Swiss Shepherd could be put down after trip from Lebanon

A DOG who travelled from Lebanon “might have to be put down” as the family cannot afford to pay its quarantine bills.

Swiss white shepherd Lessy arrived at Heathrow Airport on July 27 - and was bound for Bolton before paperwork issues were discovered.

Lessy’s owners say the vet in Lebanon, made errors with the paperwork in relation to compulsory blood tests and vaccinations, meaning she now has to quarantine at the airport for three months due to animal transportation laws.

Owner Teresa Saade, of Station Road, Blackrod said: “Lessy was my partner’s dog living in Lebanon, and we spent more than £2,000 to bring her over here to be with us.

“All went well but after arriving in the UK, Lessy’s paperwork was checked and the vet who filed her paperwork to prove her rabies vaccine and blood work has put the wrong date on the documents, making them null and void.

“Now our beautiful girl is stuck at the airport faced with being put to sleep if we can’t raise the funds to keep her in quarantine for three months.”

Teresa’s husband is from Lebanon, and she spent some time living there before they returned to the UK.

Lessy is nearly four years old and faces quarantining until October in a caged facility at Heathrow.

The family has already paid £800 towards Lessy’s quarantine costs, but fear they will fall behind on rent payments - so are now pleading with the public to help.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up in an effort to secure more money for the cost of quarantine. Government guidance states dogs can face quarantine of up to four months if they do not have the correct paperwork to enter the UK.

The family, including Teresa’s 11-year-old son Bradley, would be “heartbroken” if Lessy is unable to return home.

Teresa, who is on Universal Credit because she is unable to work, added: “We’re absolutely desperate for help. The thought of losing her is breaking our hearts - as a family we need to get Lessy home safe.

“She’s a beautiful, friendly, healthy girl whose future we are now unsure of. Any help would be so appreciated by our family.”

“We have tried everything to get her back to us but there doesn’t seem to be anything more that we can do.

“I’ve tried to save up every penny that I can to put towards these fees.”

The GoFundMe campaign has so far raised just £70 from six donors - out of the £3,200 goal.

London Heathrow Airport has been contacted for comment.

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