CATS PROTECTION

NOT SURE IF IM POSTING THIS IN THE CORRECT PLACE BUT HERE GOES, SUPPORT ON THIS MATTER WILL BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED.

On Thursday 2nd September my three cats went out as usual. The next morning only the two older cats were back, Dooby never misses a meal so I was quite concerned, but assumed he was probably sunbathing. Everyone kept telling me oh hes probably out galavanting, but I knew different - there was something very wrong.

By Saturday I was frantic, ringing vets, cat and dog shelter then printed flyers to circulate in South Gosforth, I was out for hours with my torch at night in the graveyard, in the back lanes, checking wheelie bins etc but still nothing.

Monday morning 06/09, phoned envirocall to see if (god forbid) he had been picked up after an accident. I don't know what it is about those people but they dont seem to have a compassionate bone in their bodies, I was bluntly told nothing had been picked up in my area. I rang again in the afternoon and still nothing. Monday night a call from a gentleman telling me he saw a cat dead by the roadside on Friday 03 Sept near to south Gosforth Metro and it looked like the pic that I had put up of Dooby. A lady later phoned and also confirmed that she had seen Dooby while out walking her dog.

First thing Tuesday morning I called Envirocall again, this time they took my details but still said there was nothing on their system about a dead cat in South Gosforth on 03/09. I called again and this time asked for a phone number for the depot who deal with road cleaning and was told that they dont deal with the general public and that if a cat had been picked up it would have been reported straight away as the operatives carry some form of device to log details.

Still not happy and yet another member of the public kindly advising me that sorry but a cat which was the same as in the picture I put up was lying dead near to South Gosforth Metro Station. Frustrated and very upset, I googled until I found a whole list of Neighbourhood response managers http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/wwwfileroot/ns/policyresources/NRMchart.pdf, so started to ring around. I eventually spoke to the Manager of my area called Darren Penula who said that he would make enquiries and ring me back. I also sent an email with Doobys picture to show the operative who had picked him up.

He did indeed call me back and advised that yes a cat had been picked up on Friday 03 Sept next to South Gosforth Metro Station, but the operative had said it was not Dooby, I was distraught, but felt it too much of a coincidence for my cat to disappear the night before, then have members of the public ringing me to advise they had seen him.  I asked him where it was taken and he advised all roadkill animals are taken to Sita in Gateshead, and that the men who recovered the body had taken it there! THIS HAS LATER TURNED OUT NOT TO BE THE TRUTH!

I contacted Sita but a very unhelpful man referred me back to the city Council if I had any enquires!

After another sleepless night I couldnt rest until I saw the body of the dead cat convinced that it was Dooby so again I phoned Sita, this time a lovely sympathetic gentleman helped me. He agreed to check the Freezer and would let me know if my cat was there. He called me back and advised that there were five bags in the freezer, four dogs and one cat. I asked if I would be allowed to go and see the cat to see if it was Dooby and he said yes. A very kind neighbour took me to Wreckenton where I met Kevin, he showed me the cat which was a beautiful long haired well looked after pet, but sadly it wasn't Dooby.

I told him the Council had said that they brought a cat over on Friday 03, but Kevin said nothing had been brought over by Newcastle Council that day and that dead animals were only brought in the evenings anyway and the Wreckenton site is the only one allowed to dispose of animals, I guess so members of the public are not upset. Kevin said that all the pets are taken to a crematorium in Boldon where they are given a dignified cremation. I asked if any pets had been taken there since friday and he said no. I thanked him for all his help and kindness and went home. He had given me the phone number for the Crem in Boldon so I called them just in case the council had taken the cat there directly. I was advised that nothing had come from Newcastle City Council, and they had not collected from Sita for almost two weeks.

By this time I was at my wits end, I am in no doubt that the cat is Dooby but where the hell did the council men take him???

Yet again, I rang the council and told them that I had been to Sita and that no member of Council staff had taken a cat there on Friday. The manager said he would look into things and ring me back.

Two hours later I received a call advising me that one of the men who picked up my cat had been interviewed and that because an internal investigation was now underway, he was unable to tell me anything other than that NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURE HAD NOT BEEN FOLLOWED!

OMG WHAT HAVE THESE CALLOUS MEN DONE WITH MY CAT???

He told me I had to wait until Friday 10/09 for a response to my complaint as the other operative was on annual leave and they had to interview him before speaking to me.

So at this stage, all I know is that two very insensitive, neglient abhorrently lazy men working for Newcastle City Council have picked up my much loved cat and dumped him somewhere! There must be laws about the disposal of animal waste so I'm sure they have breached Health and Safety also.

I am distraught and disgusted at their callous actions and lies, they are a disgrace to the City Council. I have contacted my MP, my Local Councillor, the Evening Chronicle, the RSPCA, Cat Protection and am seeking advice from a solicitor tomorrow to see if I have a case to take legal action.

Losing a pet is bad enough for anyone, but the insensitivity, lies, cover ups, distress that I have had to endure this week chasing and begging for information is beyond words.

Could this have happened to your missing pet?? Incidentally microchips are not checked for either, as the council do not have the facility apparently!

ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS WHERE THEY HAVE DUMPED MY CAT, I NEED TO SAY GOODBYE TO HIM PROPERLY BEFORE I CAN MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE! HE WAS MY LITTLE BUDDY AND THERE IS A HUGE HOLE IN MY HEART NOW THAT HE IS GONE.

SLEEP WELL MY LITTLE DOOBYDOO, AND THANKYOU FOR LOVING ME BACK XXXXXXXXX

Helen that is all so shocking I am so sorry to hear about Dooby I am a fosterer for gateshead CP and I believe Gateshead  council do check microchips I strongly feel that all councils should provide this service. It is distressing to lose a cat on a road but more distressing that little respect has been shown for a much loved pet.

Thanks loobyloo, its despicable isnt it.  I will find out tomorrow exactly what happened, but believe me, I am going to fight this one until they change their so called "policies and procedures"!

In the past 15 years, I have fostered for what used to be CPL, also. I still have two cats and another four who live with my ex hubby that we rescued, i've experienced heartache, but nothing on this scale. 

I am sending  you my heart felt sympathy, I too have lost my lovely cat Gus over the summer, he vanished in June, its heart breaking, we have searched, but he has never been found.

I hope you have closure and comfort soon.

Very best wishes to you.

Angela

Helen, my sympathies go out to you, that not only is your cat missing, you cannot get closure on this, as you have not seen the body.

The Newcastle Branch of Cats Protection, work mainly in North Tyneside these days, as there simply so few of us, and we all live in or around the area.

North Tyneside Council, also, have facilities to check for chips, and retain bodies in order to give an owner time to find their pet.

In fact NTC actively help us with our Pet Road Shows, by supplying premises, and staff.

I would most certainly support you in your campaign in making Newcastle City Council scan for chips. Otherwise what is the point in us chipping animals in the first place?

I have been a volunteer for Cats Protection Newcastle for almost 18 years now, and we have made some remarkable steps forward to try and eradicate the stray problem, and the horrible diseases that were unheard of 30 -40 years ago, which go hand in hand with stray cats.

Micro-chipping is the way forward, but its pointless unless Vets, Animal Welfare Groups, Charities and Regional Councils are going to scan for them.

If Newcastle City Council cannot afford a scanner, I am sure we can supply them with one ! 

Can you contact me via the contact us page, and give me the name and position of the person who has been dealing with this, and I will also write to him with the offer of a scanner.

Thankyou and I have sent the details you have requested.

To the rest of the members who have taken an interest in my plight, I can now tell you the final chapter.

Two men (sorry I simply cannot call them gentlemen) visited me yesterday with the outcome of their investigation.  They admitted that the men who picked up my cat, had lied and had not taken him to the correct facility, but had carried on with their daily work, (conveniently forgotten he was on the wagon) and was dumped at Benwell Tip on Scotswood Road.  I was told there was a remote possibility that he would still be there so I demanded they take me there and I would be happy to sift through the rubbish in the area it had all been dumped........I dont think that they were expecting me to say that, and called me an hour later to advise, actually sorry but over 100 tons of rubish had been moved to a landfill site this week which would have included my baby!

I dont think I have screamed since I was a little girl, but after that call, I just broke down and I can't even begin to tell you what happened to me because I have never felt like that ever in my life, in fact I don't think that there is a word to describe it.  I think with everything that I went through emotionally since last friday just took its toll.  My GP had to come and see me and ive been given sedatives, and am also now being watched over by the crisis assessment people as I just completely "lost" it yesterday and just wanted to die!  I think part of me already has! 

However, I still have two very needy little companions who I have to stay strong for and they have been such a comfort to me.

So if CP do educate Newcastle City Council and hopefully have some changes put into place regarding scanners.  The my loss will have had some positive outcome.

Thanks again to everyone for your support.

Kind regards,

Helen.

so sorry Helen lets hope something positive comes out of your personal tragedyx

Helen, there will be a positive to come out of this whole tragic event.

Together, we can all make a difference.

I am very much looking forward to being a part of it , thankyou x

Hi Helen, I am so sorry, such an awful story sent a shiver down my spine. I was told by the council that i would immediately be informed as my missing cat is microchipped. I wouldnt be suprised if this isnt the case. x

I just read this story and i have never felt so emotional over someone elses loss before. I actually cried reading this outloud to my boyfriend. Our cat went missing on newyears day and were still looking for him. Were worried sick about him as he isnt microchipped and hasnt had his vaccinations. I really hope that the council has improved since your terrible experiences as i will have to call them tomorrow to ask if our little baby has been reported.

I wish you all the best with your case and hope it has an impact.

xx

Hi Vikki, thankyou for your kind words.  I am happy to say that processes have been changed since my experience, but CP could probably tell you more about that.  I was awarded some compensation which I donated to CP as they do such fantastic work with neutering and microchipping projects.

It has been a tough 6 months, but I am now seeking a new kitten to fill the void that Dooby left .  So hopefully I will have an update soon.

Hi Helen, I have just joined this site and read your story. My heart aches for you. My lovely Wendy went missing in June and I also searched everywhere, put out notices visited the cat and dog shelter and called the Council countless times to no avail. To make matters worse some heartless person dumped a cardboard box on my doorstep with two starving cats in it. I had to make phone calls and get them to the vets at 9am on a Saturday morning. This whole business had a terrible effect on me and I have ended up on anti'depressants due to anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I also have no closure for Wendy and although it has got easier I still sometimes cry over her. Hope that things are now a bit easier for you too.

Hi Shiela,

You have my deepest sympathy regarding the loss of Wendy and the lack of closure.  I still sometimes have dreams about Doobs, just wandering through the back door as though he had never been away. but I know that will never happen and I have accepted that. 

Time really is the best healer as now instead of mourning my loss, I am surrounded by happy memories of the joy that Dooby brought to my life.  I have a huge picture frame on my wall with all my favorite pictures of him in, I have had videos which were taken on my mobile phone put onto compact disk and a tribute to him on youtube.  He is still very much around me, and although I still do shed a tear now and then, I smile at him much more.

Stay strong Shiela and celebrate how lucky you were that Wendy chose you to love her. xxx

After long deliberation I would like to introduce the newest member of my feline household.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWwa05LrgCg

I got her on 7th April and she is seven weeks old, a bit young to leave mum in my opinion, but she is an absolute delight and I am looking forward to her long and very happy life.

At the moment, I am calling her "little bug", but that will likely change with time.

Thanks to all for the interest in Dooby's story, I'm sure he will be happy wherever he is and hopefully will approve of Bug!