A DOG lover is distraught after the remains of her beloved pooch were lost in a pile of ashes following a case of parvovirus.

Rose Smith, 18, of Liden, was told her family pet, Nipper, was suffering from the disease when she took him to Eastcott Veterinary Clinic in August and he was put down 24 hours later.

She requested a separate cremation from other animals but was devastated when they told her that her six-year-old Jack Russell had accidentally been put in a mass cremation and his ashes could not be returned to her.

Rose paid £560 for the service and has since met the director where she was offered £100 and a memorial stone as compensation, which she refused.

“Nipper was worth more than that to us,” she said. “I declined the offer as I feel it unreasonable they should profit from other people’s misery. I also feel pet owners need to be aware of the risk involved with using this business.

“The news was devastating and just added to the emotional distress I was already suffering from losing our family pet and friend.”

She said that Nipper was a house dog and does not believe that enough tests were carried out to confirm that she had the disease, which is passed between dogs.

“We’re so upset we can’t even put pictures up of her – my mum has taken them all down.”

Rose took Nipper to the vets last summer when she noticed she was acting strangely at about 1am.

“I just knew something was wrong and that was the only vet I knew that does call-outs,” she said.

“I booked an emergency appointment and 24 hours later Nipper was put to sleep.

“I asked Eastcott if it was possible to have my Nipper’s ashes back as a memory as I’m sure any animal lover would understand.

“I received a call the next morning informing me that she would be cremated alone and that I could then collect her ashes to take home.

“A couple of days later, I received another call to inform me a terrible mistake had been made and Nipper had been put in the wrong bag and sent for a mass cremation.”

Peter Southerden, one of the directors of Eastcott Vets, said he was unable to comment on the matter.

Parvovirus plagued the town last summer and despite actions taken by Swindon’s pet owners, the numbers of cases increased.