Family claims vet kept their pug after recommending euthanasia

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 23:51 · Archive

A Georgia family claims Senoia Animal Hospital told them to put down their four-year-old pug Cha Cha, but a worker took her home instead.

A Georgia family claims they were told their four-year-old black pug, Cha Cha, had organ failure caused by diabetic ketoacidosis and needed to be euthanized. Following the recommendation from Senoia Animal Hospital in Coweta County, about 40 miles south of Atlanta, the family paid to have Cha Cha put down on 4 March.

In September, owner Rebecca Belote said she was scrolling Facebook when she spotted a photograph of Cha Cha posted by a former hospital employee. Belote claimed the picture showed the pug alive and well. A former worker allegedly told Belote that a female staff member had taken Cha Cha home instead of having her euthanized.

Belote said the worker's husband later confirmed to her that his wife had kept Cha Cha for months and that the pug was in good health. Belote told the family's story to WSB-TV, and said she contacted the hospital to ask about what had happened. According to Belote, the hospital denied the allegations and said it had a lawyer and would not comment further.

All three outlets report that Belote alleged the hospital subsequently put Cha Cha down, with Belote claiming this was to cover up what had happened. The hospital has not responded to requests for comment. Belote said the incident was particularly difficult for her 17-year-old son, who was close to Cha Cha and wore matching clothes with the dog. Belote told WSB-TV she has filed a complaint with the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

How it is being reported

• Georgia dog lovers paid to put sick pup down, then found him alive and well months later — what came next was even worseA Georgia family who paid a veterinary clinic to put their beloved Pug down found out months later on Facebook that a worker instead took the dog home and he appeared to be thriving.New York Post · 27 Oct, 20:08
• A vet said a family’s beloved ‘Cha Cha’ had to be euthanized. Then they spotted pug living with worker months laterPet owner spotted a photo of their pug on social mediaIndependent World · 27 Oct, 17:19
• Animal hospital told family their pet pug had to be put down... then worker took the dog home and kept her, they claimGeorgia mother Rebecca Belote said her family's four-year-old black pug, Cha Cha, became intensely sick in March and was taken to the animal hospital, where euthanasia was recommended.Daily Mail · 27 Oct, 15:06

In this story: Rebecca Belote · Cha Cha · Senoia Animal Hospital · Georgia · Coweta County

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log