A mum who paid for a premium funeral package after her beloved dog died was shocked to find his ashes were missing from the wooden casket.
Shana Williams' Shih tzu, Sam, had been by her side for 16 years when he died earlier this week.
Sam had recently become ill with cancer and began to have difficulty walking and standing when his owner had to make a heart breaking decision.
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Mum of five Shana, from Skelmersdale, told the ECHO she had taken her dog to Barn Lodge Vets in Ormskirk to have him put to sleep to stop his suffering.
Following Sam's death, Shana claims she paid £175 for a funeral package that included a quality wooden casket for Sam's ashes with his name on a plaque, a picture of his paw print and a certificate, a card and candle.
With the moral support of her friend, John Paul, she brought the casket home from the vets yesterday in a taxi with the intention of having a small funeral ceremony in her garden with her children.
Shana said: "Me and my kids had a little sunflower pot in the garden. We were going to put his picture next to the plant.
"But my mate John Paul said, 'Shana...'
"I picked up the casket and screamed my head off and said, 'are they having a laugh?'
"I paid all that money to get home and find out my dog's ashes are not even in the box!
"I thought oh my word, where is my dog?"
Shana said not only were Sam's ashes missing she was also unhappy with the quality of the wooden box they were supposed to have been supplied in. She claims it felt "cheap" and was chipped at the back.
After phoning the vets and demanding to know what had happened to Sam's ashes, Shana said the receptionist looked on their system and told her that her dog's ashes would not be there until the next day.
Shana said: "So why have I got a phone call to verify that I can go and collect my dog? I said I want reimbursing for my whole amount of money.
"Altogether, it was £275 to put the dog down and the cost of the casket - it's pathetic."
Shana added: "I went down to Barn Lodge this morning and showed them the empty casket. The lady on the desk was absolutely shocked that there were no ashes in it, and the state of the casket."
Shana said she was told Sam's ashes would be sent out to her today. However, she said she has lost trust in the business after what she sees as their poor service.
She said: "How do I know later today when my dog comes home in a little sandwich bag that that's my dog?
"The amount of money I spent on my dog. I wouldn't have paid for a cheap box, if I knew he was coming home in a bag I would have looked on eBay and got a decent casket."
The ECHO contacted Barn Lodge veterinary practice in Ormskirk for comment.
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