Kirkcaldy pet owners' anger at vet for disposing of beloved dog's ashes

A Kirkcaldy couple say they have been left devastated after their beloved dog died, and its ashes mixed in with other pets and scattered without their knowledge.

Stewart and Wendy Danskin said their experience at Inglis Veterinary Hospital in Dunfermline was ‘very stressful and upsetting’ – and they want answers.

The couple had asked for the ashes to be returned.

They’d had their white West Highland Terrier for 13 years when she took ill and had to be put to sleep.

Stewart and Wendy Danskin's beloved dog MollyStewart and Wendy Danskin's beloved dog Molly
Stewart and Wendy Danskin's beloved dog Molly
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stewart called the vet’s branch in Kirkcaldy and was advised to take the dog to Dunfermline.

"I arrived and called the receptionist who told me one of the vets would come out to the car. I sat for an hour and 20 minutes with Molly who was in discomfort.”

After hearing nothing, Stewart approached a vet to find out what was happening.

He said the surgery gave Molly a scan, adding: “They told us there was definitely something growing on the side of her liver and that it would be best for her to be put to sleep."

The next day Stewart called to find out his options and said he was told his dog would be cremated. Her ashes, along with others, could be scattered at a crematorium used by the vet, or he could take her home and bury her himself or, his pet could be cremated individually.

Stewart said: "I told the receptionist we were planning to scatter her ashes on my mum’s grave.”

After hearing nothing, Stewart said he called several times, and a manager called him back.

He continued: "She was totally apologetic and said it appeared Molly’s ashes had been put in with all the other pets, and they would be investigating.

"They couldn’t explain why it had happened.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As a family we are totally devastated as we intended to scatter her ashes on a family grave and some in Molly’s own garden.”

He added: “At the end of the day Molly is gone. The whole experience has been very stressful and upsetting.”

A spokeswoman for Inglis Veterinary Centres said their sympathies were with the family and they were investigating.

The spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Danskin family at this upsetting time, and we are addressing any matters raised by them.”

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FFP/V

Related topics: