Woman calls for change after surrendering injured puppy ‘under false pretenses’

A Victoria couple is fighting to get their puppy back after they say they were coerced into surrendering him "under false pretenses."

Lynn and Doug Macfarlane told NowMedia that on April 25, 2021, their puppy Murphy was injured after getting tangled in her feet, resulting in a fall.

Lynn said that he seemed to be okay, but to be safe she and her husband took him to the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital. Unfortunately, the vet told them that Murphy was not okay and would need emergency surgery.

Lynn said they were told the cost of treatment would be $10,000 to $20,000, which was "way beyond their means." The couple planned on going to set up pet insurance and get Murphy his shots at their next vet appointment, which would have been a week ago.

They were given the option to either pay for the costs, put the dog down, or surrender Murphy to a donor.

The puppy was put in the care of the Victoria Humane Society (VHS), however, Lynn said that two days later, she found out that her puppy did not get the surgery. Then, she saw Murphy on the VHS’s Facebook page, which said that the puppy was doing great, with no complications and was now in a foster home.

The Macfarlane's have a meeting with the animal hospital this week in regards to the situation, and says that something needs to change within the veterinary industry.

“I’ve gone from being sad and guilty to angry,” Lynn said. "I feel Murphy has been taken from me, as we surrendered him under false pretenses."

“We have a letter of complaint ready to send the College to review this case. We’ve consulted with vets, who agree that procedures and protocols were not followed by the hospital,” she added.

Penny Stone, Executive Director of the VHS, says that Murphy’s owners were put in a horrible position, but that the animal hospital went above and beyond to save the puppy.

Stone explained that people are getting “stuck” on the fact the dog didn’t have the surgery, but says the owners only paid for blood work and x-rays, not diagnostics.

Lynn has said that they paid for extensive tests amounting to $1,300.

She said that even though the dog did not have the surgery, costs for his care still amounted to upwards of $10,000.

The VHS has provided NowMedia with the bills showing various costs associated with the puppy's treatment, as well medical records and x-rays showing rib fractures, pleural effusion and other medical issues that were addressed.

Stone said that the head of the vet association reviewed the file and determined that there was no deception and the veterinary team took the proper actions.

“There was nothing that could have been changed in Murphy’s situation,” she added.

Now, the humane society is taking legal and/or criminal action due to threats Stone says that they have received.

Meanwhile, the College of Veterinarians of BC (CVBC) told NowMedia that, at the request of the owner, material was reviewed to determine whether or not there was negligence involved.

"Based on a brief review of the medical records provided to me, I believe that the puppy received adequate care and appropriate informed consent was documented," said an registrar with the CVBC.

They added that this was neither a complaint investigation, nor a complete review, and that the CVBC does not have jurisdiction over ownership issues.

"We have no jurisdiction over animal shelters and rescue operations unless they are providing veterinary services as defined in the Veterinarians Act," the CVBC said.