A couple have told of their “heartache” after their beloved German Shepherd went missing while in the care of a couple who were later found to be illegal dog boarders.
Rachel and Owen Dempsey, of Fazakerley, were described by a judge as “incompetent at best” when sentencing them for running an unlicensed dog sitting service, Liverpool City Council said.
They were banned from boarding dogs for seven years and owning them for five years.
Lynn and Terry Maher, of Halewood, were on their way to collect their dog Shadow in October when the Dempseys rang to said he had run off on a walk. The couple have never found their “gentle giant”.
“They deceived us; we’d never have left him with them if we knew they weren’t licensed.” Mr Maher added.
Mr and Mrs Maher had been on a holiday to America to celebrate their ruby wedding for three weeks.
Their other dog, Dexter, who was Shadow’s companion, had died a few months before and they did not want to put him in kennels on his own.
They opted to put him in with the Dempseys who told them he would be staying in their family home with no other dogs.
Mr Maher said: “I didn’t see any negative reviews online and thought it would be better for him to stay in a home environment with a family.”
When they returned from America on 12 October, they contacted the Dempseys to say they were dropping off their suitcases and coming to collect Shadow.
He said Mrs Dempsey told him she was going to take the then eight-year-old dog on a final walk but Mr Maher said not to as they would be there soon.
A few minutes later, they called to say Shadow had pulled from the lead and ran off from her on a path on the Liverpool Loop Line, a former railway line which is a popular walking and cycling route.
Mr Maher said they have never found Shadow, who had never run off before, despite family and friends as well as dog charities such as Bindi’s Lost & Found Pets helping in their frantic search for him.
It has included using thermal drones, a £5,000 reward and driving three hours for potential sightings of their beloved dog.
The Mahers said they have had no help in searching for Shadow from the Dempseys and fears he died in their care, reportedly like another dog.
Liverpool City Council said it launched its investigation into the Dempseys after receiving reports a dog had died under their care and Shadow’s disappearance.
“We have loved and cherished Shadow since he was seven weeks old and this has destroyed us,” Mr Maher said.
The 65-year-old said the torment of not knowing what has happened to him has been “soul-destroying”.
Mrs Maher said: “We miss him more than any words can ever say.
“He was a gentle giant, very laid back.
“He would frequently climb on my knee for a cuddle.”
She added: “Everyone absolutely loved him.”
The couple still cling on to the hope of finding Shadow and still go regularly to potential sightings of him – from as far afield as Barnsley and Wales.
“I will never give up looking for him,” said Mr Maher.
