Fenland refuge owner fears "great sling out" of old dogs over Christmas

THE owner of a Fenland refuge fears a great sling out of once pampered pooches because they are old, after rescuing three dogs in three weeks. Kay Mitchell says she has taken in a 14-year-old Labrador cross, a 15-and-a-half-year-old Collie cross and a 1

THE owner of a Fenland refuge fears "a great sling out" of once pampered pooches because they are old, after rescuing three dogs in three weeks.

Kay Mitchell says she has taken in a 14-year-old Labrador cross, a 15-and-a-half-year-old Collie cross and a 16-year-old Yorkshire Terrier that were abandoned across Fenland.

She added that this 10-year-old Collie-like dog - found abandoned along Wimblington Road in Manea three months ago - was also put to sleep to end its suffering.

Miss Mitchell, who runs Tara's Refuge in Manea, said: "I thought we were a nation of animal lovers.

"You don't throw grandma out when she gets old and dirty, so why do you do it to animals?

"Christmas is coming and I fear it's going to be the great sling out. It's all getting out of hand."

Miss Mitchell rehomes dogs that are looked after at veterinary practices and dog kennels for long periods.

She said of her latest dogs: "The Yorkshire Terrier was looked after at a veterinary practice and they traced the owner who said she would collect the dog but never did. He was going to be put to sleep if I didn't offer it a home.

"The Collie was flea-ridden and the RSPCA apparently told the owner to take it to a vet, but it ended up in the dog pound.

"The owner of the Labrador has never been traced though and, for all I know, they could be looking for it.