01/12/2019
https://www.facebook.com/104476307702355/posts/105327564283896?d=n&sfns=mo
Mark and I would like to set the record straight. After seeking advice, training & support it was decided that we had done as much as we could to help our first resident dog get on with Benji. It wasn’t working and behaviours were deteriorating. We then went back to Cyprus Dog Rescue, who we trusted and asked for help and they agreed they knew we had tried extremely hard and they wholeheartedly recommended D4R who they are affiliated with. They assured us this was the best place to rehome Benji and that he would find a fantastic home. It was with the heaviest heart that we took Benji to their recommended rescue.
Once there we carefully explained everything about about Benji and wrote everything we had learnt about him in a book and specifically asked them not to place Benji with a man.
Just over a day later, Benji was placed in a foster home, with a man, who it now seems just took him because he was a pretty looking dog. This man didn’t shut any of his gates or tell anyone that he had a dog in the house. Subsequently his neighbour opened the door and Benji shot straight out, this was within 3 hours of Benji arriving. Now this person didn’t ever seem to care about what had happened and didn’t try and help to find Benji. What kind of a foster does this?
With Benji out lost, the general public started to panic. He was spotted multiple times everyday.
D4R then set up a “missing Benji” page on Facebook and his following gathered pace. Every single sighting was recorded as people became invested in Benjis safe return.
Before Mark and I were aware Benji was missing we were In Talks every day of how we could try something else to bring Benji home and work things out. We contacted the rescue everyday to ask how he was doing and asked them on day 2 to not take things any further so that we could come back up and get him. D4R and Cyprus Dog Rescue ignored our messages. We thought this was odd as they had been so good with contact previously. So on Friday22nd I checked D4R rescue page and saw the link that Benji was missing. I instantly phoned the rescue to ask them what had happened and that I’d be right there (it’s a 5 hour drive) and their reply was “I’m surprised you didn’t come sooner” we had no idea that Benji was missing because nobody had told us! and they had just ignored us. Their reasons were that they knew we would be heartbroken rather than thinking we could potentially play a vital role in helping to find him.
I immediately threw everything that my young baby needed into our car and drove to Manchester. I was greeted by lovely members of the public all concerned for his welfare but when D4R met me, they were rude, showed no compassion and didn’t seem to care that I wasn’t made aware.
On the Monday that Benji escaped, CANINE CAPTURE UK (CCUK)contacted D4R to ask if they wanted any help. D4R said no.
I’m confused about why they said no. They clearly needed the help as at this stage Benji was essentially being “hunted” as he was being chased every time he was seen and his every sighting was reported.
Sunday the 24th of November, a member of the public, Suzanne Lloyd, recommended to contact CANINE CAPTURE UK and when I did they immediately said that they wanted to help but that D4R had said no and they needed to agree.
Finally, after realising that D4R needed help because they have a lot of other things to deal with, they allowed CANINE CAPTURE UK to help.
This meant that all the messages of sightings needed to be taken down and the public needed to stop chasing him. Benji needed a chance settle down. The takeover included control of his missing Benji page.
CCUK are professionals at capturing lost animals and they know what they are doing, yet supporters of D4R didn’t like the new stance being taken and CCUK started getting abuse that they were not doing the right thing.
I find this unacceptable. CCUK has a proven track record of finding lost dogs successfully.
CCUK worked day and night trying to sort out the mess of the first week and spent so much time putting out several traps and equipment to help Benji as well as trying to re-educate the public about not chasing him. This was giving Benji a chance each day to come home.
Finally, 11 days after Benji went missing, CCUK took a call from a lady pushing a pram along the canal. She said she had seen Benji. CCUK then carefully guided the lady on the phone on how to approach him and secure him.
Without this guidance this would not have happened.
It is unfair to say that a member of the public “just grabbed him” if it was that easy, I would have grabbed him myself. It is also unfair to publicly state the incredible work of CCUK and then claim that it was D4R that did it.
We believe if the correct protocols were in place at the start, that Benji would not have gone to that particular foster home and got let out as soon as he arrived. The foster was clearly not vetted. Another failing in my opinion.
We did not take Benji home because we “had to” we took him back because we want to. We were also out day and night searching for him with our tiny baby, hours away from home and our other daughter. This alone, should show the love we have for Benji.
We have, and will continue to pour in as much love and support as we can. Yes there were and are ongoing issues with our Yorkshire Terrier but we are now going to work with someone new and we are also midway through extending our house so that there is more space for everyone to live here happily. It was a mistake to ever have taken Benji to D4R.
CCUK have not only worked tirelessly to bring Benji home, but they have also been subjected to abuse throughout. They have then been slated and kicked off the “missing Benji” page after bringing him to safety. D4R then claimed that it was nothing to do with CCUK and have expressed the incredible work that THEY had done & posted their PayPal link for donations. This has meant that they have stolen donations from CCUK.
We are appalled at how badly things have been handled by D4R and how unprofessional and rude they have been to the CCUK team. I am also astonished that D4R still won’t admit the mistakes they have made. No one is perfect but the importance of realising things were handled badly is paramount so that this does not happen again.
Please know that Benji is extremely happy with our family and has never run away from us. Where we live is open countryside and Benji walks confidently and once safely away from roads, off his lead. There have been reports about us “losing” him before and this is untrue. Benji was at his trainers house and the gate was left open so he went out looking for his trainer but returned to her house on his own later that day after realising she had gone back there.
Benji learns fast and has settled down immediately after arriving back home yesterday.
You’d never even know the ordeal he has been through. He is already starfishing on the sofa(see photo below) and getting lots of cuddles from our eldest daughter.
We will be eternally grateful for the efforts, patience, consistent hard work, kindness and determination (even through abuse) that have CCUK have shown.
CCUK deserve the recognition, and ongoing support of the public to keep up their incredible work. We will be working them to raise awareness to all.
Please consider donating to this fantastic team if you can X
