A family is seeking accountability after their healthy Goldendoodle, Poppy, died of heatstroke at a boarding facility in Cottingham, Yorkshire, during a 30C heatwave. Georgia and Tom Baxter dropped off their three-year-old dog at Tailz 'N' Trailz on June 19, believing she would be kept cool with fans and sprinklers.
Poppy was found deceased at 2:20 p.m. and rushed to a veterinarian, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A vet report indicated extreme hyperthermia, with her rectal temperature exceeding the thermometer's range. The report noted that the dog was indoors with a fan, and outside temperatures were around 30C, suggesting heatstroke as a likely cause of death.
The Baxters were reportedly told by staff that a post-mortem examination was inconvenient and that the facility lacked the means to store Poppy's body. They were allegedly advised to take her body home to their refrigerator, a suggestion they found distressing.
Following Poppy's death, the couple reported the incident to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Licensing Department. In an August 17 response, the council stated that while some concerns regarding the facility's processes were identified, they could not establish that these issues contributed to Poppy's passing. However, the business's star rating was reduced from five stars to two, resulting in more frequent inspections.
The Baxters expressed dissatisfaction with the council's findings, accusing them of prioritizing the business over pet owners. They believe that Tailz 'N' Trailz should not be allowed to operate and are urging other pet owners to inquire about supervision durations, social mingling policies, and air conditioning availability at boarding facilities.
According to UK government guidelines, dogs in licensed boarding houses should not be left unsupervised for more than three hours within a 24-hour period. The Baxters stated that Poppy had been left unsupervised for nearly four hours before she was discovered. They also noted that summers are becoming hotter, and boarding facilities must be equipped with adequate cooling systems.
An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesperson confirmed that their licensing team follows national regulations set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The spokesperson added that while they were unable to definitively link the boarding home's actions to the dog's death, the reduction in star rating signifies increased scrutiny and more frequent inspections. The Daily Mail has contacted Tailz 'N' Trailz for comment.