Has anyone seen those two terribly skinny dogs?

[kamila]

I spotted them about 2-3 months ago in Peckham Rye park,have seen them 2-3 more times since,and again today.Walked by a women, owner I guess....They are two italian greyhounds so I do know that they supposed to be skinny but these two look just awful (ok,one of them looked okish today).I spoke to the women but she doesnt seem to see that there is anything wrong!She says that her vet says that the dog looks ok and the poor thing is just sitting on the grass shaking,skin and bones!

I was wondering if anyone else have seen the dogs and if there is anything we can do about it?

[waynetta]

Mind your own business ? They're dogs, not children.

[Saffron]

Lovely that you noticed and wanted to help. Probably the dogs are ok. Italian greyhounds are supposed to be thin. It's the way the breed looks in general. Breed standards are weights from 6 to 18 lbs, with divisions for dogs under 8 lbs, or over 8 lbs. It would seem this woman's dogs fall into the later category? Also, they can be fussy eaters, so that probably doesn't help. But if the owner has seen the vet, then it's likely just fine. As for the poor poochie's shakes, it may just be a very nervous dog. That's fairly normal too and not indicative of any problems. Are you a dog owner? Perhaps if you see the woman more often, you could walk your dogs together. If you get to know her and her dogs, you can see that they are fine, and you'll have made a new friend too.

[bonniebird]

waynetta Wrote:

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> Mind your own business ? They're dogs, not

> children.

Nice waynetta >:D<

Dogs, like small children obviously can't speak for themselves, so its nice when people bother to make sure they are being treated ok. I haven't seen them Kamila, but I am glad that you have inquired about them, sometimes its good not to "mind your own business" if the owner is a good one, then they won't mind being asked about there dogs.

[waynetta]

I'm sorry if I have caused offence.It was not intended despite my post appearing abrupt. But my sentiments remain the same. I love dogs and we used to have a lovely alsation when I was a kid, but they are not humans and therefore should not be humanized (not sure if that's the right word)

[ClareC]

waynetta Wrote:

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> I'm sorry if I have caused offence.It was not

> intended despite my post appearing abrupt. But my

> sentiments remain the same. I love dogs and we

> used to have a lovely alsation when I was a kid,

> but they are not humans and therefore should not

> be humanized (not sure if that's the right word)

How is caring about their welfare / that they are not mistreated humanising them? The OP showed concern, I don't see how that humanises them. If you genuinely love dogs as you claim, you would be concerned if you thought one was being mistreated.

[waynetta]

Yes it's true Clare I would. However, did the OP not write that the owner had told her that the vet said the dog was ok?

I'm currently on holiday in Greece, and you should see the way the dogs are treated out here! Now that really upsets me as it seems quite clear that they are treated cruelly. Most of them look mangy and underfed. I think dogs back in the UK can sometimes be pampered and I don't think that's good for them. Anyway, I'm off to the beach to top up my tan. :)

[kamila]

-- moved topic --

[waynetta]

Dog owners: Don't waste money on a lead. Simply walk your dog backwards holding it's tail.

[computedshorty]

If the owner of these dogs takes them out for walks shows that they are cared for, having seen them three times over three months you might be able to assess any decline in their health. I dont think you should worry about them.

If these dogs were starved or ill treated it is very unlikely that the owner would put them on display.

It is good that the public are concerned about other animals seen as they walk their own.

[Claire35]

I am a greyhound owner and despite looking rather skinny, he is actually well within his weight range at 32kgs/ about 5 stone.

I do worry about people not familiar with greyhounds might think so I often find myself telling people how much he weighs and that it is normal for the last 3 ribs to be on show.

On a healthy greyhound you can see the last 3 ribs and also the pin bones above the hips...although these should not make the hair stick up. The lack of fat is why you always see people coating up their greyhounds in chilly weather. To make up for this lack of fat, you should check out the size of his muscles....

Perhaps these Italian greyhounds are recently rescued. I know that our dog was 2 kgs lighter 2 months ago.

To be honest, I agree that someone wouldn't walk their dog in public if they were being malnourished

[kamila]

Ok,I am just attaching a couple of pictures that I have found on the internet, the dog I am talking about is as skinny as this one in the picture, skin and bones like I said earlier.

I am a dog owner and I know how the italian greyhound should like like.

I dont think that woman walks them alot, I spend lots of time in Peckham Park and only have seen her 3/4 times.

They are not rescued dogs and I really dont think that the vet have seen that dog at all...

[kamila]

Just thinking how to deal with this situation as I want the dog to look well and dont think it is despite the owner saying its healthy. I had a conversation with her and she was giving me every reason in the book as to why the dog was skinny. giving me reasons like old, fussy eater, and that the vet told her to give it condensed milk! Both hounds were skin and bones the few months ago that I saw her and now one (yesterday I saw her) has put on weight and the other just as thin. Yesterday my friend who was walking with me noticed that thier nails were so long they were curling and we questioned her about it and she said they had just had thier nails clipped! I just want to do what is right for the dog.

[DJKillaQueen]

I've known lots of greyhound owners in my life and I must admit none of their dogs were ever as skinny as those in the pics you've posted. You can see from those that the dog's demeanour is all wrong and I'd say if this woman's dogs look like that then there might be a problem. Plus I'd agree that just because someone says they've taken the dog to a vet doesn't always mean they have. But to do anytihng about it you'd need to know where the woman lives I guess.

[DJKillaQueen]

If the nails are curling then she definitely isn't walking them enough or taking them to the vet as needed. If you can find out where she lives then you can call the RSPCA. They would visit and look at the dogs and if there's a problem would treat the dogs and then see if they can get the owner to look after them better first, before taking them away (as a last resort). I would suggest doing that if you are genuinely concerned. You can call them anyway for some advice.

[Claire35]

Shocking photos...sorry about my explanation re greyhounds...it's just that a number of friends have told me how skinny mine is so I just wanted to set the record straight

Seriously worrying if those digs you mention look anything like the photos. Can you tell the RSPCA when and where the digs are walked?

[EDdownunder]

Well said ClareC, spot on.

Waynetta i think you've taken on a bit too much sun today, either that or your just not a very nice person. Maybe I'm being harsh but I don't have kids and i love my dogs so if someone was being cruel to my animals I pray that kamila and not you are passing by.

ClareC Wrote:

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> waynetta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I'm sorry if I have caused offence.It was not

> > intended despite my post appearing abrupt. But

> my

> > sentiments remain the same. I love dogs and we

> > used to have a lovely alsation when I was a

> kid,

> > but they are not humans and therefore should

> not

> > be humanized (not sure if that's the right

> word)

>

> How is caring about their welfare / that they are

> not mistreated humanising them? The OP showed

> concern, I don't see how that humanises them. If

> you genuinely love dogs as you claim, you would be

> concerned if you thought one was being mistreated.

[Sunlover00]

waynetta Wrote:

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> Mind your own business ? They're dogs, not

> children.

And what would you do? Ignore it? I'm not an animal fanatic by any means but your attitude stinks.

[Sunlover00]

waynetta Wrote:

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> ".... I think dogs back in the UK can

> sometimes be pampered and I don't think that's

> good for them. .."

Mind your own business.

[katie1997]

waynetta Wrote:

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> Yes it's true Clare I would. However, did the OP

> not write that the owner had told her that the vet

> said the dog was ok?

The owner may have told the OP that "the vet said the dog was ok" however if this was contradictory to the appearance of the dog then they would likely - and rightly - take that remark with a pinch of salt.

> I'm currently on holiday in Greece, and you should

> see the way the dogs are treated out here! Now

> that really upsets me as it seems quite clear that

> they are treated cruelly. Most of them look mangy

> and underfed. I think dogs back in the UK can

> sometimes be pampered and I don't think that's

> good for them. Anyway, I'm off to the beach to top

> up my tan. :)

waynetta - it may be that the dogs you are seeing in Greece are strays, rather than pets, so are not being deliberately mistreated by humans (not that I am saying that its OK). For several years I lived in a country where stray, seriously underfed dogs are commonplace, its very distressing either way.

kamila - I am not an expert on greyhounds by any means but if the dogs are like the photos you have posted on here, well...I would definitely query whether a vet has said that the dogs are ok and yes, contacting an animal welfare charity for advice would likely be the best advice (as DJKQ gives above). I think its admirable that you care for animal welfare and have posted on here for constructive advice.

[sprocket]

I've seen these dogs too, in Peckham Rye Park earlier this week. One looked like a fairly average skinny grey hound, the other was shockingly thin and I could see literally all of the dogs ribs, spine, I don't own dogs and don't know a lot about greyhounds but to my eyes the dog looked very ill and unhealthily skinny...not sure what you should do about it but just thought I'd mention I'd seen it too

[Saffron]

Hi Kamila-

Again, lovely that you care and want to help. I share your sense of frustration, and agree with others that you take advice from an animal welfare charity (although what more they can say, I don't know). What is the woman owner herself like? Maybe she, like her dogs, could use a little TLC. Try to befriend her. Offer for her to join you for coffee. Maybe she needs help, but doesn't know how to ask? Have you complimented her on the dog that has gained weight? How did she react? Perhaps you could find a local specialist vet, and recommend her for a consultation? Some vets might consider doing a little pro bono work considering the dogs' condition.

...hope you can help,

Saff

[cate]

I would absolutely trust Kamila's instinct about these dogs. She knows a lot about dogs and has looked after my dog many times. I hope she can find out where they live and that a vet can look at the dogs. I would be tempted to stage an intervention and kidnap them and take them to a vet!

[DJKillaQueen]

Don't be afraid to talk to the RSPCA....the first thing they will do it try to work with the owner to improve the care she gives them. They would only take the dogs as a last resort. The very skinny one may have some underlying (but treatable) condition, but it needs a visit to a vet to get help. If left, malnourishment puts a strain on the organs and can lead to rapid failure of any or all of them so it's important to get it looked at asap. It may well be that the owner has financial problems and isn't aware that she can get free treatment from both the RSPCA (in Camberwell and Norwood) and the PDSA (in New Cross).

[waynetta]

I think it's worth pointing out that the pictures attached I don't think are the actual pictures of these dogs. They are pictures that the OP has trawled the internet for to use to demonstrate what she saw.