Puppy breeder faces complaints
MORE than 20 complaints have been made to trading standards about a County Durham puppy breeder, it can be revealed.
Durham County Council’s trading standards team has received 23 complaints about animals bought from Ivy Leaf Kennels in Burnhope, near Consett, in the past two years.
Six have resulted in ongoing investigations, while some of the complaints have been thrown out.
One couple made a complaint after their puppy died just nine days after they brought him home.
Lillian Spence, 70, and husband Irvan, 74, from South Shields, bought Red in May for around £500.
But the cavalier King Charles spaniel was just 11 weeks old when it died.
The retired couple had bought Red after their beloved pet spaniel Missy died at nine years old in May.
“We’ve always had dogs, we know what we’re doing and how to look after them,” Mrs Spence said. “We didn’t plan on getting another dog so soon but the house was quiet without Missy and, when we met Red, he was lovely – he looked just like our other one.” Mrs Spence said. Within a few days they noticed that Red was poorly and was passing blood so they took him the vet.
Despite help from the vet, Red’s condition got worse and he died five days later.
Mrs Spence said: “He downhill so quickly.
“It was horrible seeing him like that, he was so little and so poorly. We’d just went LILLIAN SPENCE
just lost our other dog Missy and then this.”
The couple say they can’t face the heartbreak of losing another pet after what has happened and have no plans to get another dog.
They turned to trading standards as they feel that something must have gone wrong for the puppy to die so young.
Durham County Council confirmed trading standards officers have received 23 complaints about animals purchased from Ivy Leaf since July 1, 2015.
Of these, six are the subject of ongoing investigations; two were subsequently withdrawn; two were people seeking clarification on their consumer rights; two were historical in nature and could not be investigated; nine investigations were started, but could not be completed due to lack of information or evidence from the complainant and two were investigated but not considered to “merit formal enforcement”.
Michael Yeadon, Durham County Council’s health protection manager, said: “We have received a complaint relating to a dog purchased from the pet shop which operates out of Ivy Leaf Kennels, which we will be investigating.
“It would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment further on this particular case.”
Last year, Washington grandmother Lilian and Irvan Spence, whose puppy Red, inset, died Susan Callahar was left devastated after the cavalier King Charles spaniel she bought from Ivy Leaf died, also nine days after taking it home.
And Louise Young, 25, from Blyth, complained to the RSPCA after her puppy Bo fell ill, though thankfully he survived.
RSPCA inspectors made several visits to the kennels and owner Kevin Knox and have found no problems.
When approached for comment, Mr Knox said he was not aware of Red’s death and “couldn’t comment on something he didn’t know about”.
He added: “Trading standards have been out and they come to look for our licence every year. I have no further comment.” Under current licensing legislation, all pet shops trading with ini C County D Durhamh are required to renew their licence with the council every 12 months.
Mr Yeadon said: “When assessing compliance, we use criteria contained within national guidance which covers all those issues that are considered necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of animals.”