Georgia Family Accuses Animal Hospital Worker of Keeping Pug After Euthanasia Paid For
A family claims their pug was secretly taken home by a worker and kept for months after they paid for euthanasia, only for the dog to be put down later amid allegations of a cover-up.
A Georgia family has accused an employee at Senoia Animal Hospital of taking their pug, Cha Cha, home and keeping her for months after the family had paid for her euthanasia. The family alleges the hospital then euthanized a healthy dog as part of a cover-up.
Rebecca Belote said her four-year-old pug, Cha Cha, became severely ill in March and was taken to Senoia Animal Hospital in Coweta County. According to Belote, the hospital diagnosed the dog with organ failure due to diabetic ketoacidosis and recommended euthanasia, which the family agreed to and paid for on March 4. The family stated they believed Cha Cha had died and mourned her loss.
Belote reported that the situation came to light in September when she saw a picture of Cha Cha posted on Facebook by a former hospital employee. The post suggested a female worker at the hospital had taken Cha Cha home. Belote claimed to have spoken with the worker's husband, who allegedly confirmed the pug had been with his wife for months and was in good health.
The family's grief was compounded by the revelation. "My son was really attached to the dog," Belote said, recalling how her 17-year-old son Cohen and the pug were inseparable, even wearing matching outfits. "It broke my heart thinking that she thought we left her there and went home with some other family."
The family had opted for euthanasia after being informed that treatment costs would run into thousands of dollars per month with no guarantee of quality of life for Cha Cha. Mark Belote, Rebecca's husband, was present during Cha Cha's sedation but left before the procedure was completed, believing the pug had passed away. The family later received a bill for $716.50 for the euthanasia.
According to records, Cha Cha's official death date was listed as August 12, several months after the family paid for euthanasia. Belote alleged that hospital managers denied her account and that the hospital was employing legal counsel. She has filed a complaint with the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
This incident at Senoia Animal Hospital is not the first of its kind. Last year, Brian Jagt reported that his 19-year-old ragdoll cat, Annie, was allegedly kept alive by the same veterinary technician for approximately 18 months after he had requested euthanasia. Annie was eventually euthanized on August 13. Belote claimed the worker accused in both instances is the same individual.
The Senoia Police Department has stated that it will not pursue criminal charges, citing the difficulty in proving criminal intent and suggesting civil court or the state veterinary board as more appropriate avenues for resolution. A spokesperson for the department noted that while ethical issues are apparent, proving fraud to a jury would be challenging. The Coweta County Solicitor’s Office indicated that the cases are pending review and further investigation.
