A dog owner attempted to return their pooch after deciding the pup 'didn't match the sofa'.
Former CEO of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Claire Horton, said the callous owner had been banned from the rescue centre and urged people to think twice before adopting a new pet during the pandemic.
Appearing on the BBC's Desert Island Discs, Horton warned would-be owners to really consider why they want to get a new pet and make sure they're doing it for the right reasons.
Horton told the show that she estimates that around 10 percent of dogs that are rehomed are returned at a later date.
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She said: "Usually it will be a very genuine change in circumstances [why people return], so it could be an illness. Someone might die.
"It might be a relationship breakdown, and people get divorced, and we see that a lot."
But others have less genuine reasons, with Horton adding: "We'll get people who will bring them back because they hadn't thought it was going to wee on the carpet or chew the bottom of their door.
"We've even had a dog come back once because it didn't match the sofa!"
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She later added that the person is banned from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Horton went on to say that the cost of pet ownership, combined with a loss of income due to the pandemic, has meant that some families have had to rehome their dogs.
Praising the hard working staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Horton said the team try to find as many suitable homes for the animals in their care as possible.
She added: "That's the point of the whole Battersea premise around 'rescue is our favourite breed'.
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"It's not about what breed it is, what colour it is.
"It's about just being a rescue, just being an animal that you've given a chance to that needs a wonderful life and is begging for a fantastic home.
"And all it wants is love.
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"And what you'll get back from that is unconditional loyalty and love forever."
You can check out the good work Battersea Dogs and Cats Home does here.
Featured Image Credit: Karen Warfel/Pixabay