County Councils have a duty of care to the public. We need to be able to trust them. However,  in Monmouthshire this is now highly questionable. 

 

In August 2023, 11 loved, cared for, sanctuary dogs lost their lives, following what appears to have been months of bullying, and a campaign of hate against Lost Souls Sanctuary . The deaths of these poor dogs was shockingly at the hands of Monmouthshire County Council. A warrant was obtained, on very shaky grounds, and although the police and the RSPCA were present during the raid on the sanctuary, both organisations have denied any direct involvement in the decisions that were made on the day. Videos leading up to the execution of the warrant show the fabulous sanctuary, the paddocks for the dogs, and them playing happily. Every care was taken by the sanctuary owner.  Hydrotherapy,  regular vet checks, excellent quality food. Plus they were not out in public. The sanctuary was their forever home.

However, Monmouthshire County Council Animal  Licensing team alone decided how it was going to be. A behaviourist and two vets determined the fate of the dogs, placing red cards on the kennels of those to be killed.  According to the press release they decided 11 dogs needed to die . WHY ? There was no neglect,  no risk to people. 

We KNOW that the assessment process was rapid as there were 82 dogs on the site and only ONE behaviourist according to the press release. Normally in a situation like this ALL dogs would be removed from the site and taken to a place where a more detailed assessment could be done .

But MCC didn’t do that. 

They 'assessed' all the dogs on the site, there and then. Decided which ones to kill, there and then. We believe they had already decided before they arrived that they would be killing some dogs and they came prepared to do so, there were other options but they chose not to take them. These dogs died at the end of a catchpole, surrounded by strangers and devoid of the people who knew them best and could comfort them in their hour of need , and in front of the other dogs awaiting the same fate. This goes against euthanasia guidelines as set out by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dogs were not killed in a humane manner, they were catchpoled in their kennels, dragged into the runs, those that resisted were slammed to the floor and injected there and then. Bodies were left in the runs or yard, some with the needles still in their bodies. It was reported 2 dogs didn't die and had to be 'finished off'. 

All the time the owner of the sanctuary  was held in the house. People in attendance say that dogs could be heard screaming. 

We need to know about the GUIDELINES that MCC staff used to assess the dogs so we can understand how they made this decision. We need the seized dogs returned. These were taken,  some from the house, without copies of their veterinary records and necessary treatment. 

Please write NOW to MCC demanding a copy of the assessment guidelines used by the Animal Licensing Team that led them to believe they could make these decisions. Accountability and public trust are all part of being a local authority. So face up to that and give us the policies and procedures we’ve asked for.

Write to the chief executive Paul Matthews demanding that they release those publicly funded documents. We’ve sent FOI requests but now is the time for MCC to make public some of their policies and procedures. 

Email:
Paulmatthews@monmouthshire.gov.uk

and anyone else you feel may help to get justice for the dogs

The behaviourist responsible ,  still not only works for Monmouthshire County Council, but brags on social media about how proud he is of his team.  He insults other professionals on social media, and anyone who disagrees with him he ridicules. This employee posts publicly,  referring to Lost Souls Sanctuary Supporters as zombie trolls, amongst other names. We want him suspended  pending criminal investigation and his employment then terminated. The vets licences should be revoked by the Royal Veterinary College.

The behaviourist was once investigated by the RSPCA for his cruel methods of dog training on the BBCs One Show. He consistently criticises and mocks others and uses inflammatory and childish language publicly.

Monmouthshire County Council appears to have given him carte blanch and have done nothing to reign in his unprofessional behaviour, nor address this barbaric incident.

The Sanctuary vet wasn't present nor consulted. The dogs bodies were not made available for immediate post mortem.  This in itself denies the sanctuary owner preparation of a defence which based upon the Powys Sheep Case should deem the entire unfounded case against the sanctuary without basis. 

Dogs were seized without reason. They must be returned.  

Where are the bodies of the dogs killed?

Please sign this petition and share it. These dogs were executed . It was premeditated,  inhumane and unnecessary. Make Monmouthshire County Council take responsibility and let the dogs voices be heard. 

 A court case is in the pipeline,  its imminent.  Please help us. Don't let the seized dogs die in overcrowded shelters.  They were in the Sanctuary for life. If you feel able to help there is a just giving page to help with legal costs. 

Please sign and share this today. Don't let this happen again.