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RSPCA loss after pet is put down RSPCA loss after pet is put down
(about 2 hours later)
The RSPCA has lost out on part of a£400,000 legacy after a pet dog was put down.The RSPCA has lost out on part of a£400,000 legacy after a pet dog was put down.
Blackie's owner Claude Atack, 80, from Caernarfon, Gwynedd, had specified that any charity which found his pet a home would get a large part of his estate.Blackie's owner Claude Atack, 80, from Caernarfon, Gwynedd, had specified that any charity which found his pet a home would get a large part of his estate.
Solicitor Dewi Pritchard Jones thought the dog was in good health and was shocked he had been put down.Solicitor Dewi Pritchard Jones thought the dog was in good health and was shocked he had been put down.
But the RSPCA said Blackie was found to suffer from numerous health problems, and was put down on humane grounds.But the RSPCA said Blackie was found to suffer from numerous health problems, and was put down on humane grounds.
Mr Atack was found collapsed at his home by concerned neighbours when they realised they had not seen him walking sheepdog Blackie on 29 January.Mr Atack was found collapsed at his home by concerned neighbours when they realised they had not seen him walking sheepdog Blackie on 29 January.
'Safe''Safe'
"He walked Blackie four times a day, and he lived for the dog," said Mr Pritchard Jones."He walked Blackie four times a day, and he lived for the dog," said Mr Pritchard Jones.
Mr Atack died in hospital on 1 February.Mr Atack died in hospital on 1 February.
A neighbour initially looked after Blackie, then he was handed over to the RSPCA.A neighbour initially looked after Blackie, then he was handed over to the RSPCA.
"I wasn't concerned because their leaflets state that they do not put animals down without good reason. I thought he was safe," said the solicitor."I wasn't concerned because their leaflets state that they do not put animals down without good reason. I thought he was safe," said the solicitor.
He added that Mr Atack had stated in his will that his estate should be shared between different charities, but with no less than one fifth going to an animal charity.He added that Mr Atack had stated in his will that his estate should be shared between different charities, but with no less than one fifth going to an animal charity.
I am angry about what happened Dewi Pritchard Jones, solicitorI am angry about what happened Dewi Pritchard Jones, solicitor
But verbally he had told his solicitor that more of his estate should be given to any charity which found Blackie a new home.But verbally he had told his solicitor that more of his estate should be given to any charity which found Blackie a new home.
He had stipulated that he could be "especially generous" to any charity which found his dog a home.He had stipulated that he could be "especially generous" to any charity which found his dog a home.
Mr Pritchard Jones said that a couple, who do not wish to be named but who knew Mr Atack, came forward to offer Blackie a home on 8 February.Mr Pritchard Jones said that a couple, who do not wish to be named but who knew Mr Atack, came forward to offer Blackie a home on 8 February.
They traced him to an RSPCA kennel at Shrewsbury, but were told he had already been put down on the day he was handed in.They traced him to an RSPCA kennel at Shrewsbury, but were told he had already been put down on the day he was handed in.
However the RSPCA said Blackie went to them on 2 February, and was only put to sleep on 8 February, after he was assessed for six days.
"They said it was because he was in poor health, but I know his health was good," said Mr Pritchard Jones."They said it was because he was in poor health, but I know his health was good," said Mr Pritchard Jones.
"The old gentleman thought the world of him and at any sign of illness he would be whipped off to the vet," he said."The old gentleman thought the world of him and at any sign of illness he would be whipped off to the vet," he said.
Other charitiesOther charities
"The vet said he (Blackie) had cataracts and was overweight, as a dog which is pampered tends to be," he added."The vet said he (Blackie) had cataracts and was overweight, as a dog which is pampered tends to be," he added.
The incident would have broken Mr Atack's heart, he said.The incident would have broken Mr Atack's heart, he said.
"He lived by himself, it was just him and the dog," he added."He lived by himself, it was just him and the dog," he added.
The solicitor added that the money - in excess of £400,000 - would be shared between other charities.The solicitor added that the money - in excess of £400,000 - would be shared between other charities.
"I am angry about what happened, because I have a dog which is 15 years old, and you can't put them down just because they are old," he said."I am angry about what happened, because I have a dog which is 15 years old, and you can't put them down just because they are old," he said.
"I think Blackie would have made someone elderly a lovely companion, as he was used to being around an older person, and they often don't want the hassle of getting a puppy," he added."I think Blackie would have made someone elderly a lovely companion, as he was used to being around an older person, and they often don't want the hassle of getting a puppy," he added.
The RSPCA said all animals that go into RSPCA care go through an assessment period which includes a general health check by a vet.The RSPCA said all animals that go into RSPCA care go through an assessment period which includes a general health check by a vet.
"Blackie had numerous health problems including a severe heart murmur and the vet recommended he was put to sleep on humane grounds," said a spokesperson."Blackie had numerous health problems including a severe heart murmur and the vet recommended he was put to sleep on humane grounds," said a spokesperson.
"The RSPCA has a strong reputation of re-homing elderly animals and the very difficult decision regarding Blackie was purely based on welfare grounds and would not have altered had the RSPCA known about his deceased owner's will.""The RSPCA has a strong reputation of re-homing elderly animals and the very difficult decision regarding Blackie was purely based on welfare grounds and would not have altered had the RSPCA known about his deceased owner's will."