According to the rescue center’s founder, a woman who owned a dog asked a vet to put her pet down “because it was barking at people.” Lucy Holmes, who runs Lucies Animal Rescue, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, received a phone call from this woman asking if she could take in her two-year-old dog Marcus. Unfortunately, Lucy’s shelter was already full. It cannot accommodate any animals.
Two hours later Lucy Holmes received another call from a vet informing her that the owner had requested Marcus be euthanized due to his barking behaviour. But the vet refused to respond to this request.
Expressing her disgust at the situation, Mrs Holmes said she was unable to sleep because of her anger. She strongly believes that there is no reason to euthanize Marcus and instead believes that he just needs time and proper training.
Despite having nine dogs and thirty-four kittens in need of new homes, Mrs Holmes and her engineer husband decided to step in and offer Marcus a place in their home.
In messages shared with the BBC, the owner explained to Ms Holmes that she wanted to bring Marcus home because he barked at cyclists, cars and other dogs.
“She stated that she had not personally trained the dog. She stated that it had been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
When Mrs. Holmes informed her that the rooms were currently occupied but assured her that the room was now available, she politely inquired: “Can you tell me when that will be?”
Before Ms. Holmes could respond, a call came in from a veterinary clinic reporting a “lady had just arrived with the intention of euthanizing her dog.”
“I asked the vets if by any chance the dogs name was Marcus?” Indeed it was.
Despite the vets’ refusal, Mrs Holmes expressed her concern for Marcus and immediately contacted his owner and offered to take him in.
Ms Holmes stressed that she had no intention of discouraging people from seeking help, but urged them to “think” and “do research” before getting a pet.
“You need to invest time in research and allow the dogs time to adapt,” she advised.
Just like you wouldn’t expect a wave of joy from a toddler on their day at daycare.
The BBC contacted veterinarians who confirmed that Marcus had indeed been taken into the care of a rescue organisation. They did not provide any information.
The BBC was unable to contact the owner.
