Street beggars

[Mups]

We have perhaps discussed this before,  but what are your feelings about these people who sit hunched up on the pavement outside shops and supermarkets?

Do you give them food, or money perhaps,  or do you usually walk past?

I used to sometimes give them a snack, like a pastie, or sandwich perhaps,  or even a bit of loose change,  but I don't anymore.
I can't help but notice how most of these people always have enough money for their fags and mobile phones!

Recently there was a new thing to worry about though.   Puppies.   Yes a 'bull-breed'   puppy that looked barely 6 weeks old,  being held by a man sitting on the pavement   -  in the heat we've had!

I couldn't stop thinking about it.   Was it nicked?  Was he trying to flog it?  Or was it being used to entice more people to stop and give him money?
It looked like it should still be with its mother and litter mates.   How was he going to feed it all day? Was it bottle fed?
I didn't even see a bowl of water,  even if it could lap for itself.

Then,  even worse,  a gobby woman with a voice I could have heard from the next street,  came along and sat down next to him - and guess what?   She also had what looked like a litter mate of the bloke's puppy,  all wrapped up in a thick blanket,  in this warm weather.   I would be surprised if it didn't get heat stroke before the day was out.
I have thought about it ever since.  Quite a few other people were talking about it too.

[klondike]

Never seen any with puppies but some do have dogs. Whether that is for company, protection or sympathy I can't say. I don't carry cash so unless they take card, which must surely be coming, they are out of luck with me.

[GrannyMac]

There's a project in the city centre that helps the homeless.  I donate to them, not to individual beggars.

[Michael Rolls]

I always usd to give them something - I could afford it and I had no way of knowing their stories, other than to be grateful it wasn't me sitting on a pavement

[GrannyMac]

I always usd to give them something - I could afford it and I had no way of knowing their stories, other than to be grateful it wasn't me sitting on a pavement

I know what you mean Mike.  However, big drugs issues in our city centre.  The project at the Cathedral offers free meals, showers, clothes, and support.  They're very successful in helping those who want to engage.

[Michael Rolls]

sounds a very good service

[Mups]

I read somewhere that a lot of these street beggars are working for gangmasters now.


I remember a long time back, when a woman who works in Asda told me the one who sat outside their shop was picked up in a BMW at the end of every day.

Wherever they come from,  they should not have had those tiny young puppies out in the street all day.  The bloke said the large, adult dog he had with him was the father,  but I have no idea if that was true.  Maybe that is their latest brainwave -  breeding a bitch every season and then selling the puppies.  Who knows.

[Scrumpy]

No.. I do not give them anything.. 
Some have animals with them to get the sympathy vote..

Where's Brian when you need him.. He would tell 'em..
 'Get a job'... Every town needs a Brian..