Jennifer and Hugh McKay reunited with Molly.
Camera IconJennifer and Hugh McKay reunited with Molly. Credit: Supplied/Gabrielle Jeffery

Kwinana family reunited with dog a year after believing it had been put down

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

A FAMILY has been reunited with their beloved pet dog – nearly a year after complying with a council ranger’s directive they give her up to be put down.

They were never told that instead of being put down, the family pet had instead been saved by a rescue group.

Jennifer McKay’s dog, a Dogue De Bordeax (French Mastiff) named Molly, had been seized by the City of Kwinana in February 2017 after reportedly chasing livestock in the area.

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A young Hugh with Molly.
Camera IconA young Hugh with Molly. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“We got a call from the ranger, (who said) our dog was found in a neighbour’s paddock where cows were seen running,” she said.

“He told me it was highly likely an order would be made to put her down.”

Mrs McKay said she did not think Molly was capable of the ranger’s accusations.

“But I agreed – I understood, dogs chasing cows – they have to be put down,” she said.

“I just said ‘well let us say goodbye – she was pinned for this and has been through enough – let’s not let her suffer anymore’.”

Molly.
Camera IconMolly. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

She filled out a form as directed by the ranger and wrote that Molly was to be put down.

“Molly grew up around horses, chooks, kids, and cats. There were no issues. I think she was just in the paddock with them and (the cows) have seen her and ran away,” she said.

Mrs McKay believed Molly would be put down on Tuesday, February 14 – she said her goodbyes and thought that was the end of it.

Little did she know, instead of being put down Molly ended up going to Dogue De Bordeaux Rescue Australia for adoption.

Almost a year later, she was on Facebook when a post appeared on her page profiling a dog for adoption.

“I knew straight away. It was her,” she said.

“I just felt sick.”

Molly and Havoc, the family’s Irish wolf hound.
Camera IconMolly and Havoc, the family’s Irish wolf hound. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

She confronted the City of Kwinana, asking for an explanation.

“I said ‘how do I go home and tell my 13-year-old, who grew up with Molly since he was a baby, that his dog had suddenly resurrected itself?’,” she said.

Arrangements were made for Mrs McKay to pick up Molly from a foster carer and she was reunited with her family.

Molly.
Camera IconMolly. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Kwinana chief executive Joanne Abbiss refused to explain the error and said the City worked closely with local pet rescue groups to determine the suitability of dogs to be rehomed.

“In this instance the dog was surrendered by the owner and subsequently assessed by a rescue group who requested ownership of the dog be transferred to them,” she said.

“There were no witnesses to Molly attacking cows and this could therefore not be proven.

“The City is constantly reviewing its departments, systems and processes to help us provide the best service we can to the community.”

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