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Family took dog to be euthanized. Months later, they learned pug was living with vet employee
A Georgia family is grieving the loss of their beloved pug after discovering that the dog they believed had been euthanized months earlier was reportedly still alive and living with an employee of the veterinary hospital.
Rebecca Belote and her family took their four-year-old pug, Cha Cha, to Senoia Animal Hospital in March 2026 after she became ill. The family says they were told the dog was suffering from organ failure and diabetic ketoacidosis and agreed to euthanasia after hearing about the seriousness of her condition.
Months later, a photograph on social media led to a discovery that left the family searching for answers.
A Heartbreaking Decision About Cha Cha’s Health
According to Belote, veterinary staff advised the family that Cha Cha was seriously ill. Faced with the prospect of expensive treatment and uncertainty about her recovery, the family agreed to have the pug euthanized.
They paid $716.50 for the visit and related services, including euthanasia and communal cremation, believing they had said their final goodbye.
Cha Cha was especially close to Belote’s 17-year-old son. The two even had matching hoodies, and he often carried the small dog rather than letting her walk.
For the family, losing Cha Cha was an emotional experience. They had no reason to believe the dog might still be alive.
A Facebook Photo Changed Everything
Months later, Belote was scrolling through Facebook when she spotted a photograph of a dog she immediately recognized as Cha Cha.
The image prompted questions about what had happened after the family left the veterinary hospital. Belote said a former employee told her that Cha Cha had not been euthanized and had instead been taken home by a female employee of the clinic.
Belote also contacted the employee’s husband, who reportedly confirmed that his wife had kept the pug and said the dog was doing well.
The family was devastated by the possibility that Cha Cha had survived the original appointment without their knowledge. Belote said they would have wanted the opportunity to discuss other care options if they had known the dog was still alive.
Family Alleges Cha Cha Was Later Euthanized
Belote alleges that after the family sought answers, Cha Cha was taken back from the employee and euthanized. By then, the family says, they had lost the opportunity to bring their pet home.
The allegations have drawn attention because they raise serious questions about communication, consent and the responsibilities of veterinary professionals when an owner authorizes euthanasia.
Senoia Animal Hospital has denied the allegations, according to local news reports. The hospital’s legal representative has reportedly advised it not to discuss the matter publicly.
The family’s account has not established every detail of what happened to Cha Cha, and the allegations should be distinguished from independently confirmed findings.
Complaint Filed as Family Seeks Answers
Belote has filed a complaint with the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine. She has also said she is seeking answers about how Cha Cha was handled after the family believed the euthanasia procedure had been completed.
The case follows a separate controversy involving Senoia Animal Hospital, in which another family discovered that a cat they believed had been euthanized was reportedly still alive and living with a hospital employee.
The incidents have raised concerns about the trust families place in veterinary providers during emotionally difficult decisions involving their pets.
For Belote and her family, however, the issue remains deeply personal. Cha Cha was not simply a pet but a beloved member of the household, particularly for her teenage son.
Their experience has left them mourning the dog they thought they had lost and seeking answers about what happened in the months that followed.
Source: WSB-TV
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