Labradoodle's owner left devastated after her pet is killed after running away from dog walkers on trial day

A devastated dog owner today told how her labradoodle was found dead at the side of the road after going missing while with a dog-walking company.

Andrea Pothier, 36, and her partner Ivor O’Toole, 45, left five-month-old Ghost with City Paws Club for a trial day on Tuesday, March 6. But the couple, from Fulham, were left heartbroken after a member of staff told them he had disappeared.

Ten days later, after a search involving more than 100 people, Ghost was found dead at the side of the A3, near Chessington. He had been hit by a vehicle.

Ms Pothier, who worked for a superyacht chartering company, today hit out at the Putney dog day care centre. She said: “I was devastated. While he was missing, we didn’t work, sleep or eat. And I was in such a state after he died.

“There was a complete lack of care from the company. My biggest regret is not checking out [the company] before sending Ghost there for the day.” Two members of staff had tried to get Ghost back on the lead to return to the centre after being in the play area. They tried to grab his collar, but he ran through a gate and jumped over a fence.

Ms Pothier said she was not informed for two hours, when she and Mr O’Toole, a banker, launched search parties.

She said the company accepted responsibility and were “very fair” after Ghost’s body was found, but added: “It’s not the first time it’s happened and I think it’s unforgivable to not have told us immediately that he had run off.” Another dog owner said her German shepherd mix dog Trooper went missing in March 2015 after escaping from City Paws Club’s van. He was found alive several days later.

Matt Boyce, who started the company in 2012, said it was “revisiting all procedures and taking more safety measures”. He said seven staff members had carried out an initial search for Ghost and later hired a pet detective, a drone operator and set up field cameras with thermal imaging.

He said: “My team and myself are totally devastated about the loss of Ghost. Saying we are sorry is an understatement. We were responsible for Ghost and we failed him and his owners.” He said the delay in contacting Ms Pothier was because staff were busy searching.

A Elmbridge council spokesman said it received one complaint last year about the company and confirmed there were no other investigations.