A devastated dog owner claims her pet was referred to as a 'bag of shopping' as she battled to get her beloved pooch's body back from an Ayrshire vets.
Heartbroken Amy Currie alleges that her beagle, Luna, was put to sleep at Valley Veterinary Group in Kilmarnock but the tragic dog would not be released until she stumped up the cash for a £2,237.43 bill.
The grieving mum was left stunned after claiming the practice manager compared her dog of 10 years to a bag of shopping and that she wouldn't expect to leave a supermarket without paying.
Valley Veterinary Group said it deeply regretted any 'further upset' caused to Ms Currie and said an investigation had been launched into the "shortcomings" of its service.
Luna was rushed to the vets on May 20 when the pooch became suddenly unwell and was returned to the practice several times.
Scans on the pet showed a foreign object in her stomach with an operation the only way to save her life.
Amy said: "I didn't hear from her [the practice surgeon] until they phoned me while Luna was open on the table and they told me that Luna's injury was a lot worse than we hoped and told me the risks of carrying on with the surgery as it would be a lot more extensive and came with more risks..
"I asked if it was her dog what would she do, knowing all the risks. She said with Luna's age and all the post operation complications she would likely be facing, that she would let her go so I said: 'ok let her go'."
Luna was put to sleep under general anaesthetic on May 25 and Amy went into the practice to say goodbye.
Amy said: "The surgeon who cared for and looked after Luna was amazing and an absolute credit to the practice, she was heartbroken when Luna was gone.
"Every single receptionist I spoke with during that time were also amazing and showed true kindness and compassion for me and Luna.
"It was the practice manager who had no compassion or even respect when talking to me."
After Amy said her goodbyes she wanted to cremate Luna but claims Valley Veterinary Group refused to give the body back until the bill of £2237.43 was paid.
Amy added: "I asked if they could sort a payment plan and a few hours later the practice manager phoned me and she spent the whole phone call trying to shame me and telling me she was disappointed in me, threw the cost of living in my face and that she could still afford to insure her dogs.
"She told me my options were to pay in full or have it sent to debt collectors. I told her if she had to send it to the debt collector and if that was the only way, that it was fine and I will pay it up.
"The practice manager said that she had looked into it further since we had last spoke and that she was under no obligation to return Luna to me and didn't deny that the practice stood nothing to gain from keeping her from me.
"I have asked what they would do with her if I didn't pay and she said they would send her for a communal cremation where she would then be disposed of.
"She then referred to Luna as a bag of shopping and said I wouldn't expect to walk into a supermarket and leave with a bag of shopping without paying. I asked her not to compare my dog of 10 years to a bag of shopping and begged and begged for them to let me bring her home but she refused and ended the call."
A CVS Vets spokeswoman said: "Our vets did everything they could to save Luna and we are very sorry we did not achieve this. The unexpected loss of a much-loved pet is a very distressing experience and we deeply regret any further upset caused to Ms Currie by requests from the practice for payment of fees due.
"We cannot comment in detail on the exchanges, due to our professional obligation to respect confidentiality, but are investigating and will ensure that we learn from any shortcomings in our service."
With the help from family, friends and everyone who donated through GoFundMe, Amy was finally able to pay off the bill and Luna was removed from the Valley Veterinary Group in Kilmarnock on Friday, June 9 by PCS crematorium in Irvine and cremated that afternoon with Amy collecting her ashes on June 16.
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