A Texas family has accused a veterinary clinic of secretly keeping their dog alive for blood transfusions instead of euthanizing the sick pet six months ago, NBC News reported.
The family was shocked to discover last week that their 5-year-old Leonberger had not been put down by a popular Fort Worth veterinary.
An investigation has been started by Fort Worth police, the city of Fort Worth and state investigators.
Jamie and Marian Harris said they took their dog, named Sid, to the vet to be treated for a minor anal gland issue.
"After undergoing treatment, the family claims Sid had trouble walking and the veterinarian told them he had a bad spine condition that would only worsen," according to NBC News. "Court documents said the family was told the best option was to put him to sleep."
After goodbyes were said by the couple and their son, the clinic was allowed to bury Sid on the vet's farm.
However, a veterinarian technician, Mary Brewer, contacted the Harrises six months later informing the unfortunate circumstances of their dog.
She claimed that Sid was being kept in a cage most of the day, surrounded by his urine and feces. He was also being used for blood transfusions.
"I told her, 'He's still here,' and she's like, 'Can he walk?' and I said, 'Yeah, he's here waiting on you. If you came today, he'd walk out and jump in your car,'" said Brewer.
"It was like getting punched in the stomach and then some," said Marian Harris. "This has rocked our world. My kids are like, 'How does somebody do this?' How does this happen?"
The couple rushed to the clinic and brought Sid back home, they said.
Neither the veterinarian nor anyone from the clinic responded to NBC DFW's request for comment. Dr. Lou Tierce told the Star-Telegram the accusations against him are "all a bunch of hooey."
However, it is being determined whether any criminal animal abuse charges will be filed against the veterinary clinic.
