https://www.reddit.com/r/RBI/comments/1ifzpqg/weird_experience_in_central_london_what_was_going/
created by snowdroptiger on 02/02/2025 at 15:32 UTC
225 upvotes, 18 top-level comments (showing 18)
This happened the other day while I was walking to my gym in central London. A man who seemed homeless stopped me and asked if I’d “watch his dog for an hour.” Bit of a strange request, so I said no and carried on.
Fast forward about an hour and a half—on my way home, a *different* man, but *the same dog*, stops me and asks me the exact same thing. Not even a change in phrasing “could you watch my dog for an hour for me love” although this time when I said no he pushed further “oh come on, it’s just an hour”. He seemed more annoyed at my refusal than the first man.
I haven’t stopped thinking about it. What was going on there? Some kind of scam? A weird social experiment? If I’d said yes, would I now have a dog? Is this just how everyone acquires dogs and I didn’t know?
Has anyone else come across this before? Or have I just witnessed something completely inexplicable?
Comment by flitterbug33 at 02/02/2025 at 16:00 UTC
96 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Post over on r/scams and see what they come up with.
Comment by LilJourney at 02/02/2025 at 15:47 UTC
330 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Two friends, one dog, one pub that won't let dogs in is my guess.
Comment by airfryerfuntime at 02/02/2025 at 19:52 UTC
62 upvotes, 1 direct replies
That has to be some kind of new scam. My guess is that 5 minutes after you take the dog, someone else walks up claiming you stole his dog, and he'll call the police unless you give him some money to go away.
Comment by kaproud1 at 02/02/2025 at 15:40 UTC
140 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If I’d said yes, would I now have a dog? Is this just how everyone acquires dogs and I didn’t know?
💀
Comment by General_Specific at 02/02/2025 at 17:29 UTC
60 upvotes, 0 direct replies
They don't come back for the dog. When they see you again they press you to pay for the dog. They are probably watching and when you walk away they follow you.
Comment by PengyLi at 02/02/2025 at 15:50 UTC
63 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Maybe an organized group? I'll never forget seeing a group of beggers who I used to see dotted around the town, being disgorged from a people carrier just outside the city centre. They divided up the dogs and small children so that everyone had one or the other and off they went to their respective begging posts around the town. It had never occurred to me that they were a group. I used to give the "mothers and children" a few quid each time because I was so distraught at the thought of the child being hungry. They were dropped off in a car which was newer, better and more expensive than my parents had ever been able to afford. It really changed my view of beggers and begging groups.
Comment by SickSte9 at 02/02/2025 at 22:15 UTC
14 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There's an old scam which this might have been the start of. It works the same as the engagement ring scam from zombieland (if you've seen that?) Someone convinces you the dog is some rare breed and offers you a fortune for it, the beggar comes back to retrieve his dog, makes some comment about being skint and offers to sell you the dog at a discount price which of course you snap his hand off for, you Try to sell the dog to the person who originally offered you a lot for it but he's nowhere to be found as him.and the "beggar" are working together and have both dissappeared with your money
Comment by PomegranateV2 at 02/02/2025 at 15:46 UTC
30 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Cursed dog.
💀
Comment by Beard_o_Bees at 02/02/2025 at 17:05 UTC
17 upvotes, 1 direct replies
In the US here, and i've seen homeless people work in 'shifts'.
Where I live, apparently the most lucrative thing they can do is stand on the road median at major intersections holding signs with messages made to tug at your heart and wallet.
Anyway, at the really choice intersections they seem to have worked out a schedule where one will hold the sign for as long as it takes to get whatever amount of money (next fix probably) - then hand the same sign over to the next person, who's usually waiting in a nearby parking lot.
So when I hear 'same dog' this comes to mind - however, you have to ask yourself why would someone want to know where you are for a set amount of time?
Do you take this route regularly? How far from home is it?
Comment by vanessarichter at 03/02/2025 at 01:50 UTC
15 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I work in LB (London Bridge) and I know the guys. they both own the dog and ask you to watch the dog so they can both go drink in the pub. the dog is always with them. the pub doesn’t allow dogs and one of them has to always stay out and watch the dog. I guess he wanted to join his friend.
Comment by Shabingly at 02/02/2025 at 22:14 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Sounds a bit like a version of the dropped ring scam. But with a dog.
Comment by DiamanteNegroFan at 02/02/2025 at 18:41 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
No idea, but good that OP didn't accept
Comment by norsurfit at 03/02/2025 at 05:15 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Ah, the old "watch my dog" scam...a classic!
Comment by Any-Concept-3110 at 02/02/2025 at 19:24 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
What’s the region like? Pubs? Shelters? Hospital? Street with vacant lots? That really makes a difference.
Comment by aquoad at 02/02/2025 at 23:54 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This seriously sounds like the set up to a joke!
Comment by ankole_watusi at 02/02/2025 at 18:18 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m imagining this as an Andy Capp comic strip…
Edit: I tried. This is the best I could come up with:
https://www.redbubble.com/i/metal-print/ANDY-CAPP-WITH-DOG-by-Whatamidoing20/48215436.0JXQP
Comment by Aonaibh at 03/02/2025 at 16:09 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Although I doubt it’s the case but there’s an old grift think it’s called pigeon drop, and/or rare dog switch.
Comment by A_n0nnee_M0usee at 03/02/2025 at 02:14 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Protection policy:
video tape the person asking you to mind the dog having them say their name, name of the dog, where they are going, how long they will be, if they do not return after an hour you will tie leash to nearest object, And you would like a $40 deposit which can be returned if the individual comes back within the hour.