Charity condemns journalist who claims she abandons dogs after they stop being cute puppies
The writer says she has given away four dogs in four years after struggling to cope with their needs as adults
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A leading animal charity has branded a journalist’s behaviour as “unacceptable” after she admitted she had abandoned four dogs in four years when they stopped being puppies.
Shona Sibary, a freelance journalist, said she had bought four puppies from breeders but given them away once they became fully grown adults and their behaviour began to change.
One dog was given away to a geography teacher “with a passion for hiking up mountains” after her “escapologist tendencies” meant she climbed over fences and dug holes in neighbours gardens.
She says another was given away because he was overly aggressive with other dogs and two others were sent away for killing sheep near her rural Devon home.
She now has now a seven-month old whippet cross cocker spaniel called Clover.
Giles Webber, director of rehoming at the Dogs Trust, said: “Sadly, for every dedicated, responsible dog owner there are too many people just like Shona Sibary who are happy to give up their dog when it loses the cute factor or when it becomes too much effort."
They have invited Ms Sibary and her family to come to one of their rehoming centres to see “the impact of early abandonment on certain dogs.”
Ms Sibary’s actions have also provoked an angry response on social media:
But she defended herself on Twitter saying:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments