On a busy Friday evening in Pinner, London, local vet Dr Reena Patel answered a call about a puppy that had been the victim of a hit-and-run. The Doberman, Angus, around six months old, was found on the side of the road in shock with a visibly broken leg.
Urgent Rescue and Surgery
After receiving the call, the Medivet Pinner clinic dispatched its nursing team in an ambulance to collect Angus immediately. Working late into the evening, Dr Reena and her team acted fast to save the puppy. The team collaborated with a surgeon over the weekend to conduct surgery repairing Angus's injured leg.
Dr Reena Patel, Co-owner and Partner at Medivet Pinner, said: "My team was at the surgery until late into the Friday evening when Angus was first admitted. It didn’t cross anyone’s mind that they needed to go; we were here for Angus. Our network of vets ensured that we could find Angus the right surgeons who could help him the most."
After successful surgery to stabilise his leg, Angus was fitted with a cast to ensure the fracture healed correctly. He stayed with the team for two weeks to monitor his recovery.
From Abandonment to Adoption
When the team contacted Angus's owners, they said they could no longer take care of him. Dr Reena knew the puppy deserved a loving home. After exploring re-homing options, she introduced Angus to Mark, the father of one of the nurses.
Mark, Angus's new owner, said: "When we first met Angus, he bounded into the room and headed straight for my wife, and then came over to me. That was it, for us. Job done."
Mark added: "When we first saw Angus, we noticed his cropped ears and docked tail. The Medivet team explained that these procedures are illegal in the UK and often linked to serious welfare concerns, as they cause unnecessary pain and distress. It’s upsetting to think about what he may have been through, but absolutely none of this changed how we felt about him - within seconds we knew he was coming home with us. Angus is so loved for who he is, but his experiences are a reminder of why these practices should never happen."
Illegal Mutilations Under UK Law
Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The RSPCA states: "It's a painful process where a dog's outer ears are removed altogether or are surgically altered, with the tips or huge sections of the outer ear being cut off." Tail docking is also considered mutilation under UK law. The British Veterinary Association notes: "The practice is illegal in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; however, there are some exemptions, such as removal of the tail by a vet for medical reasons or for certain breeds of working dogs."
A Happy Ending
Now eight months old, Angus is making good progress after his surgery and brightens the lives of Mark and his family every day. He has quickly become a key family member, loved by Mark, Dawn, and their grandchildren. He enjoys slow walks around the local park and cuddles in his new home as he continues to recover.
Dr Reena said: "Watching Angus go through the entire journey, from being so unwell to now living with a family that completely adore him. That’s a real love story, isn’t it?"
Mark added: "Angus has the most brilliant temperament; he’s a wonderful dog. He loves people. When I retire over the next few years, I’m looking forward to having him as a companion. Everyone at Medivet Pinner adores Angus, and I can’t praise them enough. They’ve been brilliant and you couldn’t ask for a better vet."
A spokesperson for Medivet and Partners said: "The clinic has more than 350 First Opinion clinics in the UK, and 25 different 24-hour emergency veterinary surgeries in the UK, ready to not only help with urgent treatment, but also accurately advise on the severity of a problem to determine the level of care needed."
