A DOTING dog owner who planned to scatter her pet's ashes under a special tree in her garden was devastated to learn the remains had been mixed up among those of other dogs.

Emma Flavell, 32, of Chapel Lane, Thurnscoe, had been prepared to pay almost £200 so that she could keep the ashes of her beloved rottweiler Malibu who had died last month.

After having 12-year-old bitch Malibu put down at Arncliffe Veterinary Centre in Wath she asked for Malibu to have a private cremation.

Emma was saddened to discover that due to a mix-up she had been cremated alongside other dogs so she was left with no ashes to scatter.

A spokeswoman from Arncliffe Veterinary Centre said that they offered sincere apologies to Mrs Flavell.

She said: "Unfortunately a human error occurred so she did not get sent for private cremation.

"We offer our sincerest apologies to Mrs Flavell and have waived the euthanasia charge."