AN ANIMAL-LOVER whose pet was mistakenly euthanised has won a national award for her work to protect others from the same fate. 

Dawn Ashley, from Benfleet, won the Special Recognition trophy at the Mirror People’s Pet Awards, presented at London’s Grosvenor House last night. 

She has campaigned to change the law to stop healthy rescue pets being euthanised by vets after her dog, called Tuk, died because of a mix-up by vets. 

Ms Ashley, 59, said: “I am so proud and excited to be receiving this award. I am a bit overwhelmed too! 

“It is four years this month since Tuk was unnecessarily euthanised, so this award bearing his name is just incredible. 

“My friend Sue Williams and I have been campaigning for recognition of the support system that many rescues and breeders provide to their animals via the microchip for three years, as it is an area of microchip system that has not previously been highlighted, and so to have achieved so much is absolutely amazing.” 

Tuk was a five-week-old, mioritic shepherd puppy that was living on the streets in Romania before being re-homed in the UK. 

Unfortunately, the adoption process went wrong and despite Tuk being a healthy 18-month-old, he was euthanised by vet who failed to scan his original chip. 

His death inspired the campaign for ”Tuk’s Law” to make sure no healthy animal can be euthanised unless authority to do so is confirmed.

And Dawn has been working with the the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the British Veterinarian Association to try to bring about a change in the Code of Professional Conduct in recognising the scanning of microchips prior to euthanasia.

She said: “We are continuing to lobby government to ensure that all microchip details are confirmed, including the rescue back-up contact details for the rescue organisation, on the original database prior to the euthanasia of a healthy or treatable animal. 

“It is so important, as it is a lifetime security net for the vulnerable and those without a voice.”