A COUPLE from Four Crosses have gone to extreme lengths to silence rumours that they had a healthy dog put down by publishing a letter from their vet.

Susan Hope and Geoff Wilde's part blue Merle border collie Rusty was put to sleep in the autumn of 2021 after developing an aggressive cancer that left the six-year-old in pain, leading to a change in temperament.

The pair have taken the unusual step of seeking and publishing a letter from Dr Melissa Griffiths, at Four Crosses Veterinary Centre, confirming that Rusty had a mast cell tumour and was put to sleep on welfare grounds.

Geoff, who was bitten by Rusty – aggression caused by the cancer – says rumours began circulating on social media before a family member shunned him over the reports that they had Rusty put to sleep for 'selfish reasons'.

He said: "We'd had him for six years and he came from a pup, which is sad and horrible.

"It's been bad enough as it is to have him put down as well as this.

"The rumours came from when I went to see my uncle, who I usually saw every week.

"I saw him last month and he came to the gate and said he didn't want to see me anymore because I had my dog put down for nothing because we wanted to go off in the campervan.

"I told him he knew he had cancer and wanted to know who had told him that, but he didn't say so I told him he was wrong.

"No vet would put a dog down if anyone can look after it – they would re-home it."

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In a letter to the couple – seen by the Advertizer – Dr Griffiths said: "On examination, (Rusty) seemed very uncomfortable which explained his change in behaviour.

"As the mass had grown despite antibiotics, I suspected his mass was a mast cell tumour, an aggressive cancer and due to his sudden deterioration, the decision was made to euthanise him on welfare grounds."

Mr Wilde added: "That dog had cancer and after he bit me, we took him to the vets and they had to lance the abscess in the shoulder and they wanted to get him in the following week.

"His behaviour when I took him for a walk through Four Crosses, he was trying to get at other dogs and it's how the cancer took him.

"It's a double blow – losing our dog and not being believed by people who I spent time with and do things for.

"It's wrong and I just want people to mind their own business and let us grieve our dog."