Denton familyA family who put their pet dog into kennels for the first time have spoken of their devastation over its death when the premises was flooded.
Four dogs died when severe flooding swept through the kennels on New Year's Day.
Most of the dogs were saved at the property in Urmston, Greater Manchester at about 07:45 GMT.
The owner of the kennels said on Facebook he was left “absolutely broken”.
Anthony Denton said his family's eight-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Pip – which they bought as a puppy – had been placed in the kennels while they were on a New Year's break to Spain.
While with his partner Moira, son Harvey and daughter Chloe, Mr Denton received a heartbreaking phone call at about 17:00 GMT on New Year's Day.
Mr Denton said: “The kennel owner had to pluck up the courage to tell me – when he told me he was in tears.
“I was in utter shock I put the phone on loud speaker and we all burst into tears.”
He added: “It's like losing a family member. We're just devastated.”
Denton familyMr Denton said the dog had been a great comfort to his partner, who suffered from depression, and said this had been a setback for her.
His son Harvey, 21, added the dog “had his own little personality – it is my sister Chloe I worry about the most, she loved that dog more than anyone else”.
He said: “She has refused to come home and is staying with friends as she doesn't want to see a world without him.”
The family, who used to live in Manchester and are now based in Nantwich, said they believed not enough was done to warn people about the flooding.
Speaking about the kennel owner's efforts to save the dog, Mr Denton said he “did the best” .
He added: “The poor lad was wading in and out chest or waist high to rescue the dogs.
“The only people I hold responsible are those who have care of the waterways.”
Responding to concerns about flooding in Urmston and Trafford, the Environment Agency said flood alerts had been issued prior to flood warnings.
It said the area had been subject to a flood alert late afternoon on 31 December, with a warning issued also overnight and into the next day.
The owner of the kennels in Urmston has been contacted for a comment.
