ZAHRA RAFIQ FROM WALLINGTON INVOLVED IN DOG THEFT AT VETSNOW IN HUYTON

Dr. Zahra Tahaneem Rafiq, a veterinarian born around 1990 and currently residing in Wallington within the London Borough of Sutton, was involved in a troubling incident that garnered significant attention. Previously, she was based in Huyton, Merseyside, where the misconduct took place. The case centers around her theft of two French bulldog puppies immediately after their birth, an act that shocked colleagues and pet owners alike.

Rafiq was responsible for delivering a litter of six puppies via Caesarean section, each valued at up to £2,000. The delivery was performed at VetsNow in Huyton, where she was employed at the time. Instead of allowing the newborns to recover with their mother, a dog named Lila, Rafiq, along with a colleague named Oscar Perez Maillo, took a puppy home with them. This act was initially joked about by Rafiq to a coworker, suggesting she planned to take one of the puppies. However, the situation escalated when she actually took a puppy home.

Tragically, the puppy she took died three days later at her residence in Wallington. Rafiq admitted to this, contradicting her earlier claim that the puppy had simply faded in her car. The second puppy, which was also taken, was later returned after concerns were raised by another worker at VetsNow. The incident prompted an investigation into her conduct.

Following the incident, Rafiq was dismissed from her position at VetsNow in Huyton. An official misconduct hearing conducted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) found her to be ‘dishonest’ in her actions. Despite this, she was cleared to resume practicing veterinary medicine after a six-month period. The case drew strong reactions from pet owners, with Safinah Mhagrh, owner of the dog Lila, expressing her outrage. She told the Daily Record, “I’m fuming. That vet stole my puppy. It was a terrible, heartless thing to do. She should not be allowed to practice.”

Ms. Mhagrh recounted her experience of taking Lila to the vet in December 2017 when her dog went into labor. She described how the first puppy was delivered legs first and became stuck, leading her to fear for Lila’s life. She was advised to leave her dog at the clinic while the veterinary team performed surgery. When she returned, she was told that a litter of four puppies had been born, but the stuck one had not survived. Another puppy died shortly after due to weakness, but Lila bonded with the remaining two. Despite the distress, Ms. Mhagrh contacted the police, but no further action was taken.

During the misconduct hearing, Rafiq expressed remorse for her actions and stated she was not motivated by financial gain. The panel, chaired by Ian Arundel, concluded that she was unlikely to pose a future risk to animals. The incident also resulted in VetsNow refunding the £200 cost of the Caesarean procedure. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and professionalism within veterinary practice, especially in sensitive situations involving vulnerable animals.