Read the grovelling apology issued by a local council after Patrick the Bengal was euthanised in a shocking bungle
- Patrick, 3, was euthanised in June
- Council compensated heartbroken family and issued apology
- READ MORE: Australian animal welfare group sparks outrage for 'heartless' act
A grieving family is mourning the loss of their beloved pet cat following a horrific blunder by the local council.
Three-year-old Bengal Patrick was euthanised by Barunga West Council rangers in Port Broughton on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula in June.
The rangers originally believed that the Bengal was a stray because initial scans didn't find a microchip.
However, a microchip was discovered during a second screening, shortly after Patrick was put down.
Patrick was a Father's Day present for Drew Shepherd from his wife and three children in 2022 and had been a cherished family member.
After Patrick disappeared on June 2, posters were placed around the seaside town and on social media as his frantic family searched for him before they discovered the shocking truth of what happened.
Patrick had been caught in a council trap 150 metres from his home. The traps had been set up in response to complaints about cats 'causing nuisance and impacting local businesses.'
Rangers captured Patrick the next morning and transported him to a local vet clinic, where he was euthanised within an hour.
Patrick the Bengal was accidentally euthanised by council rangers in Port Broughton on June 3
Mr Shepherd says he was initially told by the council that Patrick had not been caught after the family spent the day searching for him.
'The lady on the phone said they 'caught two ferals this morning but definitely not Patrick',' he told the Adelaide Advertiser.
'A guy from the council … [then] said 'after you called we went back just to check and we found that one of those cats is Patrick' and I was like 'brilliant, I'm glad because we've been worried' and he said 'unfortunately he has already been euthanised'.
'My blood was boiling, I was like 'You've got to be joking me, this can't be real'.'
Three months on, the council has since issued a grovelling public apology.
'On behalf of Barunga West Council, we sincerely apologise for the loss of Patrick,' it read.
'We recognise the distress this incident has caused the owner and their family.
'While no action or compensation can undo the loss of a much-loved pet, council accepts responsibility, has learned from this incident, and is committed to ensuring it does not happen again.'
Veterinarians initially failed to find Patrick's microchip but later discovered it during a second screening after he had been put down
Barunga West Council was forced to issue a grovelling apology
The council compensated the family $3,640, plus an additional $300 for emotional distress.
Mr Shepherd said the money does not make up for the loss of Patrick and that his family is still devastated by the ordeal
He spoke out about the heartbreaking saga in the hope that it doesn't happen to any other family.
The council's public apology was formally adopted at Tuesday night's meeting.
Chief executive Maree Wauchope commented that she would have been 'furious and devastated' had the same happened to her pet.
The council has since overhauled its procedures to cease outsourcing compliance and cat management in order to reinstate a 'rehoming-first approach'.
In 2024-25, the council euthanised 19 cats and rehomed eight, but since the first three months of this financial year, it has put down 20 cats and rehomed one.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Barunga West Council for further comment.
