Woman heartbroken after she leaves puppy at day care to go on holiday, only to have it lose an eye while staying there

A woman has been left horrified and heartbroken after she left her puppy at a “doggy day care” while she went on holiday only to find it lost an eye while staying there.

The woman went to Centre Parcs and booked her day into the the Muddy Pooches doggy day care centre in South Shields.

On September 5 this year, Lynne Graham, 58, was called by the vet and told how Stevie had been brought in having been attacked by a much bigger dog.

Despite surgery, the puppy lost an eye and suffered “extensive muscle and tissue damage” behind it – along with further bite injuries to his face. Lynne told the media how she would never forgive herself for leaving Stevie in the care of Muddy Pooches.

Lynne – who is studying for a criminology PhD reported what happened to South Tyneside Council and the council then undertook an investigation.

Following this, Muddy Pooches has had its dog day care licence suspended pending appeal. Lynne said she had kept quiet until the investigation was complete, but wanted to protect other people’s pets from suffering similar injuries elsewhere.

She said: “I was so shocked, I had thought he was in safe hands. I was horrified and devastated and will never forgive myself for leaving him there. I can’t change what happened to Stevie but I can try to prevent it happening to someone else’s pet.”

She said there was no proper supervision at the centre and the dog was attacked while feeding.

A South Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “Following an investigation, the council took a decision to suspend the dog daycare licence with effect from 18 October. However, the licence has since expired.

“Alongside this, an investigation was also carried out into the home boarding operation and as a result, its rating will be downgraded, subject to appeal.”

Muddy Pooches and owner Mark Morris have not responded to requests for comment.