Short form: a family brought an ailing, pregnant dog to the vet. Vet determined that the dog needed a C-section, which would cost £1,240. The family could not afford that. The vet would not allow the family to take the dog to seek cheaper treatment, and instead only offered the option of euthenasia, for the low, low price of £90. Dog and the unborn pups was put down.
Money quote: “Euthanasia may be offered on economic grounds if no form of financial assistance can be found.”
Now, I understand that medical treatment costs money. But I’ve also watched a number of episodes of “Animal Cops.” Perhaps the law is different in Britain than in the US, but in the US if you have an ailing animal and cannot afford the treatment, you can sign away your rights to the critter and the local Humane Society will take ownership, provide treatment, and then sell/adopt the critter to someone else. Sure, it sucks you’d have to give up your pet python “Cuddles” or your Chihuahua “Cerberus,” but isn’t that better than putting it down?
I’m betting the story is missing a few details.
2 Responses to “Death Panels: Brit Vet Style”
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“The vet would not allow the family to take the dog to seek cheaper treatment,”
…I think that’s the part that bothers me the most.
Nope, either you pay whatever I dictate or let me kill your dog.
Thanks, have a nice day.
GAH.
I’m with Nick, that smells of extortion. But knowing how news reporting goes that could be an inaccurate picture.