Designer pets come with health costs: Euthanization and Abandonment

An increasing number of pets are either euthanized or abandoned because owners can't pay the medical bills, and part of the problem is the impulsive purchase of "designer" pets, say Ottawa animal welfare workers and veterinarians.

The Ottawa Humane Society on Thursday charged an Ottawa woman with two counts of animal cruelty. The society said she allowed her dog, a 10-month-old pointer-mix, to suffer for months without seeking medical attention for a skin condition that led to complete hair loss, scabbing and swollen skin.

The woman told a veterinarian she noticed the issue eight months earlier but did not bring the dog in because she couldn't afford treatment. The dog was euthanized.

It was the second time in three weeks the Humane Society has charged someone in Ottawa for failing to properly care for their animal.

An Ottawa couple faces up to two years in jail after vets determined their black Labrador Retriever had advanced cancer and was likely sick for at least a month. The couple had also claimed they had not obtained earlier treatment due to financial reasons. (read more)