Woman claims dog was left to suffer by vet clinic

A Wanganui woman is disappointed at what she claims was a lack of action by a local vet clinic, leading to unnecessary suffering for an injured dog. The clinic has defended itself, saying staff were ready and able to help but no one would bring the animal inside for treatment.

The College Estate woman, who did not want to be named, said staff at the Heads Rd Veterinary Clinic failed to attend the scene and treat the dog, which had been struck by a car on the corner of Carlton Ave and Heads Rd.

"How could they ignore it? The dog suffered so unnecessarily. We just wanted them to do the humane thing, and were so annoyed that they couldn't do that just to put it out of its misery."

The woman said she heard a dog yelping as she was leaving work on July 23. A fellow bystander helped the dog from the road and contacted the nearby vet clinic to ask for assistance but was told to call animal control. The dog died of its injuries before a dog ranger arrived about 30 minutes later. "We were all waiting, hoping a vet would come and then instead we had to search for the number to call animal control. It was just so upsetting for all of us seeing the dog in so much distress."

Animal Control dog ranger Bernie Compton attended the incident and said while Heads Rd vets were contacted there was no one available to attend. "They did not refuse to treat the dog and would have helped if the dog had been brought to them."

Mr Compton said usually it was Animal Control that responded if there is a car accident involving a dog. Heads Rd Veterinary Clinic veterinary nurse and receptionist Melissa Crothers said she informed the bystander that while there were vets available none were able to leave the clinic. "If they could have got the dog here we could have treated the dog."

There was no direct number for Animal Control that she could give, but she told the man to call her back if there were problems.