Shock as pets shot by farmer (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Shock as pets shot by farmer

8:37am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News

A KIDDERMINSTER businesswoman has been left “devastated” after her two dogs were shot dead by a farmer when they fled from kennels while she was on holiday.

June Roden, owner of Carters Furniture Store, in Tram Street, put her pets one-year-o ld Millie and three-year-old Benson into Brookend Boarding Kennels in Leigh Sinton, near Malvern, but the dogs managed to escape while playing in an exercise field.

They were then killed by a farmer, who shot them in the chest to protect his livestock, Mrs Roden told The Shuttle.

She had been on holiday with her husband Chris in Spain when she received a heartbreaking call from kenne l staff inform ing her of the dogs’ death.

“We’re just devastated and we couldn’t believe it,” she said. “They were just gorgeous dogs and a big part of our home life.”

She added the pets had not been discovered missing by kennel staff until 20 minutes after they had escaped, prompt ing an invest igat ion by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), which is responsible for dog wardens and licensing.

Les Childs, owner of the kennels, declined to comment when contacted by The Shuttle.

“Millie would not stray from Benson,” Mrs Roden said. “They were devoted to each other. I have never seen Benson jump a farm gate so how could they both escape from a secure field and how could they both wander off before they were missed?

“He [the owner of the kennels] asked me if my dogs were OK off the lead. I told him yes and that I always walked my dogs off the lead.”

Mrs Roden said in a previous stay at Brookend Kennels, it was discovered that Millie could jump the gate in the exercise field but she came straight back when called.

She added: “I was concerned but knew, as long as they accompanied the dogs, they would not run off.”

Andy Ferguson, WRS central operations manager said: “Worcestershire Regulatory Services is investigating the events that led up to the shooting.

“Once the facts have been established we will decide what action, if any, should be taken.”

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said there would not be an investigation into the farmer’s actions.