The Taylors say they returned home from Majorca, to find German shepherd Pippin had been unwell during its stay at Low Fallowfield Kennels, South Hetton.

Today's top news...
- Final blow for glass factory.
- Tory victory in by-election.
- Rescuing Rock costs £8billion.
- Angry woman 'used car like weapon'.
- £15m town revamp gets go-ahead.

But the 10-year-old dog's condition deteriorated further and it was put down after the family, of Walkworth Crescent, Westlea, Seaham, decided to end its suffering.

A vet later confirmed the pet had become ill after picking up the Parvo virus.

Paul and wife Pauline, 43, son Jonathan, 11, and daughter Kimberley, 16, say they don't know how their dog caught it as it did not normally come into contact with other animals.

Pippin's boosters were not up-to-date and they now want owners to be aware the virus is spreading through the area.

Kennel bosses have said the animal could have picked up the virus from anywhere and that it carries out a strict cleaning regime to stop the spread of bugs.

They also believe Pippin was never given his vaccinations, which would have protected him from such illnesses, and that had only been a little under the weather and still boisterous and healthy when it was returned to the Taylors.

Paul, who works for Easington District Council, said: "He was 10 years old and he almost grew up with our son.
"We're gutted. He was part of the family."

Pauline, who is treasurer of Westlea and Milldale Residents' Association, said: "The vet said we could take him to the animal hospital in Gateshead, but we couldn't get him in the back of the car as he was so unwell.

"We didn't want him to suffer any more and we wanted to give him a chance, but he was a good age and we didn't want to put him through it."

Joan Hunter, who runs the kennels, said a vet visits the site every Thursday to check its dogs and she does not believe Parvo was caught from her business.

She said kennels are scrubbed daily, bedding from its rescue section is removed, burnt and renewed every day to prevent the spread of bugs, and walkways and paths are bleached with a special detergent designed to kill bacteria specific to dogs.

However, she said it was impossible to stop a dog from picking it up from the dirt of infected dogs when out on walks and from animal-to-animal contact.

Mrs Hunter said: "The dog never had its vaccinations and the vet confirmed that and it was on the booking form.

"We ask they are up-to-date and that has been the blip on my part.
"We've taken advice from the vet and the council and there's no reason for me to close down

"Parvo is out there and owners should make sure their dogs are vaccinated."

Keith Parkinson, environmental health and licensing manager with District of Easington Council said: "Although this is not an environmental health issue, we are working with them in our capacity as the licensing authority, to ensure any potential risk is removed as soon as possible."

The kennels will shut from October 19 until November 4 when a new sewage system will be installed.