Dog lover's heartbreak as crematorium gives her wrong pet's ashes
A grieving dog owner wants answers after she has given ashes by a crematorium that turned out not to belong to her pet.
It comes as Swan Pit Pet Crematorium in Swan Pit, Gnosall, near Stafford is under investigation by council bosses amid allegations of mixing up ashes and storing dead pets in a freezer.
When Elizabeth Clewes had to make the decision to have her 12-year-old dog Ellie put down she was heartbroken.
But she took comfort from knowing she would have the ashes of her pet as a reminder of the times they had shared together.
Now, however, she has been contacted by council officials who had raided the pet crematorium where Ellie was supposed to have been interned, telling her that her pet's body was still on the premises.
She said: "They told me there had been a number of incidents, I don't know how many. They traced me because I had Ellie microchipped, and the chip was still in her."
Staffordshire County Council has now confirmed it is investigating Swan Pit Pet Crematorium in Swan Pit, Gnosall, near Stafford. The adjoining kennels is not connected to the investigation.
Mrs Clewes, of Horseshoe Paddock, Lawley Bank, said: "It was heartbreaking, but I am one of the lucky ones. Because Ellie had been chipped, the council was able to find her, and they have now cremated her, so I do have her ashes now."
Mrs Clewes had Ellie put down on October 6, and said that within two days Swan Pit contacted her saying that the ashes were ready.
She was then contacted earlier this month by Staffordshire County Council, who seized the ashes she had been given.
"I don't know what was in them," she said.
Swan Pit owner Alan McMaster said he could not comment at this stage, but would be prepared to do so once all the legal procedures had been completed.
"There is a third party involved, so it would not be fair for me to comment at this stage," he said.
Staffordshire County Council confirmed it was investigating Swan Pit Pet Crematorium.
Cabinet support member for the environment Councillor Gill Heath appealed for anybody with any information to get in touch.
She said: "We have received complaints about Swan Pit Pet Crematorium in Gnosall, and are currently investigating their operating practices.
"Anyone who has used the crematorium in the last few months is asked to contact Staffordshire County Council's Animal Health team on 01785 277875."
