Advice needed on adopted puppy who died within 1 day of being left with us.

GGM_2

We adopted a 6 month approx dog from abroad (dog rehomer chartiable status in Spain)  arrangments were made to view dog and also a home check.

We were interested in two dogs from same rehomer so went to view first dog and had another dog still to see. The home check was carried out and the lady who came had bought the 2nd dog we had shown interest in with her.

When this dog turned up he was being sick and the lady explained the dog was travel sick (She explained the dog had been traveling for a few days and the car journey to my home was also a long 2 hour drive)

Anyway we fell in love with this 2nd dog so asked if we could adopt her instead. We were surpised but the lady said we could have the dog straight away.

She assured us the dog was just travel sick and had mentioned the dog was improving from the flight a few days before.and with all the other things the poor dog had endured we took it on face value as we had no reason to disbelive her.

Later that evening the dog was showing no signs of improvment so contacted the lady who advised us and assured us dog would improve in the next couple of days. The dog continued to be unwell and sick but we had been assured it was normal to be like this after travel. The dog seemed to settle and I stayed up with her till about 3am she was still being sick but seemed OK otherwise. She finally settled  but sadly not a long time later about 4/5am in the morning the dog started fitting and was limp lying in her diarrhea which was full of dark blood... we rushed to vet who examined and reported it was too serious and only sensible action was to PTS to save more suffering.

Died of a serious Virus infection I was told. The dog did have a pet passport with vaccinations but I was told it can still happen to a young dog

My problem starts with the lady who upon being informed of all of this started to accuse me of poisoning the dog then I had killed her dog and then to tell me it is the vets fault saying they always put dogs down from abroad instead of doing something.

As you can amagine I was set back by this tone and was very cross. Its been a few days since this happened and we are getting the cold shounder

Straight away on the defence sets alarm bells ringing and I was hoping for any advice on what I should do?

 Sorry for long post but would appreciate any help

elsien

What advice are you looking for?
I would recommend re-homing from this country instead as we have more than enough unwanted dogs to go around without looking further afield although that wouldn't be particularly helpful and I suspect isn't the advice you are looking for. 

Are you looking for compensation or are you looking to try to make sure this doesn't happen again?

Does the organisation have a base in the UK at all? Someone else you can to go other than this woman?
Some of these places are one person bands, pretty much, who make up their own rules and do as they please.

onwards&upwards

Sounds like a poor operation, you could try reporting this woman for failing to provide proper veterinary care for the dog, as I bet none of the others get any either. 

I agree with the poster above though, there is no shortage of dogs needing homes in the UK, why put one through a long journey unnecessarily? 

GGM_2

I would agree with you and that was our preferred option but we have been trying for months without success as soon as we applied for a dog it went on reserve and that's why we considered abroad.

To watch a dog die in front of you and know there is nothing you can do despite trying is devastating. We don't want others to suffer this fate from this so called charity.

Any advice would be grateful

We are under no illusion we will get any form of redress but want to try and hold this person accountable for their actions.

onwards&upwards

It must have been horrific, and I know full well how quickly you can fall in love with a dog.
This is the legislation that you would be reporting the charity under:
https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/endcruelty/changingthelaw/whatwechanged/animalwelfareact
Unfortunately I think your chances of any success or changes are probably slim, but it has to be worth a try. 

For the future, at places like Battersea you can just turn up and choose a dog there and then. 

thorsoak

It would appear that you have been the unlucky person who has fallen foul of yet another foreign dog rescue "charity".   I firmly believe that you deliberately had a sick puppy foisted upon you - if it had been sick on the journey into this country, it should have been seen by a vet within 24 hours and quarantined.   Pet passports have been unscrupulously forged and the "rescues" from Ireland and Europe are always full of breeders - who are then paid by the so-called Rescue charities and thereby run successful businesses.    All I can suggest is that you talk to your local Trading Standards office - and possibly the Trading Standards office near where the charity is based in the UK.    Battersea does not let you go, look at a dog and take it away with you now - you are subject to the same checks and balances as with other Rescues .

sheramber

 Your could try the RSPCA if you have name and address of the person in the UK.  Why would you transport a dog that wa already suffering from 'travel' sickness.
RSPCA will not have any resource against the Spanish charity.
 If you name them someone may be able to find out more information.
It would also serve as a warning to others tempted to go along the same route.

elsien

I know some people involved in Spanish rescues. Do you have a name and I can try to find out more about them if you wish? 

hb2

OP, this must have been so distressing - for you and the puppy   I can't add any useful advice to that which you have already been given, but didn't want to 'read and run'.

mtbbuxton

Poor puppy and poor you, it must be so upsetting   Please check with the Vet if this was Parvovirus, because if so, it can lie dormant in the environment for several months and it may be advisable to wait before adopting again. 

There are good and bad rescues both here and overseas and you've sadly been very unlucky.