Devastated couple in tears after vets offered to put dog to sleep in car boot
A grieving couple claim vets offered to put their beloved pet dog to sleep in the boot of their car in a car park rather than euthanise him at home.
Devastated Grace Price and John Kerr were both left stunned and distressed when Vets4Pets in Ayr, Scotland suggested treating their precious pet, Bear, in their car boot, at a private location outside the surgery. The couple who spent three happy years with the adopted dog wanted to allow him to die peacefully at home, rather than drive the 25 minute journey to the vets.
The stunning Great Pyrenees dog was well known locally after the massive 11-stone animal won competitions including being crowned West FM’s Dog Mayor of Ayrshire after he was rescued. He had been struck down with degenerative myelopathy - a condition which affected the canine's spine and nerves.
Bear's owners didn’t want to inflict any more pain by lifting him into the car for his final journey, but they say the vets said they were too busy for a home visit which they were told requires two vets to carry out the life ending procedure. Abigail, 27, told Ayrshire Live: “Vets4Pets were aware of Bear's condition. We knew this day was coming, it had gotten to the point where our poor dog could no longer walk. He was on pain management.
Bear was crowned Dog Mayor (Ayrshire Post)
Bear on the beach (Ayrshire Post)“We called Vets4Pets looking for advice on putting him down. We weren’t comfortable lifting him and putting him in any more pain. We wanted it to be done at home and we made that clear when we phoned. The call-handler just said to give her a minute and she spoke to her manager.
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“They said that they were too busy to do a home visit and that the only thing they could offer is to use a towel to lift Bear into the boot of the car. Go round to the back car park which is private and they’ll put him to sleep in the car. We both broke down in tears, it left us really distressed. The way we were treated is just heartbreaking, the call-handler was so rushed, she didn’t show any compassion. She couldn’t wait to get us off the phone.”
John, 30, added: “They couldn’t do home calls because they were fully booked but surely this can’t be the next best option. We had already spent thousands on treatment for Bear at the Ayr vets, they knew of him and his condition. We took him to Ayr because it was ground floor, unlike the Vets4Pets in Irvine which has stairs. But the service at the end was just shocking.”
Devastated owners Abigail and John (Alasdair MacLeod/Ayrshire Post)The couple ended up using another firm, Cloud 9, who were able to come to their home and gave Bear a peaceful send off on Thursday, March 7. Abigail added: “We’re so glad Bear got the right outcome and was put peacefully to sleep at home like we always wanted. We were so scared to phone another vets and we’re glad we found Cloud 9. They arranged transport for him to a crematorium straight after. We just hope other owners don’t have the same issues we had."
Vets4Pets is owned by UK pet store Pets at Home. A Pets at Home spokeswoman said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Ms Price and Mr Kerr during this difficult time, and we are very sorry to hear they were unhappy with our service as we always had Bear's best interests at heart.
"Unfortunately, our practice was at full capacity and could not accommodate a home visit at such short notice, and so an alternative option was offered for Bear to be driven to the private car park at the back of the practice. This would give both Bear and his owners’ privacy and remove the need to bring him inside the practice. This is not an unusual situation in veterinary practice with the welfare of pets always our top priority and advice was provided on the most appropriate and comfortable way to transport Bear.”
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