Dogsey

A DOG owner who has accused vets of “butchering” her British bulldog says she has been dropped from the practice for contacting the Courier.

Victoria Van-Beck, 39, became “hysterical” when she saw her pet Bobbe after he had undergone facial surgery at Links Veterinary Practice, Haddington.

But she was told the surgery was exactly what she had agreed to – and says the practice is demanding she pay for the treatment.

Ms Van-Beck insists she was unprepared for the extent of the surgery, which she claimed went further than had been explained to her prior to the operation.
Bobbe, a two-year-old stud bulldog who cost Ms Van-Beck £3,000, was suffering from painful skin irritation, which can be a common problem in the breed.

Ms Van-Beck, of Hawthornbank Place, Haddington, says she understood the facial surgery would remove Bobbe’s affected skin and widen his nasal passages to help him breathe better.

But she said when she saw him after surgery she was distraught.

She said: “I am not a veterinary expert but when the procedure was explained to me I was told he would still look like Bobbe when it was finished.

“I was shocked when I saw him, and admit I became distraught and raised my voice. Even now after the stitches have been removed he is scarred for life and looks completely different. I was hysterical. It was not what I agreed to.”

Ms Van-Beck said when she went to collect Bobbe from the vets on Thursday, October 9, she paid the £350 bill before seeing him.

But after seeing his face and demanding to see the vet, she claims she was refunded payment.

She said: “I paid as soon as I walked in the door, but when I saw him I had to lean against the wall I was so shocked.

“I said: ‘You’ve butchered my dog.’

“I demanded to see the surgeon who had carried out the work and waited until he came to the practice from his home.

“He insisted the procedure was what was agreed but they refunded my money.”

Bobbe’s stitches are now out but Ms Van-Beck claims he has been left permanently scarred and will never be able to be used as a stud dog.

She said: “My dogs are my pets first and foremost but we had thought about Bobbe as a stud dog, he was so good looking and has a great temperament. Now it is impossible.

“No one will look at him, his face is lopsided, he doesn’t even look like a British bulldog.”

Ms Van-Beck contacted the Courier the day after Bobbe’s surgery and initial inquiries at Links Vet suggested she had not been refunded.

She said she received a letter on Monday this week from Links informing her that they have withdrawn their veterinary services for Bobbe and her three other British bulldogs – and are demanding she pay back the money which they refunded into her bank account.

Veterinary surgeon Tom Brown, from Links Vet, said: “We cannot discuss individual cases due to us taking client confidentiality very seriously.

“However, any procedure we advise or undertake is conducted solely with the best interests of the patient at heart and, if any client feels that they have concerns in any way, I would encourage them to put them in writing to the practice.”