Doberman puppy discovered on the roadside after a hit-and-run, with suspected illegal ear cropping and tail docking, has found a loving forever home
On a busy Friday evening in Pinner, north-west London, local vet Dr Reena Patel took a call from a distressed member of the public who had discovered a puppy that had been the victim of a hit-and-run incident. The Doberman, named Angus, was approximately six months old when he was found on the roadside, in shock and with a fractured leg.
Upon receiving the call and recognising that urgent assistance was needed, the Medivet Pinner clinic immediately dispatched its nursing team in an ambulance to retrieve Angus. Working well into the night, Dr Reena and her dedicated team of nurses had to move swiftly to save the stricken pup.
The team collaborated urgently with a surgeon over the weekend to carry out Angus’ operation, mending his injured leg. Dr Reena Patel BSc (Hons) BVSc PgC (SAS) GP Cert (DI) MRCVS, Co-owner and Partner at Medivet Pinner, commented: “My team was at the surgery until late into the Friday evening when Angus was first admitted.
“It didn’t cross anyone’s mind that they needed to go; we were here for Angus. Our network of vets ensured that we could find Angus the right surgeons who could help him the most.”
Following a successful procedure to stabilise his leg, Angus was fitted with a cast to ensure the fracture healed properly and remained under the care of the team for a fortnight to keep a close eye on his recovery. Upon eventually making contact with Angus’ owners, the team were informed that they were sadly unable to continue caring for him.
Dr Reena recognised that the puppy was deserving of a warm and nurturing home. Having looked into various re-homing possibilities for Angus, Dr Reena introduced him to Mark, the father of one of the nurses, and the pair immediately hit it off, reports the Mirror.
Mark, Angus’ new owner, said: “When we first met Angus, he bounded into the room and headed straight for my wife, and then came over to me. That was it, for us. Job done.”
He added: “When we first saw Angus, we noticed his cropped ears and docked tail. The Medivet team explained that these procedures are illegal in the UK and often linked to serious welfare concerns, as they cause unnecessary pain and distress.
“It’s upsetting to think about what he may have been through, but absolutely none of this changed how we felt about him – within seconds we knew he was coming home with us. Angus is so loved for who he is, but his experiences are a reminder of why these practices should never happen.”
Ear cropping is banned in England and Wales under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) states: “It’s a painful process where a dog’s outer ears are removed altogether or are surgically altered, with the tips or huge sections of the outer ear being cut off”.
Under UK law, tail docking is regarded as a form of mutilation. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) states: “The practice is illegal in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; however, there are some exemptions, such as removal of the tail by a vet for medical reasons or for certain breeds of working dogs.”
Now eight months old, Angus is progressing well following his surgery and continues to bring joy to Mark and his family each and every day. Having swiftly become an integral part of the household, Angus is cherished by Mark, Dawn and their grandchildren alike. As he continues to recuperate from his injuries, he relishes leisurely strolls around the local park and snuggling up in his new home.
Dr Reena said: “Watching Angus go through the entire journey, from being so unwell to now living with a family that completely adore him. That’s a real love story, isn’t it?”
Mark said: “Angus has the most brilliant temperament; he’s a wonderful dog. He loves people. When I retire over the next few years, I’m looking forward to having him as a companion. Everyone at Medivet Pinner adores Angus, and I can’t praise them enough. They’ve been brilliant and you couldn’t ask for a better vet.”
A Medivet and Partners spokesperson said: “The clinic has more than 350 First Opinion clinics in the UK, and 25 different 24-hour emergency veterinary surgeries in the UK, ready to not only help with urgent treatment, but also accurately advise on the severity of a problem to determine the level of care needed.”
