More customers complaint about Copwell Kennels

May 30 2010 by Laura Caroe, Sunday Sun

MORE families have come forward with claims about their dogs after The Sunday Sun revealed a kennel was being investigated by trading standards.

Twenty-five people from across the North have so far rang our newsdesk with complaints after we told of problems surrounding pooches bought from breeders Darran and Heather Green.

People have also alerted council chiefs as the puppies bought from Copwell Kennels suffered from illnesses when they got home.

Little Emma Robson was devastated after her puppy died from deadly dog virus Parvovirus within a week of her bringing the black Labrador home.

Parvovirus is a highly infectious virus passed in dog faeces which can cause severe vomiting. Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases.

It has an incubation period of up to 10 days, and during an outbreak vets advise that dogs are kept away from communal areas and recommend that bedding is cleaned to prevent any further spread.

The pup was bought as a birthday present for the nine-year-old, but she was heartbroken when Callie was struck down by the fatal infection.

Mum-of-three Ann said that their happiness soon turned to tears after they took the dog home in April.

She said: “Callie was coughing when we were at the kennels but Heather Green said it was because she had just been given a worming tablet. By the next day the vet diagnosed kennel cough and a serious chest infection.

“We bought Callie for our nine-year-old daughter but she died five days after. Emma is absolutely devastated as she had waited for five years for a puppy.

“It has been an awful time. Emma has framed a photograph of her dog, I can’t believe she was put through this type of heartache. She is absolutely hysterical every time we mention Callie.”

Ann was astounded by the kennel owner’s reaction when she rang about Callie’s death. She said: “They told us that we had given the virus to Callie, but we hadn’t even let her out of the house.

“They acted like it was a joke. I don’t understand how people can be so cruel. However, we were offered a replacement pet.”

The 56-year-old would like to hear from owners who had puppies from the same litter.

Ann, who lives in Bridge End, Stamfordham, Northumberland, said: “This shouldn’t be happening and should be stopped.”

Company director Steve Gristwood also contacted The Sunday Sun after his puppy needed thousands of pounds worth of surgery.

The dad-of-three bought chocolate Labrador Coco for his son James for Christmas in 2007 but was shocked to find she had an ear infection, couldn’t digest her food and suffered from hip dysplasia.

The 47-year-old, from Crook, County Durham, said: “I have never received any paperwork for Coco even though I was assured she was Kennel Club registered and vaccinated. We got a far from healthy dog.

“The kennels should have known about her hips. When I told them about it they said to bring her back and get a refund, but by that stage she had become part of the family.”

Steve said that he paid more than £650 for X-rays and a hip operation, while the insurance paid around £5,000.

“We were worried about what would happen to Coco if we took her back as there was a suggestion she would be put to sleep. Although she wasn’t bought to breed off I’m annoyed,” he added.

“Now Coco is going to have to have another hip operation.”