This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
    • Politics
    • Transport
    • Lifestyle
    • Community
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Education
    • Sport
    • Harrogate
    • Ripon
    • Knaresborough
    • Boroughbridge
    • Pateley Bridge
    • Masham
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts

Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

  • News & Features
  • Your Area
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Sport
Advertise with us
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Latest News

We want to hear from you

Tell us your opinions and views on what we cover

Contact us

Register for our newsletter

Free Newsletter Sign Up

Join now
Connect with us
  • About us
  • Correction and complaints
Download on App StoreDownload on Google Play Store
  • Website Terms & Conditions
  • Subscription Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Comments Participation T&Cs
Trust In Journalism

Copyright © 2020 The Stray Ferret Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Site by Show + Tell

Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    29

    Jul

    Last Updated: 29/07/2026
    Community
    Community

    Police investigating death of dog in care of Harrogate dog-walker

    by Ellie McKinnell

    | 29 Jul, 2026
    Comment

    0

    633296503_1310418951113325_2178066090043437991_n
    Police on patrol.

    Police are investigating after a dog died while under the care of a dog walking company.

    Birchfield Dog Walking, based in Harrogate, confirmed that one of the dogs in its care passed away on July 9, and said it was ‘utterly heartbroken’.

    Owner Harriet Birch said in a statement an investigation had been carried out and the member of staff who was looking after the dog had been ‘relieved of their duties’ and was ‘no longer working with’ the company.

    She also said:

    Whilst this incident was the result of human error, we are undertaking a full review of our processes to ensure best practice at all times and to do everything we can to mitigate against a repeat of such an incident in the future.

    The Stray Ferret put more questions to Birchfield Dog Walking but it declined to answer.

    The owner of the dog declined to comment due to ‘ongoing RSPCA and police investigations’.

    A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: 

    We will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints that are made to us about animal welfare, but unfortunately we are unable to discuss specific incidents or individuals. We know this is frustrating, but we must act within the law at all times, as releasing information could prejudice a future investigation or could lead to us being fined. 

    North Yorkshire Police said it was unable to confirm details of the incident as we didn't have the crime reference number.

    The Stray Ferret will report on any updates when they occur. 

    Star'A national scandal': Animal rights protesters demonstrate in HarrogateStarPlan to convert Killinghall field into dog walking area