I left my beloved Maltese at a doggy daycare centre solely to come back again and discover it lined in blood and blind in a single eye after a vicious assault

A puppy lost its eye when it was mauled in a vicious attack by a spaniel at a doggy day care, its heartbroken owner has said.

Lynne Graham, 58, left Stevie with Muddy Pooches and its owner Mark Morris while she went on holiday.

She was told her beloved dog, a Maltese, would be safe at the centre in the day before being taken to stay at Mark’s own home overnight, she claims.

Lynne was then horrified when she returned from a birthday getaway to find her four-month-old puppy had suffered devastating injuries. 

Stevie was left with one eye, a tooth mark on his head and muscle injuries after being attacked by a much bigger dog.

Lynne says she was told Stevie was pounced on during a food ‘scatter exercise’ after kibble was thrown into a room filled with dogs and they all scrambled to get it.

She said: ‘I left Stevie for four days last month while I went away with a friend to Centre Parks in Penrith for my birthday.

‘I thought I was leaving him in expert care and that he would become more socialised and learn not to have any separation anxiety.

‘But, on my birthday, September 6, I was getting ready for a meal and received a call from the vet saying that he had been attacked and brought in by the daycare.

‘I was told they would have to perform emergency surgery and remove one of his eyes, possibly both of them. I was told that he may not survive.

‘I was absolutely distraught. I was in shock.

‘Finally, we heard that he had survived but was very lucky to be alive but that he had lost one of his eyes.

‘I raced home to collect him the next morning and was devastated to see him in such a state.

‘He is physically well within himself a month on from the ordeal, apart from losing his eye.

‘He is fine in the house but very reactive when we go out.

‘I can only take him around streets close to the house while we rebuild his trust in the world.

‘He will be mentally scarred for life.’

Lynne, a PHD candidate at Northumbria University, paid £150 for daycare owner Mark to home board Stevie and look after him at his centre during the day.

But, she claims he was not present at the centre and left Stevie in a room with a number of dogs and inexperienced staff members.

Lynne, of South Shields, South Tyneside added: ‘I thought it was premium care and I trusted that all the staff had qualifications.

‘I received pictures of Stevie in Mark’s home and his car so I thought he was living his best life.

‘I didn’t see the red flags when I booked the centre. They had no CCTV so I still don’t fully understand what happened to Stevie.

‘I don’t want this to happen to anyone else’s pets. Since I went public with Stevie’s story I’ve had so many people reach out to me with horrifying experiences.’

Lynne filed a report with the council, who conducted an investigation and suspended Mark’s licence.

Now, Lynne is urging other pet owners to beware of dodgy doggy day care centres.

She said: ‘Never book anywhere without CCTV as they cannot be held accountable.

‘Ask questions about the daycare and about the staff’s qualifications.

‘Make sure they separate puppies, small dogs and bigger dogs.

‘Mark never conducted any behavioural assessments on the dogs, which it’s important to do.’

A spokesperson for South Tyneside Council said: ‘Following an investigation, the council took a decision to suspend the dog daycare licence with effect from 18 October. However, the licence has since expired.

‘Alongside this, an investigation was also carried out into the home boarding operation and as a result, its rating will be downgraded, subject to appeal.’

Mr Morris said: ‘The dog was not mauled, it was snacked at by another dog.

‘It was a short bite, not a prolonged attack.

‘The business is now closed. We have surrendered our licence.

‘The staff felt the business needed to close immediately as they were in fear of their safety due to the comments on Facebook.’