Healthy Dog Put Down Because Late Owner Requested They Be Buried Together

We all love our dogs - often more than our partners/parents/children. But when you truly love something, you prioritise what is right for them over what is right for yourself.

This brings us nicely to a woman in the US who had her dog put down so they could be buried together.

Brown and white Shih Tzu mix Emma (not the dog pictured, but similar looking) was brought to Chesterfield Animal Shelter in Richmond, Virginia, in early March following the death of her owner.

The dog - which was described as healthy and well-pampered - spent the next fortnight there, during which period volunteers pleaded with the executor of the deceased woman's estate not to go through with the euthanasia of the pooch. However, their appeals were ignored.

Carrie Jones, manager of Chesterfield County Animal Services, told WWBT NBC: "We did suggest they could sign the dog over on numerous occasions, because it's a dog we could easily find a home for and re-home.

"But ultimately, they came back in on 22 March and redeemed the dog."

From there, Emma was taken to a vet who put her down. She was then sent to a pet cremation centre and her ashes were placed in an urn and returned to the representative of the estate to bury alongside the owner.

As news of the animal's untimely demise broke, there was an angry backlash from dog lovers on Twitter.

PA

One person said: "WTF!!! people don't care for animals in life or death!!! This is heartless, inhumane, and pitiful!!! And the people who killed said dog are even more trash!!"

Another added: "When the dog passes away naturally, feel free to have the dog join her but that's so messed up. I have cats but, I'd just want them to go to another family member that will take care of them."

It is not illegal to put down healthy pets in Virginia, however, many vets are ethically opposed to it.

Dr. Kenny Lucas, a vet at Shady Grove Animal Clinic, said he would not have put down Emma.

According to NBC 12, he said: "Whenever we're faced with a euthanasia situation, it's a very emotional situation - and beyond everything we talk about - that we need to do ethically, and we've taken an oath to do.

"Also it's something we take home too. It weighs on us as professionals."

Topics: Dog, US News, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey