Rebecca Belote’s four‑year‑old pug, Cha Cha, was slated for euthanasia at Senioa Animal Hospital in Coweta County after a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis. The family paid $716.50 for diagnostics, the euthanasia procedure, and a communal cremation. When a clinic employee took the dog home, the family discovered the truth via a Facebook post, learning that Cha Cha had been living with the employee’s wife for months and appeared healthy.
According to Belote, the employee’s wife confirmed that Cha Cha had been thriving while staying with them. She said, “They both took it kind of hard,” adding that her son had been especially attached to the dog. The family’s confusion turned to outrage when the clinic retrieved the dog and carried out the euthanasia despite the dog’s apparent health.
Belote has lodged a formal complaint with the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine, demanding a full investigation into the clinic’s practices. The board will review the case in a forthcoming hearing scheduled for the next quarter, and the clinic faces potential sanctions if evidence confirms misconduct.
Veterinary experts note that diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs can be fatal but is treatable with intensive care, and that euthanasia should only be considered after all options are exhausted. The incident has sparked debate over vet clinic accountability and the ethics of pet euthanasia, especially in small communities.