A puppy originally bought from Kelly’s Kennels in Warrington is now facing major surgery on both front legs – leaving us trying to raise £12,000 to give him the chance of a pain-free future.
Hugo, a Shih Tzu x Poodle is barely a year old, was originally purchased from Kelly’s Kennels, which sells puppies bred in large numbers at its breeding establishment in Northern Ireland before transporting them to Warrington for sale.
He came into our care a couple of months ago after his owner, who had owned him for around five months, was no longer able to cope.
Since then, Hugo has been living in a loving foster home while we and a veterinary team have investigated serious problems with his front legs.
Hugo has now been diagnosed with Angular Limb Deformity (ALD). Without major specialist surgery, his condition is expected to get progressively worse and is likely to become increasingly painful.
For WAW, Hugo’s story raises important questions about the large-scale breeding and selling of puppies – and who ultimately picks up the pieces when things go wrong.
Despite everything he is facing, Hugo couldn’t have a lovelier nature. He adores people, gets on brilliantly with other dogs and is quite simply one of the nicest dogs you could ever wish to meet.
But underneath that happy personality is a young dog facing an incredibly difficult start to life.
Hugo’s condition
Angular Limb Deformity is a developmental condition which means the bones in Hugo’s front legs have not grown at the same rate, causing them to bend and develop at abnormal angles.
WAW’s vet explained:
“Hugo has an angular limb deformity, which means his bones haven’t grown at the same rate, leading to abnormal bending and angles in places. His surgery will involve cutting and realigning the bones so that the angles become more normal. Once the bones have been cut, they are then held in the new positions with metal plates and screws.”
It is major and highly specialised orthopaedic surgery – and both of Hugo’s front legs need treatment.
The estimated cost is around £12,000.
The condition is progressive, meaning Hugo’s legs are likely to become worse as he grows. Without surgery, there is a significant risk that his mobility will deteriorate, and he will experience increasing pain.
Time is therefore important. Surgery needs to take place while there is still an opportunity to correct his legs and give him the best possible chance of a comfortable and active life.
From large-scale puppy breeding to rescue care
There can be a hereditary or genetic component to angular limb deformities, with the condition seen more frequently in certain breeds.
Hugo’s vet has advised that dogs with poor conformation – or dogs repeatedly producing puppies with these types of problems – should not be bred from.
However, because ALD is developmental and can become progressively more noticeable as a puppy grows, it isn’t possible to establish precisely what caused Hugo’s individual condition or exactly how severe it would have appeared when he was a very young puppy.
WAW does know is where Hugo came from
He was originally purchased from Kelly’s Kennels in Warrington, which sells puppies bred in large numbers at its breeding establishment in Northern Ireland before transporting them to Warrington for sale.
Now Hugo is in our care…a small local animal rescue facing a £12,000 veterinary bill to try to prevent him suffering increasing problems with his legs.
For us, his story is a stark reminder that buying a puppy is about far more than choosing a breed or falling in love with a photograph.
“Dogs like Hugo pay the price”
At WAW, we always encourage people to consider adoption first, giving a rescue animal the chance of a loving home. However, if adoption isn’t an option and you choose to buy a puppy, it’s vital to do your research. Find out where the puppy was actually born and bred and always insist on seeing the puppy with its mother in the environment where it was raised. Ask questions about the health of its parents and littermates, and think carefully about puppies that have travelled significant distances before being offered for sale.
Have you bought a dog from a puppy farm, large-scale breeder or third-party puppy seller, like Kelly’s Kennels, and later experienced health or welfare problems? We’d like to hear about your experience.
Contact us in confidence with details, including where your dog came from, when they were purchased and the problems you’ve experienced. Your information could help us understand the wider picture and raise awareness of the consequences of irresponsible breeding and puppy selling.
A WAW Trustee said:
“Hugo is an absolutely gorgeous little dog. He loves everyone he meets, both people and dogs, and it is heart-breaking that at such a young age he is facing this.
“Once again, as a small local rescue, we find ourselves picking up the pieces after a puppy has been bred, transported and sold. By the time dogs like Hugo reach us, the sale is long over – but the consequences can last a lifetime.
“We believe the welfare and long-term health of every dog should come before the number of puppies that can be bred and sold. When that doesn’t happen, ultimately it is dogs like Hugo who pay the price.
“We can’t say exactly what caused Hugo’s individual condition, but we do know there can be a hereditary component to Angular Limb Deformity. His case is another reason why responsible breeding, good conformation and knowing the history of the dogs being bred from matter so much.
“Hugo didn’t choose where he was born, how he was bred or where he was sold. He certainly doesn’t deserve to spend his life suffering because of the problems with his legs.
“We can’t change Hugo’s start in life, but we will change what happens next. He’s barely one year old and should have his whole life ahead of him.
“£12,000 is an enormous amount of money for a small charity like ours, but Hugo deserves that chance. We’re hoping our local amazing animal-loving community will get behind him.”
Can you help Hugo?
We need help with the £12,000 we need to cover Hugo’s specialist treatment and is asking supporters to donate whatever they can.
£5, £10 or £20 might not sound enough to pay for complex orthopaedic surgery – but when hundreds of animal lovers come together, those donations can achieve something incredible.
If 1,200 people donated £10, Hugo’s £12,000 target would be reached.
Every donation will take Hugo one step closer to the surgery he needs and, hopefully, a future where he can run, play and enjoy life without increasing pain.
There are several safe and secure ways to donate to WAW, including online via JustGiving, PayPal, bank transfer, Text to Donate, cheque or cash/direct donations to the rescue centre.
Text to Donate
£1: text NEUT001 to 70201
£3: text NEUT001 to 70331
£5: text NEUT001 to 70970
£10: text NEUT001 to 70191
Texts are charged at the donation amount plus the standard network rate.
Donations by cheque can be made payable to Warrington Animal Welfare and sent to the rescue centre at Slutchers Lane, Bank Quay, Warrington, WA1 1NA. PayPal donations can be made using info@warringtonanimalwelfare.org.uk.
Find out more about all the ways you can donate here.
Please help us give Hugo the future he deserves!
