11d ⢠General discussion
đ¨ Why âAnyone Can Be a Dog Sitterâ Is a Dangerous Myth đ¨
This week, a deeply upsetting case has hit the news â and itâs one that every pet owner and pet professional needs to pay attention to.
A dog sitter, Owen Dempsey, was jailed after violently assaulting a grieving dog owner who had just been handed their dead pet⌠in a plastic bag.
The sitter had advertised his services on Facebook.
No professional checks.
No licensing.
No safeguarding.
The dogâs owners were abroad when they received a FaceTime call telling them their 3-year-old French Bulldog had died. They flew home early in shock and grief, only to be handed their dogâs body â which was allegedly not frozen and already decomposing.
When the owners questioned what had happened, the situation escalated into violence.
The sitter has since:
- Been jailed for 16 weeks
- Been convicted of assault
- Admitted breaching a community order for operating as an unlicensed dog boarder
- Been described by probation as showing no remorse or willingness to change
â ď¸ Why This Matters (Especially for This Community)
This isnât about fear-mongering.
Itâs about standards, accountability, and professionalism.
Too often we see:
- âDog sitter availableâ Facebook posts
- No insurance
- No licensing
- No training
- No oversight
- No understanding of canine health, stress, or emergency protocols
And when things go wrong?
Owners are left devastated â and dogs pay the price.
â
What Responsible Pet Care SHOULD Look Like
Whether youâre a pet owner or a professional, these are non-negotiables:
âď¸ Licensed where required
âď¸ Fully insured
âď¸ Clear emergency procedures
âď¸ Transparent communication
âď¸ Proper storage and handling in the event of a death
âď¸ Emotional intelligence and professionalism in high-stress situations
âď¸ A track record you can verify â not just a Facebook post
đž A Final Thought
Loving dogs is not enough.
Good intentions are not enough.
Caring for animals â and the people who love them â is a serious responsibility.
If youâre a pet professional:
This is why training, regulation, and standards matter.
If youâre a pet owner:
Please, please donât be afraid to ask questions and check credentials.
đŹ Letâs talk:
What checks do you think should be mandatory before someone is allowed to care for other peopleâs pets?
â Jess đ
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đ¨ Why âAnyone Can Be a Dog Sitterâ Is a Dangerous Myth đ¨
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