.

[natty01295]

Listen to the barking song

[civilservant]

I finally actually saw this dog for the first time today

it is a German Shepherd cross in a rather bad way - its ribs are clearly visible, its fur is in very poor condition and its tail has been docked in some clumsy fashion

I got to see it so well because it came up to the gate to look at me and allowed me to stroke its muzzle

I doubt that it ever leaves the garage premises and I wonder whether it is even micro-chipped

it is clearly NOT a registered guard dog, even though there is a sign on the garage to that effect

I will be calling the RSPCA for the nth time and also following up with the police

Could any forum readers who frequent Bar Story please help to ensure that this poor wretched animal has a better life???

ETA I have called the RSPCA who have promised to visit to check and have also emailed local Met police

[Blah Blah]

Sounds like a clear case for the RSPCA now. If the dog is underweight, it could have some underlying condition that is not being treated rather than being underfed. The RSPCA should now surely respond to this?

[Mystic Mog]

Poor thing, well done for persevering and good luck with the RSPCA. I do hope there is a happy outcome.

[Peckhamguy]

3 in the morning last night still barking, the dogs have different shifts they bring a new dog every now and then, and this morning when I went to have a good look I also saw a man in there to with security clothing on

[civilservant]

thanks for your PM, theron, and peckhamguy - i will keep on following up with the rspca and the police

i note this from the rspca website:

The RSPCA believes that the basic welfare of all animals must take into account the 'Five Welfare Needs'.

These needs are: - somewhere suitable to live - a proper diet, including fresh water - the ability to express normal behaviour - for any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals - protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury.

for this dog or dogs, it does look like at least some of these welfare needs aren't being met and so a suitable case for the rspca to follow up.