A teenager whose dog was hit by a car has had to sign the pet away to a charity because she cannot afford the vet bills.

Meghan Bingham, 17, was told that if she could not pay for her nine-year-old whippet’s operation it would either be put down or taken off her.

She said: “I went to see Blue for the last time at the vets and he was jumping up to see me even though he had a bad leg.

"He is really close to my other dog and I’m worried about him on his own.”

Blue was taken to the Grove Lodge Veterinary Hospital in Worthing on Saturday, May 19 with a broken hip after being hit by a car in Lancing.

Meghan, of Grinstead Lane, Lancing, was told it was going to cost in the region of £2,000 for the operation.

The college student couldn’t get the treatment on benefits because she works part-time at Poundstretcher in Lancing and wasn’t eligible for a loan because of her age.

She said: “My mum’s at home with a long-term illness and my dad is in hospital – so they couldn’t help with the costs.

"I was going to sell some of my belongings to pay for it but that wouldn’t have got me anywhere near the total.”

Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS) will take care of Blue during his recovery before offering him for adoption – but not to Meghan.

Animal welfare

Billy Elliot, from WADARS, said: “The policy may seem harsh but it’s the only option.

"If it got out that we pay for vet bills before returning the pet to their owner then we would go out of business in weeks.

"We spend £150,000 to £200,000 a year on vet bills – all of which we have to raise ourselves.”

Nicola Bromley, senior vet at Grove Lodge, added: “Being able to pay for vet fees is part of the overall welfare of the animal.

"It’s terribly sad but all we can do is recommend that owners get their pets insured.”

Meghan added: “Animal charities are overrun with unwanted pets. Here is a dog that has a home and a loving owner – but I can’t have him.”

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