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[doog]

Someone in my street used to have a lab but gave it away about a year ago.
The dog appeared at my back garden yesterday looking extremely thin so i fed her and gave her a drink as i was quite disturbed by the condition of the dog.

While the dog was eating her food her "owner" appeared and i challeneged him about the condition of the dog and i had already decided i wasnt giving the dog back to him and i would phone the sspca when he left

However he told me a story about the dog being at the vet recently about its inability to gain weight and had been de wormed etc and he seemed very believable that and the fact the dog was pleased to see him and was in no way afraid of him or jumpy
I returned his dog to him as i have no right to keep the dog from him.

Now i am feeling very very guilty as i think i may have done the wrong thing.


Please see pictures and tell me what you think
I know its not a dog forum  but  i thought this would be as good a place as any to ask.
 I am really beating myself up over this.

Doug

[tunnie]

does look thin for a lab, but worms can be a serious problem for dogs and can affect their weight.

Its a good sign dog was pleased to owner 

[hotel21]

Labs have a heart that is massive and will sustain no end of ill treatment by their owner and still come back for more.

To me, that hound is very underweight.  A view of the ribs is perhaps to be desired but far too much of a slope away into the gut region, IMHO.

SSPCA, without question, if the hound is now back with the owner....   

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I agree, speak to the RSPCA and let them know your concerns, along with any details on where the dog resides

[hotel21]

Additional post to clarify....

Perhaps the hound was given away and it has now, in true Hollywood/Lassie style, managed to travel a few thousand miles across America to meet 'Dad' once again.

Or perhaps not.... :-?

[Del Boy]

I would ring the RSPCA to get the dog checked out 

[tunnie]

i would still urge caution, his coat is in good condition, teeth look good. He could have a genuine condition with regards to weight loss.

Might be worth ring to local vets to check out his story?

[hotel21]

The body language of the hound, to me, reads as a less than happy hound.  Yes the coat seems quite fine but the tail is well down in both pics.  Could be an underlying problem ( as mine has at the moment) but, all things considered, report to the SSPCA and let them investigate rather than become directly involved yourself....

[markspark]

if the dog has had a good eat and drink at your it will do it no harn at all, the fact its eating is good sign. i would now just 4ne or go and see the rspca and take the pics along with you and im sure they will understand your concerns i really can't see the local vets giving out any info on the dog ask the rspca to report back to you with there findings

[same #same#]

i have two dogs and never would let them go that way one was from rspca, and was badly tre't and holiday farm, other one was dumped and just jumped in car when i go it phoned rspca and said if i could look after him, now had him over a year, they found him and he had 9 dogs and was not allowd to own a dog by cour years ago, both are loverly but our first dog dose not like kids or other dogs out side she tuck to the one that got in car and one found gose every were with me I would phone rspca, worming tabs dont do that to dogs it not being feed thats whats wrong with it, plus worms you would see a buldge on there bum hole as they force out the skin.

[Banjax]

wouldn't hurt to voice your concerns to the SSPCA and let them take it from there, looks very underweight for a Lab - especially as they easily get tubby 

[Dishevelled Den]

That dog certainly looks under-weight and although it's difficult to tell by looking at static photographs, it looks stressed.

Was the 'owner' sufficiently approachable for you to call by to see how the dog is doing or, can you catch a glimpse of it on your travels to get the morning paper?

Irrespective of any potential consequences - conflict with the 'owner' and so on, I think it's reasonable to alert the SSPCA as the dog can’t do this itself.  I would imagine they're more than diplomatic enough to approach the 'owner' in the right way.

[Lazydocker]

I agree... No harm in voicing concern, although the owner will know it has come from you.

[Plomien]

I agree... No harm in voicing concern, although the owner will know it has come from you.

but then if its genuine then they won't mind, you are looking after the animals welfare

[cleggy]

I have two labradors, both different sizes, but the recommended maximum weight is 30 Kg, the yellow one is slightly over that with the chocolate one slightly under, but one looks fat the other a lot thinner. I do think that the one photographed is underweight, and that is a concern, you should be able to feel the ribs, not see them.
The advice already given to contact the SSPCA is good, and can do no harm, it may give reassurance to both you, and the current owner