A newspaper article today puts Wood Green Animal Shelter in a very difficult position with some awkward questions to answer. But equally, why didn't the woman's family take responsibility for the dog in the first place?

Wonder how old he was. If he was an older dog (which sounds likely), it would have been difficult to rehome him and he probably would not have been happy living the rest of his life in kennels. Such a pity the average person does not know about breed rescue, as it would have been far better finding him a foster home in a normal home and then maybe a proper home via breed rescue.

He was only 8yrs old, there should have been a period of rehab first, so very sad

That's terrible then -8 is nothing.

To many adopters, 8 is ideal; prime of life but not overly energetic.

I couldn't believe this, its so sad.

The shelter vet claimed the dog was 'bloated' etc. - surely this could have been caused by suddenly being fed by the police officer after no food for several days ?      Doesn't sound to me as if the dog was too bad as the officer then played with him

These people should give animals time to recover from the shock of their experience before assessing them !  Many animals shut down at least a little when in shock and out of their comfort zone - you'd think a vet would be aware of this.

The shelter vet claimed the dog was 'bloated' etc. - surely this could have been caused by suddenly being fed by the police officer after no food for several days ?

Ditto,

Of course he would have bloated out after 5 days with no food or water, he was probably very uncomfortable afterwards too, he should have been offered little and often, it's like being on hunger strike a bowl of water alone would have been a problem for the stomach....... but it would have passed. Poor dog, so loyal and going without for so long.

So, so sad.......... when you see the utter disgrace some dogs are brought in looking like, this dog could easily have been cared for by a loving new owner. I agree for a GR 8 years is nothing, I wonder how much an over population of rescue dogs played a part in the vets  decision not to try harder for this poor dog?

RIP Henry hope they are together now. So sad , I really dont understand the vet who made this descion. one question though ? that I wonder is was he bloated or did he have bloat and the vet decided that this was the best outcome. We are reading a newspaper report not a vet report

I find it difficult to believe that this dog would have seen the vet without it being known what had happened, it's a sad story and people talk - it's human nature.   Don't know how this vet can sleep at night, I really don't :-(

My guess is that the shelter was full and there were much younger dogs looking for homes, ones without arthritis :-(

Years ago, back in the 80s, there was a huge stink when a young Burmese cat was found and taken to breed rescue.  The breed rescue didn't have space that day but as a cat was being collected 2 days later they knew there would be space.  It was arranged that the cat would be housed by a well known animal charity for the 2 days and bed and board was paid in advance.  When breed rescue went to collect the cat as arranged it had been PTS!   They claimed the vet had pronounced the cat too thin to save!  This was after breed rescue had assessed the cat and found it healthy (young Burmese do look quite slim but weigh heavy)  It transpired that the owner had been found and then had to learn that their cat had been PTS

An official warning went out to all breed club members against trusting  animal welfare charities other than breed rescue.

when you see the utter disgrace some dogs are brought in looking like, this dog could easily have been cared for by a loving new owner.

Quite,   However, had the animal been picturesquely starved and all its bones showing, it would have been in all the papers and much would have been made of how they were going to save it -  nothing to do with publicity bringing in more donations of course ;-)

. one question though ? that I wonder is was he bloated or did he have bloat and the vet decided that this was the best outcome. We are reading a newspaper report not a vet report

Hmmm  my friend's Cocker was distressed and his tummy very uncomfortable.  Worrying about bloat she took him to the vets 1am sunday morning.   The vet gave metacam and declared the dog probably had a slipped disc or had damaged his back and would need an operation.  No palpation of the abdomen and no stethoscope on it either, despite my friend saying she was worried about bloat.    6 hours later a large amount of wind and poo was passed and the dog was fine.

It's possible that this poor Retriever's discomfort was put down to arthritis as it was already on his notes.

Luckily for your friend the vets mis diagnosis didnt kill him if it had been bloat. Still a very concerning out come for all concerned

They've changed vets, too often the vets at that surgery were omitting the vital, complete and obvious checks :-(    

so would I thats not good to put it mildly